The EOCs to be equipped are the East Avenue Medical Center and the Centers for Health Development of Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Davao - which are all strategic to coordinate sub-national scale emergency operations or act as alternative national emergency operations centers.

“The European Union has been a steadfast ally of the Philippines both in tackling disasters with humanitarian aid, and also by supporting national and local authorities’ work on disaster preparedness for many years now. In particular, since 2020, health emergencies have become a very real threat. The EU is therefore proud to be supporting the Department of Health to secure its communication and coordination capabilities during major crises. This will protect lives”, said Mr. Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

This donation is part of the 20 million euro (Php 1.232 billion) South East Asia Health Pandemic Response and Preparedness programme, in which the EU partnered with the WHO and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen the region’s national health systems to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and help ensure they could cope with future health crises. Over the past three years, the programme has invested around 2.3 million euro (Php 141.68 million) in the Philippines.

“We hope that this donation will help achieve the recommended minimum operational requirements in ensuring uninterrupted health service delivery in emergencies and disasters,” said Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines.

Through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge initiatives by the WHO and EU, the DOH is poised to elevate its capabilities, ensuring a prompt and effective response in safeguarding the health and well-being of every Filipino.

“Thank you to the EU and the WHO for the support by providing Php 4.8 million in cutting-edge ICT equipment for our Emergency Operations Centers. This aligns with one of our 8-Point Action Agenda - Teknolohiya para sa mabilis na serbisyong pangkalusugan. This collaboration is more than just a technological upgrade; it will let DOH respond swiftly, organize effectively, and protect the health and well-being of every Filipino especially the most vulnerable during public health emergencies and disasters. The Department of Health will provide the best for the poorest, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.

The turnover ceremony was attended by Mr. Christoph Wagner and Ms. Mojca Krisper Figueroa from the EU Delegation to the Philippines, Dr. Joel Buenaventura from the DOH’s - Bureau of International Health Cooperation (BIHC), Dr. Bernadett Velasco, Dr. Irvin Miranda and Dr. Ronald Law from the Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), and Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus and Dr. Yui Sekitani from the WHO, as well as other key stakeholders.