WHEREAS, Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem, ranking sixth in 1998 in the 10 leading causes of death and illness in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the National TB Program (NTP) of the Department of Health (DOH) has made significant advances in improving the quality and extent of its control efforts;

WHEREAS, the DOH has forged a partnership with the Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) to develop a "Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB Control in the Philippines" in collaboration with other government agencies and private sectors to harmonize and unify the TB control efforts in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the "Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB Control in the Philippines" adopting the DOTS strategy (5 components) of the National TB Program (NTP) shall be the basis of implementation of TB control among the concerned stakeholders.

• Direct sputum smear examination shall be the initial diagnostic tool in case finding
• Standardized chemotherapy in accordance with the National TB Program,
• Recording and  Reporting of cases shall  be on the standardized National TB program (NTP) to be implemented in all health centers
• Direct Observed Treatment (DOT) shall be used as the strategy to ensure patient compliance
• Political commitment to ensure sustained, comprehensive implementation of National TB program activities.

WHEREAS, this policy was ratified by the heads of the organizations listed below during the First Philippine Tuberculosis Summit Conference, held on the 7th of March 2003, at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby instruct these government agencies:

1. Department of Health
2. Department of Education
3. Department of Interior and Local Government
4. Department of National Defense
5. Department of Justice - Bureau of Corrections
6. Department of Social Welfare and Development
7. Department of Agriculture
8. Department of Agrarian Reform
9. Department Science and Technology
10. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
11. Department of Labor and Employment
12. Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration
13. National Economic and Development Authority
14. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
15. Government Service Insurance System
16. Social Security System
17. Employees Compensation Commission

and enjoin the following private sector organizations,ammy

18. Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (with 52 members)
19. Philippine Medical Association
20. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
21. Employers Confederation of the Philippines
22. Association of Health Maintenance Organizations of the Philippines

to work in partnership, to conduct the dissemination of, and the training on, the said "Comprehensive and Unified Policy for TB Control in the Philippines" from the date of this Order.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 21st day of March, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary