QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 595)
It is titled “Ensuring Effective and Efficient Public Health Awareness Campaign for Prevention of Common Diseases through the Educational System,” and it aims to integrate preventive health education modules into the curricula to reduce common causes of morbidity and mortality through health awareness and education.
The program covers the health curriculum of primary, secondary, and collegiate levels all over the Philippines, across both public and private educational institutions.
It requires refocusing existing health curricula from curative (treatment-focused) to preventive aspects of the top causes of morbidity and mortality in the country or locality.
Modules on basic preventive health care for the top causes of morbidity and mortality must be integrated into all private and public elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities; and existing curricula for elementary and high schools must be refocused to preventive aspects.
It consists of: (1) DepEd Secretary (or alternate, not lower than Assistant Secretary); (2) DOH Secretary (or alternate, not lower than Assistant Secretary); (3) CHED Chairman (or alternate who is one of the Commissioners); (4) DOST Secretary (or alternate, not lower than Assistant Secretary); (5) three (3) private-sector representatives—two (2) from medical profession (PMA, PCP) and one (1) from related/allied sectors invited based on recognized medical groups’ recommendations.
It is co-chaired by the Secretaries of DepEd and DOH.
The Committee or its members may enter into Memoranda of Agreement with recognized medical associations and groups to ensure private-sector participation; and participating agencies/Committee may receive donations (cash or kind) subject to pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.
The TWG may be created to recommend the evaluation scheme with success metrics/parameters with timelines, recommend necessary modifications, and report overall impact on the healthcare and educational system.
Section 5: DepEd determines the appropriate number of hours for health subjects emphasizing preventive aspects and integration into current Science/Health curricula. Section 8: DepEd appoints committees of teachers per Regional Office for training and coordinates with DOH personnel for cascade teaching to all teachers.
DOH shall check the validity and accuracy of all scientific data used in the modules; the Secretary of Health must certify scientific accuracy and completeness appropriate to understanding the disease condition and its prevention.
Section 6: Modules cover risk factors for prevention and treatment of the top ten causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines. Section 7: DOH verifies scientific validity/accuracy and the Secretary of Health certifies accuracy and completeness.
It determines modules appropriate for student appreciation per level in elementary and high school and designs grade/year-level modules to achieve the intended learning concepts.
Specific modules include: (a) Preventive, Public and Community Health; (b) Management and Leadership concepts to emphasize health care; (c) Professional and Community Leader Ethics and Professionalism; and (d) Health Economics, to instill love of country and social responsibility among healthcare professionals.
CHED must work with the private sector in the implementation of these collegiate modules.
DepEd and DOH jointly identify pilot areas, giving major consideration to the prevalence of the top ten causes of mortality and morbidity and to poverty incidence in the area.
Initial expenses of the Committee on HERO are equally divided among member-agencies from their respective budgets. Development/cascading/printing are sourced from DBM-determined sources. Thereafter, these are included in the budgets of member agencies in the General Appropriations Act.
Repealing clause: inconsistent executive issuances/orders/rules are repealed or modified. Separability: if any provision is declared unconstitutional/invalid, others remain effective. Effectivity: it takes effect immediately.
Under the separability clause, only the affected section/provision would be invalid/unconstitutional, while the remaining sections not affected would remain in full force and effect.