The Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) made a big leap to escalate public awareness on lung health by the signing of Presidential Proclamation No. 2001 by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declaring 2010 as the Year of the Lung last February 15, 2010. The event was formally announced by Philippine Secretary of Health, Dr. Esperanza Cabral in a press conference during the 29th Annual Chest Convention of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel last March 5, 2010. To highlight the preventive aspect of YOTL, 20 COPD high risk patients were given free pneumococcal vaccines by the officers of the College.

The inquiries of the tri-media audience regarding lung diseases and YOTL were answered by the Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Cabral, President of the PCCP, Dr. Sylvia Banal-Yang and Dr. Teresita de Guia, President of the Local Congress Committee of the forthcoming Asian Pacific Society of Respirology congress on November 22-25, 2010 in Manila, Philippines. The issues discussed during the press conference came out at the different newspapers of national circulation, were aired in the different radio and television stations and subsequent interviews to the PCCP President on the different issues on lung health by the government.

In line with the objectives of YOTL, the PCCP has lined up monthly activities that have started since January and will culminate on November of this year to advocate awareness about lung diseases, its prevention and treatment. In February, the Council on Lung Malignancy joined with the Philippine Cancer Society in the "Relay for Life" together with the different cancer support groups as well as cancer survivors in their campaign for early detection and prevention of trigger factors causing lung malignancy, was a tremendous success. The Council on Critical Care and Pulmonary Vascular Diseases last February conducted lectures to the staff of PCCP accredited hospitals on how to recognize vascular ailments that would arise among critically ill as well as chronically admitted, bed ridden individuals and how and what to institute as preventive measures to combat disease progression. On March 24, 2010 with the celebration of World TB Day, the Council on Tuberculosis will undergo film making contest on disease prevention, recognition and treatment of tuberculosis, cheering squad competition and a press conference to advocate on what the government and private sectors are doing to control the spread of tuberculosis in the Philippines.

Four out of the ten leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines today are all attributed to preventable lung diseases for which the Philippine College of Chest Physicians is COMMITTED to help the government, the private sector and the international community to lessen this burden and thereby promote lung health to our peop le ... the objective of "The Year Of The Lung."

Sylvia Banal-Yang, MD, FPCCP