WHEREAS, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance is an essential component of Polio Eradication, in providing proof of the absence of wild poliovirus circulation;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is doing well in the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) immunization, but lags behind in AFP surveillance hence, it cannot be certified polio-free unless surveillance for AFP improves;

WHEREAS, all large government and private hospitals need to be linked to the AFP surveillance system network coordinated by the Field Epidemiology Training Program - National Epidemic Sentinel Surveillance System (FETP-NESSS) and the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESU);

WHEREAS, there is a need to culture stools from all children below 15 years old presenting with AFP within 14 days from onset.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby enjoin all public and private hospitals with 100 beds or more, all neurological societies especially on pediatric neurology, and all medical and pediatric societies to actively participate in the AFP Surveillance component of the polio eradication in the Philippines.

To achieve this, the Department of Health (DOH) shall coordinate all activities and provide necessary guidelines to make this project a success. The DOH can request assistance from any agency whenever necessary.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Adopted: 26 Aug. 1997

	(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
	President of the Philippines

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary