The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening coordination with government agencies, local governments, health experts, and international partners as part of a broader effort to improve the country’s preparedness against emerging and re-emerging disease threats.
The initiative forms part of the rollout of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), a nationwide framework designed to enhance disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, response systems, and inter-agency coordination involving human, animal, and environmental health.
The DA joined the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units, development partners, academic institutions, and private sector stakeholders during the NAPHS Inception and Implementation Readiness Sessions held on May 14 at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel.
The sessions focused on implementation strategies, operational planning, performance monitoring, reporting systems, and long-term preparedness measures aimed at strengthening the country’s response to future health threats.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa stressed the importance of coordinated action among institutions in confronting public health risks that cut across sectors.
Representing the DA, Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. Constante Palabrica reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to stronger collaboration under the country’s health security agenda.
“The Department of Agriculture supports a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in confronting emerging and re-emerging disease threats. Strong coordination among national agencies, local governments, academe, development partners and the private sector is vital to ensure effective surveillance, preparedness and response for both animal and public health concerns,” the DA said.
Officials said the initiative also reinforces the country’s adoption of the “One Health” framework, which recognizes the close connection between human health, animal health, and environmental health in preventing and managing disease outbreaks.
The activity also featured messages of support from participating institutions, including the World Health Organization, as well as the ceremonial unveiling of the NAPHS logo and a document signing among stakeholders to formalize support for the program’s implementation.
Government agencies said stronger collaboration and integrated planning are essential to improving the country’s readiness against future pandemics, zoonotic diseases, food safety threats, and other public health emergencies.