On 23rd and 24th February, a 'Primary Health Care (PHC) Summit' was held in Manila, organized by Plan Philippines and the Bureau of Local Health Development (BLHD), Department of Health.

The summit aimed to showcase community-managed health activities and programs, and network implementers and advocates of PHC. Civil society organizations, NGOs, local government units (LGUs), and academics attended to hear about best practices in community-managed health, focusing on reform of financing, service delivery and education, regulations, and governance.

Nearly 70 articles were submitted for consideration, out of which 16 were chosen. Two of the best practices selected by the BLHD were from the Capiz Integrated Community-based RH Program supported by UNFPA through the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, implemented by LGU Capiz and JOICFP from 2000 to 2004. (Click here)

The selected practices were

• The BTF (Barangay Task Force): a moving spirit
  and
• Youth communicators; empowered volunteers for ASRH

Furthermore, although not selected as a best practice, but included in the compendium, was 'Male motivators; powerful advocates for CBRH (Community-based RH) project'.

Jeoffry Espiritu, Youth Communicator, and Mildred Olandia, CBI coordinator presented the articles.

Jeoffry Espiritu, the youngest delegate at the summit

Another best practice chosen was the "Pink Room: Mobilizing the Community against Violence Against Women and Children of President Roxas town, Capiz", which shows Capiz Province as a good model of RH in the Philippines.

The fact that two out of the 16 articles presented were from the JOICFP-supported project is very significant and shows that JOICFP's community-based approach to providing health care is effective.