The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila and the Department of Health (DOH) entered into an agreement allowing students of the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) to earn a master’s degree in recognition of their training, leading to career advancement. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for creating the FETP curriculum was signed by UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee and DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on April 15, 2025, at the DOH Compound. This significant partnership follows several years of discussions of institutionalizing the FETP with UP Manila through the College of Public Health – Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 

The FETP is a two-year training program by the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau that equips healthworkers through the “learning by doing” approach. It includes intensive coursework on epidemiologic methods, public health surveillance, outbreak investigation, scientific communication, and leadership. It also includes field work allowing the trainees to apply their knowledge in conducting epidemiologic studies such as outbreak investigations and field surveys, surveillance system development and evaluation, and planned epidemiologic studies, operational research, and oral or poster presentations in various local and international scientific forums. Health professionals in permanent government positions may apply for the program. Currently, the program is only recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree within the DOH system for promotion and professional recognition. 

With the MOU, health professionals who trained under FETP will receive a master’s degree in Public Health, with a major in Applied Epidemiology, thus giving greater credibility, especially to those who wish to pursue teaching positions.

“We saw the true value of the FETP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their contributions have improved the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies…by integrating the FETP curriculum with a higher education institution, we are ensuring sustainability and academic excellence,” Sec. Herbosa said.   

Aside from academic provisions, the agreement allows collaborative research and discussions on public health strategies between the two government institutions, which could usher in a faster translation of research into public health policy. 

“We thank the Secretary of Health for trusting the University of the Philippines Manila, in particular, our College of Public Health, to create a program that will lead to a competent health workforce. Together, we are building the foundation for a future less vulnerable to the threat of a devastating pandemic. Our goal will be to prevent the loss of lives and mitigate socio-economic impact through a predict, detect, respond, and recover framework.” Chancellor Tee said.#

Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by Erlyn Pareja

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