World Health Organization-Philippines and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) launched their partnership to promote healthy change in workplaces in a meeting at the Manila Hotel, Manila. WHO and PBSP agreed to collaborate for the implementation of the iFLY Keep Fit, Live Well, Stay Young Programme in the workplaces of PBSP’s corporate members and partners. WHO will provide technical assistance, and PBSP will facilitate implementation in workplaces.
The IFLY Programme is a healthy workplace initiative which endeavours to promote healthy CHANGE in the workplace. It also addresses priority health risks and conditions that can affect the health and productivity o workers. It aims to reduce behavioural health risks and improve productivity at the workplace. It utilizes the CHANGE communication strategy, developed in collaboration with UN and national partners, to encourage workers to practice healthy lifestyle and practices. Workers are encouraged to live free from habits that get in the way of their dreams; and practice those that help them achieve their goals in life.
CHANGE is an acronym for:
- C – Cigarette smoking
- H – HIV, AIDs, and STIs
- A – Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- N – Nasal and Lung Ailments and Tuberculosis
- G – Good nutrition and Breastfeeding
- E – Exercise
Partners for Healthy Workplaces. (seated , from left) : Ms Tess Cucueco (Executive Director, DOLE) ; Dr Soe Nyunt-U (WHO Representative ); Mr Rafael Lopa (Exec. Director PBSP); Usec. Teodoro Herbosa ( DOH); (standing from left) Ms Genesis Samonte (DOH); Luz Tagunicar (DOH -NCHP); Jose Gerard Belimac (DOH- NCDPC); Ms Lucille Nievera (WHO); UNAIDS Teresita Bagasao, Margaux Sanguyo(ILO); Jennifer Padilla and Dr Jojo Go (WHO).
The launch was attended by partners from International Labor Organization, UNAIDS, Department of Health (DOH), and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). DOH Undersecretary, Dr Teodoro Herbosa was the keynote speaker. He lauded the partnership which will benefit both the employees and the employers.
Dr Soe Nyunt-U, WHO Representative in the Philippines, also turned over iFLY advocacy and communication tools to PBSP Executive Director, Mr Rafael Lopa. In his speech, Dr Soe emphasized that implementing a healthy workplace initiative like iFLY is a
smart thing to do, as it will not only take care of the health of workers, but will take care of business. “Companies that promote and protect workers' health are among the most successful and competitive, and also enjoy better rates of employee
retention,” he said.
Mr Rafael Lopa, Executive Director of PBSP, expressed his organization’s commitment for implementing the iFLY among its members. PBSP has over 230 corporate members and growing, who contribute millions of
pesos every year to fund poverty reduction projects.