by Anthony James F. Almazan
The 9th Northern Luzon Consultative Meeting and Quality Assurance Workshop concluded recently at the Sola Hotel, Laoag City underscoring a strong commitment to strengthening the region’s Newborn Screening (NBS) Program. The two-day event, held on August 13-14, 2025, brought together key NBS program stakeholders from Regions 1 and 2 to address various aspects of the NBS program, thereby maintaining a high standard of care for all newborns in the region.
Secretary Herbosa’s First Newborn Screening Activity
The opening day of the event, held on August 13, began with a heartfelt message of empathy from the country’s public health leaders. Department of Health (DOH) Sec. Teodoro Herbosa, in his first attendance at a Newborn Screening (NBS) activity, highlighted the DOH’s dedication to strengthening public health services and ensuring that every Filipino child has access to life-saving interventions. He was joined by DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development (CHD) Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco, who likewise stressed the importance of quality assurance in delivering safe, effective, and reliable healthcare.
The program continued with a series of welcome remarks and a roll call of participants by Dr. Karla Modesta A. Antiporda and Dr. Judy Gertrudis Pipo-Deveza, respectively. The messages paved the way for the presentation of the rationale of the meeting and the review of previous minutes, which provided context and continuity for the day’s discussions. The morning session was further enriched by an inspirational message from Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center [MMMHMC] Medical Center Chief Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza, followed by a heartfelt response message from Newborn Screening Center Northern Luzon Unit Head Dr. Ma. Paz Virginia K. Otayza. Both officials emphasized the shared vision of advancing newborn screening services through collaboration and commitment.
Collaborative Sessions and Expert-Led Discussions
The 9th Northern Luzon Consultative Meeting and Quality Assurance Workshop did not only focus on quality improvements in newborn screening but also featured crucial program updates and discussions on specialized services.
Jovy Ann Casamorin-Lising of the Newborn Screening Reference Center [NSRC] updated attendees on recent developments in the NBS program, including development in the Philhealth Newborn Care Package (NCP) and its impact on the program. Her session also provided valuable insights into changes aimed at optimizing newborn health outcomes in Regions 1 and 2.
The Center for Human Genetics Services was also introduced to the NBS stakeholders in Northern Luzon. Dr. Ebner Bon Maceda discussed the vital role of the center, including the specialized services available, such as genetic testing and counseling for families with children having genetic disorders. His presentation highlighted the crucial connection between the NBS program and the center’s services, reinforcing a commitment to the early detection, diagnosis, and management of genetic conditions.
Dr. Alvin Ubasa and Kristine Silao of PhilHealth Ilocos Norte provided updates on the NCP. At the same time, Pauline Joy Fainzan and Ruth Angeli Annang of the DOH Cagayan Valley RLED underscored their role in accrediting Newborn Screening Facilities to ensure quality and safety.
The meeting also served as a platform for stakeholders to showcase achievements and milestones, reinforcing collective efforts to advance newborn screening in the region.
Quality Assurance Workshop
The second day featured a dedicated Quality Assurance Workshop with expert speakers who underscored the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the NBS process. Rhodalyn Posadas from the DOH Ilocos CHD provided a brief recap of the previous day’s agenda.
Dr. Jessa Mae De Guzman of the MMMHMC Public Health Unit shared insights on the vital role of public health units. Her presentation highlighted initiatives, such as community education, data dissemination, and patient follow-up, emphasizing how these units connect clinical services with the community to ensure that all newborns benefit from the program.
Moreover, Lising led the sessions on the self-assessment of Newborn Screening Facilities using the Philippines Performance Evaluation Assessment Scheme (PPEAS) Tool. The session aimed to help facilities evaluate their compliance with standards, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen the overall quality of newborn screening services. Anthony James F. Almazan, NSC-NL program manager, introduced the supplemental Newborn Screening Training Module on Quality Checking of Samples designed to enhance the skills of healthcare providers in evaluating sample adequacy, reducing unsatisfactory rates, and ensuring accurate and reliable screening results. The discussion highlighted essential protocols in collecting and handling samples to minimize errors and ensure reliable results—skills crucial for frontline healthcare providers.
Maria Charity O. Guittap, NSC-NL follow-up nurse, presented the Newborn Screening Tangguyob and emphasized the value of a robust referral system to guarantee timely and appropriate follow-up care for newborns with abnormal results. Dr. Modesty A. Leaño, NSC-NL laboratory head, discussed the purpose and benefits of using the Empathy Map with diagnosed patients of the NBS Program. This tool helps capture insights from the patient’s perspective, emphasizing the importance of a responsive and supportive healthcare system to better guide families throughout their NBS journey.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
The 9th Northern Luzon Consultative Meeting and Quality Assurance Workshop concluded with a renewed sense of collaboration among stakeholders, uniting healthcare providers, policy-makers, and partner institutions under one vision. The support and commitment of the DOH leadership, combined with the expertise of program implementers and the active participation of local partners, underscored that newborn screening is not just a medical intervention—it is a collective responsibility.
Rosie Monette De Guzman of the DOH-CHD Ilocos synthesized the key points of the two-day activity, while Dr. Patricia Zenaida Cajigal of the MMMHMC delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the collective efforts and commitment of stakeholders in advancing NBS in Northern Luzon.
As the meeting drew to a close, participants echoed the call for sustained quality assurance, continuous capacity building, and stronger partnerships. With a shared commitment and action, the Northern Luzon’s newborn screening stakeholders are paving the way for a healthier future where, true to the DOH’s vision, sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga.
