PhilCAT provides the opportunity for host member groups to serve warm and meaningful discussions with partners via the Kapihan.

Good relations are rekindled and renewed every once so often as member groups gather quarterly to share a little more about themselves and provide the “latest goings-on in TB” . PhilCAT has provided the avenue for partners to host informal gatherings where lively dialogues are carried on mainly about how TB activities can be enhanced through partnership. This is in keeping with PhilCAT’s vision of a TB-free Philippines through its twin mission of TB control and membership empowerment. These and more - over a cup of coffee.

Since the last quarter of 2007, four sessions of the “Kapihan” have been whipped up by PhilCAT in response to the clamor of member organizations to share what they do for TB and, in turn, to know what other groups do. Organized by the PhilCAT Secretariat, the Kapihan is attended by delegates from member groups coming from both the private and public sectors. Member organizations take turns in hosting one Kapihan every quarter. The host ensures an informative presentation about itself – its history, its structure and its profile as a TB agency.

The first brew was served at the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. (PTSI) Administration Building hosted by no less than its Executive Director Mr. Rex Lores and Quezon Institute Medical Director Dr. Elizabeth Cadena. She introduced PTSI as a long-time partner of the Department of Health (DOH) in TB, having been inaugurated in 1910. Dr. Ma. Imelda Quelapio, PhilCAT Chairperson, communicated the concept and objectives of the Kapihan, that came out from a series of focus group discussions (FGD) among members who felt and expressed the need to “get to know the other member organizations and be updated with their activities.”

This expression was serendipitously in line with PhilCAT’s desire to strengthen its membership. In the 2003 PhilCAT Strategic Planning, Dean E. Morato of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) said that “PhilCAT has been very successful and has a very big head, denoting very few but very vocal people, spearheading the drive against TB, trying to get noticed, and “meowing” all over the place (or loudly advocating) until it got heard…What is left for PhilCAT to do is to make its body bigger, i.e., the member organizations to be able to take on the huge war against TB which could be described as a very big rat. The path has been paved and what is left to do is to make the coalition stronger.”

Through the Kapihan, the interaction with member groups facilitates the creation of networks and linkages thereby enhancing the TB services they offer in partnership with the National TB Control Program (NTP). It is also a suitable venue for the DOH to make known important developments and progress pertaining to the various initiatives of the TB program. At the PTSI, Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, PhilCAT Board’s Vice Chairperson, reminded the members that “the NTP is a top priority health program ensuring a strong and sustainable commitment from the national government.” Through an open forum, she and Dr. Rosalind Vianzon, National NTP Manager, addressed inquiries from the members regarding the Rolling Continuing Channel of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, project fund utilization, prioritization and expansion of the local government units’ (LGU) support, and guideline implementation in childhood TB. Dr. Quelapio explained that while PhilCAT is a complement to DOH’s strong anti-TB drive, the NTP solely holds the mandate of TB control in the country.

In December 2007, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) took its turn in hosting the second Kapihan at the Pearl Garden Hotel in Malate, Manila with PhilCAT Executive Director Ms. Amy Sarmiento as emcee. PBSP Executive Director Ms. Jaz Gutierrez welcomed the participants by introducing her organization, which aims “to be the leader in promoting the business sector and commitment to social development.” TB LINC, the implementer of PBSP’s TB project on improved policy, financing, regulatory environment, improved systems and improved utilization of services, made its presentation ending with ideas on how the member groups can forge ties with them.

The Kapihan has turned out to also be PhilCAT’s convenient way of giving updates to its member groups. At the PBSP meeting, Ms. Sarmiento announced Prof. Nina Castillo-Carandang as Chair of the upcoming 15th PhilCAT Annual Convention’s (Scientific Committee), who then invited members to participate in the various committees, and Dr. Luz Revita as Chair of the 2008 World TB Day festivities. The PhilCAT Executive Director also provided updates on its Global Fund project on Public-private Mix DOTS (PMMD) while Dr. Vianzon gave a brief rundown of the NTP initiatives in PPMD, TB in children, multidrug-resistant TB, and TB/HIV.

Meanwhile, the World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (WVDFI) played host for 2008’s 3rd Kapihan in its gleaming edifice along Quezon Avenue. The Director of Children in Ministry Ms. Dilsy Arbutante cordially greeted the attendees on behalf of her organization with a presentation of WVFI’s noble vision of “life in all its fullness for every child…” drawing commendations and pledges of support from the member groups. WVFI’s TB project is on social mobilization creating and engaging community-based TB Task Forces in fighting the disease.

Subsequently, the PBSP through Ms. Rowena Sugay reiterated its cause to the participants, which is the “empowerment of the poor by promoting business sector leadership and poverty alleviation programs.” Ms. Sarmiento thereafter presented Ayala Foundation’s offer of collaboration inviting PhilCAT members to submit proposals to donors abroad. Updates on the 15th Annual Convention was given by Dr. Bontuyan of the NTP, this year’s overall Convention Chair.

In this Kapihan, Dr. Quelapio expressed her delight on the interest of member groups in attending this gathering. Indeed, a strengthened membership enables a more meaningful contribution to the government’s TB control efforts. She invited everyone to visit its website (www.philcat.org) where important guidelines and documents pertaining to TB have been uploaded for everyone’s reference, including the Operating Guidelines for Private-Public Mix DOTS (PPMD), the Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB (CUP), the International Standards of TB Care (ISTC), Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB (PMDT), among others.

The fourth Kapihan was hosted by the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) in July at its new building, the Philippine International Center for TB, Amorsolo St. corner Urban Road in Makati City. Despite storm Helen brewing in the metropolis that day, the 16 member groups present held their show of force. Dr. Thelma Tupasi, President and Executive Director warmly welcomed the members by introducing the Foundation’s vision “Health for all,” looking towards “a world where everyone enjoys the right to health and economic productivity.” An audio-visual presentation of TDF followed showing its humble beginnings as an NGO founded by a group of Doctors in 1984 which has now progressed into a growing organization as primary recipient of five GFATM projects for TB, AIDS and Malaria. Dr. Tupasi further explained that the main focus of TDF’s partnership with the NTP is the management of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) through diagnosis, treatment, training, and community engagement. She encouraged everyone to collaborate with the TDF particularly by referring DOTS failures and other drug-resistant suspects to the facility. With this, possibilities on partnership with TDF were discussed with the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, the German Doctors, Center for TB in Children, the PPMD units that were present, and other member groups . At the close of the gathering, Dr. Oliveros took the opportunity to keep the co-advocates posted on the PhilCAT Convention on August 28 and 29.

The next Kapihan was hosted by the Center for TB in Children and the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City on Sept. 29, 2008 at the Conference Room of the Dr. Fe del Mundo Children’s Hospital.

Indeed, in a cozy and relaxed setting among colleagues with a singular purpose, every Kapihan serves as a fruitful get-together as members go home to their own organizations with a better knowledge on what others do for TB and with ideas on future collaboration.