RP to Chair Asean Health Ministers Meeting on Regional Response to “A/H1N1”
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2 May 2009 – The Philippines will chair a meeting of health ministers from the 10 countries of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next week to discuss the region’s collective response to the H1N1
influenza A strain (A/H1N1).
The ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting will be held in Bangkok on May 8 as ASEAN member states raised their
alert levels and put in place precautionary measures to address the outbreak.
“The meeting would provide an opportunity to assess the situation and to coordinate a collective regional
response to this global health concern,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said.
The Philippines, led by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, will preside over the meeting as the current
chair of the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting framework.
Over the weekend, the governments of Hong Kong SAR and South Korea confirmed the first cases of A/H1N1
in Asia.
In Jakarta, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan announced that ASEAN’s Plus Three dialogue partners
namely, China, Japan, and South Korea, have been invited to the meeting.
The meeting will also help prepare for the 62nd Annual World Health Assembly in Geneva from 18 to 27 May
2009. The ASEAN Health Ministers may also explore the need to convene the 1st East Asia Health Ministers
Meeting to discuss this issue.
In a teleconference organized by the ASEAN Secretariat last April 30, ASEAN health experts stressed that
harmonizing measures and initiatives is essential in the region’s efforts to respond to the current outbreak of
A/H1N1.
Regular sharing of information among ASEAN would also be helpful to address the situation.
While no cases have been reported in Southeast Asia, measures have been put in place such as screening of
arrivals from affected countries using thermal scanners and health declaration forms.
The ASEAN Secretariat has also established a Coordinating Centre to monitor developments related to
A/H1N1 in the region. The Centre is tasked to monitor and collate information on situational updates and
precautionary measures taken by the ASEAN member states.
ASEAN has created a system to draw from the stockpile in the event there is a pandemic. In cooperation with
Japan, ASEAN has a stockpile of 500,000 courses of antivirals (Tamiflu and Relenza) stockpiled in Singapore
and an additional 500,000 courses have been distributed to ASEAN member states.
Moreover, ASEAN, together with the World Health Organization, held exercises in 2007, 2008 and 2009 to
familiarize regional health officials and to ensure a most direct and efficient delivery of Tamiflu and Relenza to
the requesting countries. Tamiflu and Relenza can be used to treat symptoms of swine influenza and to
prevent disease among those who are infected or exposed to the virus.
According to Secretary-General Pitsuwan, the ASEAN Secretariat is in full alert 24 hours a day, seven days a
week to anticipate any request for the antiviral drugs by the Member States.
Meanwhile, ASEAN public health officials are looking at the possibility of discussing the issue of A/H1N1 with
the Atlanta-based US Centre for Disease Control. Secretary-General Pitsuwan is discussing the matter with U.
S. Ambassador to ASEAN, Scott Marciel.
The Department of Health (DOH) has reported that there are no reports yet of A/H1N1 among humans in the
Philippines in relation to the outbreak that originated from Mexico and other affected countries.
The DOH has stepped up its surveillance and bio-security measures in all international and local airports to
prevent the entry of the virus. The Bureau of Quarantine has already instituted precautionary measures in
major ports and possible entry points of the virus in the country.
All quarantine stations are already implementing health surveillance measures including thermal scanning of
all arriving passengers from countries with reported swine flu cases. Travellers will also be required to fill up a
Health Declaration Checklist to screen for potential signs and symptoms and possible exposure to the virus.
A Health Alert Notice (HAN) on flu-like illness or Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) will also be distributed to all
arriving travellers especially from the U.S. and Mexico. END
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Undersecretary Conejos Welcomes 23 Filipino Crew of Mt Stolt Strength
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2 May 2009 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos Jr. welcomes the
23 freed Filipino crew members of MT Stolt Strength. Capt. Dexter R. Custodio, spokesman of Sagana
Shipping, Inc., extends the company’s thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the support and assistance to the
Philippine Government and local departments, Office of the Vice President, DFA, MARINA, DOLE, POEA and
OWWA, the Naval Forces of USA, China, Germany, Spain, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Manila and the
International Organizations: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations
(UKMTO), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO), European Union Naval
Forces (EU NAVFOR) and International Maritime Bureau (IMB). (photo by: Benjamin Remo, DFA-PISU)
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Filipinos in Hong Kong and South Korea remain Free from “A/H1N1” despite Two
Confirmed Cases in Asia
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2 May 2009 – Filipinos living and working in Hong Kong SAR and South Korea remain unaffected by H1N1
influenza A strain (A/H1N1), popularly known as swine flu.
This, as the governments of the two Asian countries confirmed separate reports of A/H1N1 cases.
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong reiterated its advisory last April 30 for the Filipino community
to take all necessary health precautions in light of the confirmation by the Hong Kong Government of Asia’s
first case of A/H1N1.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang confirmed on Friday that a patient, who is a Mexican citizen,
developed fever after arriving in Hong Kong via Shanghai on April 30. Tsang said tests by both the Hong Kong’
s Department of Health and the University of Hong Kong confirmed the diagnosis.
