The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT), led the commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) on 24 March 2026, bringing together government officials, health experts, and development partners in a unified call to end TB.
The activity underscored the urgent need to raise public awareness on the severe health, social, and economic impacts of TB, while strengthening collaborative efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health threat.
The event brought together senior officials and representatives from government and partner organizations, including USEC DEO L. MARCO of the Department of Justice (DOJ); USEC GLORIA BALBOA, MD, MPH, MHA, CESO III, of the Department of Health (DOH); DR. ARNOLD C. ABALOS, City Health Officer of Mandaluyong; DR. FREDDIE PELEO, National Chairperson, PhilCAT; DIR. AURORA QUERRI of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc.; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EUGENE CACCAM of the Culion Foundation Inc.; MR. ARNYL ARANETA of the Philippine Business for Social Progress; DR. EUNYONG KO of the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines; JSINSP FERDINAND CHRISTIAN L SOLEDAD, MD, of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP); MR. ARK PAROJINOG of the DOH Health Promotion Bureau; along with their respective delegations.
The program formally opened with a prayer, followed by welcome remarks from CTCSUPT MA CECILIA V VILLANUEVA, Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Director General for Reformation (DDGR), and Director, Directorate for Health and Welfare Services (DHWS), who represented GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, Director General of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
In her message, CTCSUPT VILLANUEVA expressed gratitude to partner agencies for choosing CIW as the venue, emphasizing the significance of bringing vital health interventions directly to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). She highlighted that the observance of World TB Day within correctional facilities reflects a shared commitment to inclusive and equitable healthcare.
In her keynote message, USEC BALBOA delivered a strong call to action aligned with the global target of ending TB by 2030. She underscored that TB is both preventable and curable, urging the public to overcome stigma and seek timely medical attention. “Hindi dapat ikahiya ang TB, ito ay nagagamot at naaagapan,” she stressed, reinforcing the importance of early detection and treatment adherence.
A powerful testimony from a formerly infected PDL who has since been cured provided a human face to the campaign, illustrating that recovery is possible with proper care and support.
Messages of support were likewise delivered by DR. ABALOS, who reaffirmed the commitment of the Mandaluyong City Government to strengthen local TB control programs, and by DR. PELEO, who emphasized sustained multi-sectoral collaboration to accelerate TB elimination efforts. A message from JUSTICE SECRETARY FREDDERICK A VIDA, delivered by USEC MARCO, echoed the justice sector’s support in ensuring access to healthcare services within correctional facilities.
The event concluded with an active case-finding initiative led by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. and the Philippine Business for Social Progress. The screening covered both personnel and PDL, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis in preventing the spread of TB in high-risk environments.
Through initiatives such as this, stakeholders reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat tuberculosis, particularly among vulnerable populations, and to move closer toward a TB-free Philippines.
CSSUPT DAISY SEVILLA-CASTILLOTE, CIW Superintendent, whose steadfast support helped make the activity possible, likewise emphasized the institution’s continued commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of both personnel and PDL through sustained partnerships and proactive healthcare programs.
CO1 Mavareen S Sigcop- Denis
Contributor
