PDA PRESIDENT’S FEATS IN 1ST 100 DAYS CITED
The first 100 days of the Presidency of Dr. Stephen B. Almonte of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) were packed with challenges and trials which he addressed with dispatch and efficiency.
In a report submitted by Dr. Christine T. Valerio, PDA PRO and Information Committee Chairman, it disclosed that Dr. Almonte attended the inductions of the different chapters and affiliates throughout the country in June and August, encouraging organizers to be austere and minimize bureaucracy by doing away with leis, garlands, buttoners and presidential table, tokens or plaque of appreciation.
In PDA’S oral awareness campaign, “Sugar away, walang tooth decay,” Dr. Almonte rallied all chapters for no sugar sweetened beverage served during all inductions and other chapter activities. He also called for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink.
As part of collaboration, the main thrust of this year’s theme, Dr. Almonte held sitdown meetings with local government leaders to discuss concerns of government dentists on salary grade increase, the need for a dentist in every health center, and the accreditation of the PDA local chapters as Civil Society Organization.
As early as June, the President in his “Go Beyond the Smiles” advocacy, challenged all the chapters to focus on sustainable projects -- programs that will make a great impact on overall health and living condi tions like education on proper diet to have better oral health, adoption or ownership of health centers and toothbrushing and hand wash facilities.
President Almonte attended Public Consultation on the Universal Health Care Implementing Rules and Regulation formation. PDA also participated in the Professional Regulation Commission Social Responsibility Program, Caliraya Lake Tree Planting Activity, “Sibol Para sa Kalikasan”, Exploratory meeting on Dental Tourism and meeting with PDA legal adviser for plans on public health issues.
Under Dr. Almonte’s 1st 100 days watch, the public health program “Tahanang Sentrong Pangkalusugan” to align with the Universal Health Care Law was launched in July, the first PDA -- Bayanihan ni Juan Summit Capacity building seminar was held last July 29-30 through a partnership with Dok Juan toothpaste, a call for mass enrollment, enlistment of active PDA members to HMI health card, for further membership benefit was approved in the second board meeting and Testimonial Luncheon for the Top 10 Dentists was held at the PDA St. Apolonia Hall and the campaign against illegal dentists was intensified with the entrapment operations from July to September.
In August, the President finished the last leg of the inductions during which he exercised shared leadership or empowerment wherein he delegates and trusts the different committee chairmen to perform what is needed for the members. Furthermore, he macro-manages the preparations for the different incoming activities such as DENR PCO trainings in PDA, partnership with NBI for the patient record keeping, NDHM activities, the launch of the first PDA Webinar, Area and Regional Conferences and made sure that all checks for the Life membership awardees and chapter rebates have been prepared and signed for distribution.