Consul General Claro Cristobal advises everyone to observe the precautionary measures listed in the
Consulate’s April 30 advisory, and for anyone who develops flu-like symptoms to call immediately the Center
for Heath Protection’s 24-hour hotline (2125-1111) for updates and inquiries on A/H1N1.
Cristobal has designated Vice Consul Val Roque as focal person for the Consulate on this health emergency,
and invites the Filipino community to contact the Consulate at 915-54023 for updates or inquiries.
There are some 150,000 Filipinos residing and working in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Management reported today that a 51-year-old
woman, quarantined after returning from a trip to Mexico, has been confirmed as having the A/H1N1 strain.
She has recovered and may return to her home in couple of days.
However, South Korea is reportedly monitoring another woman suspected of having contracted the influenza
virus after picking up the 51-year-old woman at the airport. Her blood sample is now being examined by U.S.
health authorities.
If confirmed, it will be the first human-to-human transmission reported in South Korea.
The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, headed by Ambassador Luis Cruz, continues to monitor developments
related to A/H1N1. There are 50,000 Filipinos living and working in South Korea. END
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23 Filipino Seafarers Home; International Cooperation Lauded
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2 May 2009 – The 23 Filipino seafarers on board Philippine-flagged MT Stolt Strength arrived in Manila today
after the vessel and its crew were released by pirates last April 20.
International cooperation played a key role in the release and repatriation of the chemical tanker.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. led the welcome party at the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport which included families, relatives and friends of the Filipino seafarers.
The crew, headed by Filipino Captain Abelardo Pacheco, arrived in Manila from Amsterdam at 8:45 a.m. In
Oman, the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and local agency Salalah Shipping and Marine Services assisted
the Filipinos until their departure for Amsterdam.
In a statement, Sagana Shipping, Inc., the registered owner of MT Stolt Strength, extended its gratitude and
appreciation to the Philippine Government specifically the Office of the Vice President, the Department of
Foreign Affairs, MARINA, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment
Agency, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for the support and assistance extended to the
vessel and its crew.
The shipping company also thanked the Naval Forces of the United States, the People’s Republic of China,
Germany, and Spain, the Chinese Embassy in Manila, and the international organizations namely: Combined
Maritime Forces (CMF), United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO), European Union Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR) and
International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
Under the instructions of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo
created a Task Force to secure the safety of the crew members and facilitate the immediate bunkering of MT
Stolt Strength, as well as to help facilitate the release and repatriation of the remaining Filipino seafarers in
the custody of pirates. END
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Labor Day Message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo
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Filipino workers are the heart and soul of the Philippine nation. Today, we pay tribute to the generations of
working men and women to whom our country owes so much.
Considered as the best in the world, the Filipino worker is the Philippines’ single biggest comparative
advantage for local and global productivity and competitiveness.
We appreciate the many contributions workers continue to make in this country, and the role they play in
ensuring our nation’s strength, prosperity and well-being.
We trust in the ingenuity and creativity of the Filipino, and we are confident that together, our country will forge
dynamically ahead in the decades to come.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also recognizes the dedication, commitment and tremendous courage of
labor leaders and union members who strive to improve working conditions and raise living standards.
We support the strengthening of the spirit of tripartism - between labor, management, and the Philippine
government - and enhancing education and training geared towards providing a decent and productive
employment and an improved quality of life for our workers and their families.
In an increasingly competitive world, we must not fall victim to complacency. The continuing vitality and
resiliency of our economy in the face of the global crisis rests in large measure on the willingness,
understanding and cooperation of the working men and women of the Philippines.
Today is a time to look ahead. While we honor the triumphs of our workers, let us also examine where we may
have fallen short and where we can make the most difference.
The men and women of the Philippine foreign service reiterate our commitment towards upholding, protecting
and promoting the rights and interests of our overseas Filipino workers.
I take my hat off to you, my hard working kababayans. With your hard work, competence and creativity, you have
stood out in an increasingly competitive world. You deserve the accolades of a proud nation.
MABUHAY ANG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO!
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DFA reiterates DOH Travel Advisory to Mexico; No Reported Case of Filipinos
Infected by Swine Flu in Mexico
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29 April 2009 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wishes to echo the announcement made by the
Department of Health (DOH) that while there is no travel ban to Mexico and other swine flu-affected countries,
the public is advised to reconsider unimportant travel plans to these places.
“The DOH is not issuing any travel ban but we strongly advise the public to reconsider their travel to Mexico
and other affected countries unless absolutely necessary,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Mexico said it has not received reports of any member of the Filipino
Community who has been affected by the disease. It continues to monitor developments.
According to Ambassador Francisco M. Ortigas III, the Embassy remains open to the public. The Embassy
has initiated a phone brigade to members of the Filipino Community to advise them on precautionary
measures that they should take. There are about 309 Filipinos in Mexico.
In a press conference on 27 April (Mexican time), Mexican authorities disclosed a reduction in suspected
cases of influenza over the last 24 hours. END
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