About Us
- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
- OFFICERS & BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- VISION - MISSION - OBJECTIVES
- CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
- PAPA ADVOCACY PROGRAMS
- HISTORY
The Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association, Inc. began one afternoon when a group of pediatricians came together for a lunch meeting in Quezon City. Spearheaded by Dr. Mutya San Agustin, Dr. Rosalia Buzon, Dr. Eleus Fajardo, Dr. Bernadette Madrid and Dr. Fusca Piczon initiated establishing an association primarily focused on generalist pediatricians in the country. They eventually decided to name it Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association (PAPA). With the support of Wyeth, the founders worked on the constitution of PAPA in their pajamas in a hotel. PAPA was then officially established on June 8, 1994. It became an incorporation (PAPA, Inc.) on August 26, 1994 as a fully independent non-stock, non-profit organization with its defined vision, mission, objectives and membership.
A year after, their first convention was held and has been annually conducted up to present. Continuing education not only for pediatricians but also to other health professionals has been provided through lecture series, fora and symposia in different cities nationwide. A formal fellowship training program on Ambulatory Pediatrics eventually commenced in the Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. To carry out the organization’s mission to provide holistic, innovative and socially-responsive healthcare for children in the home, school and community, various committees were formed with each having their own specific objectives. In 2001, committees created were on Community-Based Tuberculosis Control in Children, Child’s Rights and Child Health Supervision. The following year the “Buklat Aklat, Bukas Isip” program that integrates literacy into pediatric primary care began, which later on became the Committee on Early Literacy – Reach Out and Read. By 2003, Committees on Out of School Youth were formed. Committees on School Health and on Child Health Care Delivery were organized in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In 2010 the Committee on Tobacco Control was created. The Committee on Childhood Injury Prevention was formally established in 2015. Through these committees, PAPA collaborated with the Department of Health, Pott’s Foundation, Reach Out and Read USA, Safekids Philippines, USAID, PhilCAT, UNICEF and other agencies. Their projects and researches were presented and commended in national and international conferences. PAPA actively participated in the legislation of The Child and Youth Welfare Code (PD 603), The Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610) and The Sin Tax Reform Law (RA 10351), and is currently advocating better tobacco control policies. The organization’s efforts were recognized when PAPA was nominated for the Academic Pediatric Association Public Policy and Advocacy Award in 2016 and 2017.
Starting with only 10 members, PAPA has now grown to 400 members nationwide with four chapters. In 2014 the La Union chapter was organized headed by Dr. Jeisela Gaerlan followed by the Cebu chapter led by Dr. Vivina Chiu. It was in 2016 when Bulacan chapter was established with Dr. Loreta Mendoza as current president. The Zamboanga Del Sur chapter was opened in March 2019 headed by Dr. Efraim Culminas. Throughout the 25 years, PAPA achieved numerous accomplishments despite adversities made possible by its dedicated members and the support of various institutions.
It has remained steadfast in its vision to be the Ambulatory Pediatric Association in the Philippines consisting of diverse membership that will ensure continuous, compassionate and comprehensive care to Filipino children, and continuing education to health professionals providing care to children in the country. PAPA will continue on its advocacies to translate researches into public policies, to work with communities to appropriately identify and address their needs, and to create a comprehensive health care system.