Municipal and city mayors in the province of Tarlac have committed to intensify efforts to end Tuberculosis (TB) in their respective jurisdictions.
In the Usapang Dibdiban virtual session of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) TB Platforms Project, the local chief executives pledged additional budget and planned further interventions for TB in consultation with health specialists.
League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Tarlac Chapter President and Moncada Mayor Estelita Aquino emphasized that TB is a not a mere health problem but a societal issue.
“TB is an infectious disease transmitted through the air by coughing, sneezing and talking. It is not just a medical problem but may also lead to death, inability to read and write and finish studies, poverty, and income loss,” she emphasized.
One-on-one sessions between the local chief executives and USAID TB Platforms began on November 2020 and concluded on May 2021.
USAID TB Platforms Health Governance Specialist Lilian De Leon congratulated the municipal and city mayors of Tarlac for being the first to finish the Usapang Dibdiban sessions.
“Tarlac is the first province among our priority areas nationwide to accomplish the Usapang Dibdiban sessions,” De Leon shared.
During the sessions, the mayors were assisted in revisiting ordinances and coming up with revisions and amendments in line with TB prevention.
Also, additional funding for case finding activities, equipment, capacity building for personnel and other TB-related efforts were highlighted.
Moreover, the mayors pledged to facilitate the implementation of programs and projects in the list to increase end TB campaign efforts.
“We, with the guidance of USAID, express our full support in the enactment of programs to end TB,” they conveyed. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)