EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 187 - INSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE AND UNIFIED POLICY FOR THE TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem, ranking sixth in 1998 in the 10 leading causes of death and illness in the Philippines; 

WHEREAS, the National TB Program (NTP) of the Department of Health (DOH) has made significant advances in improving the quality and extent of its control efforts;

WHEREAS, the DOH has forged a partnership with the Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) to develop a “Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB Control in the Philippines” in collaboration with other government agencies and private sectors to harmonize and unify the TB control efforts in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the “Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB Control in the Philippines” adopting the DOTS strategy (5 components) of the National TB Program (NTP) shall be the basis of implementation of TB control among the concerned stakeholders.

• Direct sputum smear examination shall be the initial diagnostic tool in case finding

• Standardized chemotherapy in accordance with the National TB Program,

• Recording and Reporting of cases shall be on the standardized National TB program (NTP) to be implemented in all health centers 

• Direct Observed Treatment (DOT) shall be used as the strategy to ensure patient compliance

• Political commitment to ensure sustained, comprehensive implementation of National TB program activities.

1. Department of Health

2. Department of Education

3. Department of Interior and Local Government

4. Department of National Defense

5. Department of Justice — Bureau of Corrections

6. Department of Social Welfare and Development

7. Department of Agriculture 

8. Department of Agrarian Reform

9. Department of Science and Technology

10. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

11. Department of Labor and Employment

12. Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration

13. National Economic and Development Authority

14. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

15. Government Service Insurance System

16. Social Security System

17. Employees Compensation Commission
   and enjoin the following private sector organizations,

18. Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (with 52 members)

19. Philippine Medical Association  

20. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines

21. Employers Confederation of the Philippines

22. Association of Health Maintenance Organizations of the Philippines