History

Every organization has a story to tell.

With the national efforts for recovery following the historical EDSA revolution in 1986, parallel developments in the medical field were unfolding. The Philippine representation to the 5 th Congress of the Federation of Asia-Oceania Perinatal Societies (FAOPS) in July 8, 1988, by our local pioneer in perinatology, Dr. Natividad L. Puertollano , opened the avenue to the formation of a body specifically aimed at addressing perinatal health. At the said congress, a resolution was made to undertake the 1992 FAOPS International Meeting. This served as impetus for then President of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), Dr, Vicente X. Genato to herald the organization of the Perinatal Association of the Philippines (PAP) in 1989.

A multidisciplinary organization of societies involved in perinatal health advocacy, representatives from the POGS, Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS), Maternal and Child Health Association of the Philippines (MCHAP) and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP) formed the core group. In its organizational meeting, POGS was represented by: Drs. Vicente Genato, Virgilio Oblepias Sr., Natividad L. Puertollano, Nelia Salvacion, Julita Jalbuena and Rebecca Ramos. The PPS had Drs. Hermogenes Purugganan and Ma. Rosario Esperanza. Drs. Herminia Baja-Panlilio, Minerva Inciong, and Carmelita Cuyugan represented the MCHAP, while the midwives group was composed of Cleotilde Elmedolan, Evangeline Valencia and Cecile Santos. The overwhelming desire to create a dent in “the care for the pregnant woman and her unborn child” drove these visionaries to work towards the set goal, and realize the conduct of the 1992 FAOPS Congress in the Philippines.

The rest of the Trustees included: Drs. Vicente X. Genato, Virgilio Oblepias, Herminia Baja- Panlilio, Josefina Resurreccion, Nelia Sison- Salvacion and  Ms. Evangeline Valencia. The task, although enormous, did not dampen the high spirits of the focused and committed PAP Officers to work for what the association was established for.

The POGS then, recognized the PAP as the “only perinatal society in the country” and relinquished its membership to the FAOPS in favor of the PAP.  The POGS and the rest of the affiliate societies recognized the PAP Vision to be the lead advocate of and the major advisory body on issues and policies regarding perinatal healthcare in the Philippines and Mission to curb perinatal morbidity and mortality, achievable within local means.

Plans and programs were developed in line with the association’s vision and mission. Hence the creation of modules on Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health, Perinatal Education and Neonatal Resuscitation. These were shared in seminar-workshops to perinatal healthcare providers. Recognizing the importance of research in furthering knowledge and improving perinatal care delivery,  the research program was started in 1998. The best researches were presented during the Annual PAP Convention. Many of these creative works were transformed into practice guidelines. The compendium of researches can be accessed through the PAP Journal.

Given the enormous tasks, the PAP Officers moved to expand its presence, hence, the establishment of PAP Regional Chapters  in 2003. Iloilo pioneered in this regard. To date, PAP has 9 chapters and prides itself with a membership of 997.

Like all other organizations,  PAP had its share of challenges in administration. Despite various threats  at a crucial time in 2007, the committed officers and members of the board  worked in unison  to keep the flame alive,  proactively discarding  every block  that got in its way. Dr. Socorro D. Mendoza, PAP 2007 President, inspired the board to manage the challenge, move forward  and work for  the greater good, “our mothers and their unborn” and ensure  the  good future the  association so deserved. Recognized for hard work and inspiring leadership, Dr Mendoza was elected FAOPS Deputy Secretary General for the Eastern Region, a first in the 18-year history of the association. This happened at the FAOPS Congress in May 20-24, 2008 in Nagoya, Japan.  Through her endearing efforts, the PAP gained prominence in the FAOPS and remained  a reliable partner in the implementation of FAOPS various continuing professional development programs.

PAP at 18 hurdled through financial difficulties. This did not stop the direction set by its Board of Trustees headed by then President, Dr. Caridad E. Molino (+). Among the  highlights of the celebration were the formal launch of its Administrative Manual and the reformatted PAP website, the outputs of the hard working Past Presidents.

The constant growth in membership, academic, as well as social responsibilities pushed the PAP Board to seek for a home of its own. In 2011, PAP started holding office at its permanent home at the PPS building, Kalayaan, Diliman, Quezon City.

CME programs and collaborations with stakeholders to further PAP’s advocacies were undertaken.

In 2013, PAP participated in the consultative meeting with the NIH, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control – Family Health Office for:

-Maternal Nutrition in the Phils.: Its Impact on Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

-Amendments to the Midwifery Act 1992

-National Protocol for Perinatal – Maternal – Neonatal Health Quality Improvement and Information    Management System.

Under the helm of then President Dr. Susan Nagtalon, the PAP hosted the 20th FAOPS Congress in September 23-26, 2018 at the historic Manila Hotel. There were 70 foreign and local speakers, facilitators and moderators, 700 attendees with 131 delegates from the FAOPS member countries of  Japan, Australia, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mongolia, Cambodia and Bangladesh. This meeting served as venue for interaction and collaboration among champions of  Perinatal Care. The inaugural Dr. Natividad L. Puertollano Memorial Lecture and inaugural Dr. Carmelita B.  Cuyugan Memorial Lecture were one of the highlights of the congress.  At the conclusion of the Congress was the inauguration of the 2019 FAOPS President, our very own Past PAP President Dr. Socorro DL Mendoza.

In 2019, Mr. Dodjie Fernandez composed the PAP Hymn with the lyrics by PAP Board Member Dr. Martini Ventura. This hymn was featured during the PAP Annual Convention and had thereafter been included in every PAP activity.

The CoVID 19 pandemic 2020 disrupted operations. Adapting to the new normal, President Dr. Edna Corpuz-Navallo pursued to remain relevant and fulfil the association’s social responsibility to the Philippine society in general and its members in particular. Assistance were  sent to the health workers in the form of PPEs, donations to victims of the Taal volcano eruption, Masbate earthquake, typhoon victims of Bicol, Marikina, Montalban, Cagayan and Isabela.

Given the restrictions for on-site conduct of CMEs, PAP successfully completed seven webinars in cooperation with its various chapters. These virtual meetings ensure member connectivity, beneficial for both personal and professional growth.

The PAP, now 31 years in existence, recognized by the World Association of Perinatal Medicine (WAPM) and FAOPS, shall continue the dream of its leaders and endeavor  to be the lead advocate for the promotion of the science and art of Perinatal Medicine in the Philippines.