My fellow members of the Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine. I would like to remind the members of the Society that we are celebrating 20 years of existence of our society. We became a society, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in November of 2005. That is why our logo is marked with “MMV”.
Last week, specifically last Thursday, July 10, was our 100th day since we, the current members of the board of trustees, took over as officers of the society on April 1, 2025. By now, the members should be familiar with who the current officers are. More importantly, the members should be aware of what we have accomplished and the direction we are taking in steering the society into its next 20 years. Allow me to take this opportunity to summarize what we have done and what we have to look forward to for the rest of the year.
First, since the start of our term we have completed 17 NRPH+ training programs in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and 2 fellows’ fora.
Second, we have strengthened our Alliances: We have maintained existing partnerships and are in the process of forging new ones. Our National partners include the KMC foundation, the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (whose president, Apple Bandong) is also a member of the current BOT. Related to this, we have also completed 8 Care for the Small Baby (CSB) workshops in collaboration with the KMC foundation, and 2 modified NRP-M in collaboration with the PAP.
We are revitalizing our alliance with the Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine through our participation in their guideline development process.
We are also in the process of forging new partnerships. Through board member Shellane Navarro, we are about to formalize a MOA with AFP Radio DWDD 1134 KHZ on AM radio to provide content for their radio program HEALTH CAMP. The initial offering was last May 15 with the episode entitled “KMC: Nutrisyon at Pagmamahal” featuring our adviser, Sookee Mendoza. This August, we will have another radio show on breastfeeding.
We are further strengthening our international alliance with the Asian Neonatal Network, with our involvement in multi-country research and participation in contributing Philippine data to document the outcomes of VLBW neonates.
Also this August, we will celebrate world breastfeeding day with a webinar called mother-baby dialogues. This is scheduled for August 6, 2025 in cooperation with the POGS.
We will proceed with the fellow’s research protocol development workshops in September 5,19, Oct 3,17 ,Nov 7 and Nov 21, which will benefit the fellows of the different training neonatology programs.
The completion of (at least) the content of the Standards of Newborn Care through is expected before the end of the year through the efforts of Elen Cuarte.
Other events to look forward to for 2026 include the PSNbM annual convention on February 2–3, 2026 with the theme: NEONATAL H.E.R.O.E.S. (Harmony, Efficiency, Resilience, Optimism in Emergency Situations). This will be held in Baguio Country Club hosted by the University of Sto. Tomas. We also look forward to the NRPH updates and the Creation of the STAT Ph (Philippine STABLE workshop which we hope to roll out during this time.
The IPOKRATES convention on May 6-8 is in its planning stage. The society is committed to subsidize the registration fees of the members who wish to attend.
We aim to institutionalize POCUS as a standard of care by investing in the training of members in the fellowship training programs and perhaps subsidizing the purchase of affordable handheld ultrasound machines.
We are working to increase members benefits.
And finally, we have identified a long term flagship program to identify a hospital in the BARMM for the society to support through needs assessment, training and monitoring programs with the lofty goal OF reducing their neonatal mortality rates. The advocacy council has met as a first step in realizing this goal.
Our wish is for our members to become more involved to truly improve the outcomes of those we have vowed to care for and protect.
Looking forward to your continued support.
Jacinto Blas V. Mantaring III
President 2025-2026
Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine