TBpeople Philippines, led by Public Governance Officer Mr. Niño Magpusao, alongside the TBpeoplePH Discipleship San Fernando Pampanga Team, actively participated in the TB Survivor Summit hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for Health Development. The event, held at the Quest Plus Conference Center in Clark, revolved around the theme “Sa Tibay ng Bayanihan, TB ay Ating Wakasan,” underscoring the profound strength of community spirit in the collective effort to eliminate tuberculosis (TB).
The summit commenced with an inspiring opening address by Dr. Corazon Flores, Director IV of the DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development. Her words set the tone for the gathering, emphasizing the importance of unified action in the fight against TB. This was followed by a keynote message from Undersecretary of Health, DOH UHC-HSC Area 1, Usec. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire. Her powerful speech resonated with all participants, reigniting their commitment and inspiring renewed energy to push forward in their advocacy.
A key highlight of the summit was Mr. Niño Magpusao’s presentation on “The Journey to Building Supportive Communities.” In his session, Niño recounted the remarkable journey of TBpeoplePH, which began from humble beginnings during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared how, despite starting with limited resources, the organization has grown to have a nationwide impact, reaching out to various cities and municipalities. Niño emphasized the critical role of lobbying for support from local government units (LGUs) and building robust community networks that offer tangible support to TB patients and survivors.
Adding a deeply personal and motivating perspective to the summit, Lizette Pamaos, a survivor of drug-resistant TB (DRTB) and the Vice President of TBpeoplePH Discipleship in San Fernando, Pampanga, shared her transformative journey. From being a patient to becoming a dedicated advocate and counselor, Lizette’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. She spoke of how her experience with TB fueled her passion for helping others, particularly those currently undergoing treatment. Lizette’s commitment to sharing her story and offering assistance to others exemplifies the heart and soul of the TBpeoplePH mission.
The theme of the summit, “Sa Tibay ng Bayanihan, TB ay Ating Wakasan,” serves as a powerful call to action for all TB survivors. It encourages them to step into their roles as advocates with confidence, undergo training to become effective counselors, and most importantly, approach this work with genuine passion and dedication. Together, with the unwavering spirit of bayanihan, we can overcome the challenges posed by TB and work towards a future where this disease is a thing of the past.
#YesWeCanEndTB #TibayNgBayanihangPinoy #TBpeoplePH