The participants of the 4th Philippine Herbal Medicine Summit signed a manifesto of support for the Philippine Herbal Development Plan during Day Two of the Summit, 19 January 2024, at the Sheraton Manila Bay, taking upon themselves a mission to assist and foster the continuous development of the Philippine herbal medicine industry from its significant historical contribution to the health of Filipinos throughout the centuries, up to the present time, when it is supported and strengthened by scientific research.

The document manifests a vision and need to underscore Philippine herbal medicine as a vital aspect of universal healthcare, providing equitable access that is culturally adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable to Filipinos.

As early as April 2022, the UP Manila National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) agreed to take the lead in the crafting of the Development Plan in collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) and the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), displaying a multistakeholder approach with the inclusion of the marginalized communities, and upholding and acknowledging that health is a basic human right for healthy living as stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution as well as in Republic Act 11223.

UP Manila Community Health Development Program (CHDP) Director Dr. Anthony Geronimo H. Cordero presented the manifesto. Thereafter, reactors from the Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine Society of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, Muslim/Halal Organizations, Philippine Institute Of Traditional And Alternative Health Care, Urban People’s Organization, other local government units, barangay health workers, and the academe contributed their insights and perspectives on the plan.

After the discussion, the participants signed the manifesto and posed for photos.

Angelou C. Mendoza