Hard of Hearing Group Philippines Advocates for Inclusive Ear and Hearing Care at UST Symposium

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a significant step towards inclusive healthcare, the Hard of Hearing Group Philippines (HOHGP), in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas’ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery - Master in Clinical Audiology Program, organized a Symposium on Ear and Hearing Health and the Public Health Care System. The event took place on March 7, 2025, at the Miguel de Benavides Library, UST Campus, Sampaloc, Manila, bringing together key stakeholders to address the challenges in hearing care and advocate for policy reforms.

A Call to Action on World Hearing Day

The symposium was held in observance of World Hearing Day, an annual initiative by the World Hearing Organization (WHO) that highlights the need for early intervention, awareness, and accessibility in hearing healthcare.

Participants included academics, representatives from local health offices, Persons with Disability (PWD) affairs offices of LGUs, national government agencies, disability rights organizations, and other key stakeholders. The gathering served as a platform to discuss challenges, share solutions, and push for policy changes to ensure that ear and hearing care is accessible to all.

Key Issues Raised

During the discussions, several critical gaps in the public healthcare system were identified:

Lack of dedicated facilities and medical professionals specializing in ear and hearing care.

High costs of hearing tests, treatments, and assistive devices, making them inaccessible to many Filipinos.

Inadequate PhilHealth coverage for hearing care services.

Limited funding for PhilHealth premiums for all PWDs.

Need for community-based hearing care training for barangay health workers and primary healthcare providers.

Call for greater awareness campaigns to be institutionalized in the national health framework.

The symposium strongly emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among government agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), research institutions, and disability organizations, to create sustainable and long-term solutions.

Government Agencies Respond

Key representatives from PhilHealth, DOH, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and DILG were present to address the concerns raised. They outlined existing programs, policies, and potential areas for improvement in hearing healthcare services.

A crucial takeaway from the discussions was the need for legislation that would secure funding for Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) services, including mental health support for those affected by hearing loss.

UST’s Commitment to Hearing Health

The faculty, students, and staff of UST’s Master in Clinical Audiology Program played a pivotal role in the event. They provided free hearing checkups after the symposium at the nearby Audiological Services Center, reinforcing the importance of early detection and intervention.

Paving the Way for a More Inclusive Future

The HOHGP’s initiative marks a significant milestone in advocating for hearing care inclusion in the national healthcare agenda. By fostering collaboration between stakeholders, pushing for better policies, and increasing awareness, the symposium aims to make ear and hearing care accessible for all Filipinos.

As the conversation continues, it is crucial that both the government and the private sector commit to developing sustainable, inclusive, and affordable hearing healthcare solutions.

The Wazzup Pilipinas founder, Ross Flores Del Rosario, recognizes this effort as a major step towards a more inclusive society, where no Filipino is left behind due to hearing loss.

Parents Prefer Warning Labels for Food Information, Research Finds

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Nationwide focus group discussions (FGDs) show that Filipino parents and household decision-makers favor front-of-pack warning labels, as it helps them better understand nutritional information and make informed food purchases. 

ImagineLaw, a public interest law organization, conducted a series of FGDs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao which revealed that parent-consumers prefer food warning labels as the easiest way to identify food that they should avoid. 

“The FGDs show that consumers need accessible and straightforward information when it comes to food,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw. 

Participants were presented with pre-packaged food products that only have the current back-of-pack nutrition labeling, and products that have front-of-pack labeling (FOPL). 

When asked about the readability of current nutrition labels, many admitted they only understand them when making a conscious effort to do so. They typically focus on the price and expiration date when choosing food products. Further discussions revealed that even when they attempt to read the back labels, they struggle to determine whether nutrient levels exceed the recommended daily intake.

“This proves that the current nutrition labeling does not work. We need FOPL as an intervention to provide clear and accessible food information for all,” added San Luis. 

Food warning signs preferred by parents 

Nationwide, front-of-pack warning labels emerged as the preferred FOPL scheme due to its direct messaging and ease of understanding. Respondents believe that by warning them of potential health harms of food products, the labels will help them quickly decide whether to buy them or not.  

These findings match the previous findings from a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which revealed that 66% of Filipinos favor the Warning Label model. 

Meanwhile, mothers affirmed the positive effect of food warning labels in pursuing better health outcomes for their families. Additionally, several male participants also shared that warning labels would allow them to compare brands of similar food items to determine which are healthier. 

The participants also said that they will support a national policy requiring warning labels on food. 

"Filipinos are calling for food labels to protect their families’ health," San Luis added. "There is a demand from actual consumers for the passage of the Front-of-Pack Warning Label Bill (FOPWL Bill) to help them make informed decisions for their loved ones."

The proposed FOPWL Bill aims to curb the growing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by empowering Filipinos to choose healthier diets.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), high intake of unhealthy food high in fats, sugar, and sodium, significantly increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. 

ChatGPT said:

Recent focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao by ImagineLaw, a public interest law organization, have unveiled a significant preference among Filipino parents and household decision-makers for front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) on food products. This preference stems from the desire for accessible and straightforward nutritional information to facilitate informed food purchases.

The Need for Clearer Nutritional Information

Participants in the FGDs expressed challenges in interpreting existing back-of-pack nutrition labels. Many admitted that understanding these labels required conscious effort, leading them to primarily focus on price and expiration dates during purchases. Even when attempting to read the nutritional information, they struggled to assess whether nutrient levels exceeded recommended daily intakes. This feedback indicates that current labeling practices may not effectively communicate essential health information to consumers.

Preference for Warning Labels

The discussions highlighted a strong inclination towards front-of-pack warning labels due to their direct messaging and ease of understanding. Parents believe that such labels would enable them to quickly identify and avoid products with potentially harmful health effects, thereby aiding in making healthier choices for their families. This sentiment aligns with a previous Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, where 66% of Filipinos favored the Warning Label model.

Global Perspectives on Front-of-Pack Labeling

The preference for FOPWL in the Philippines mirrors global trends advocating for clearer nutritional information on food packaging. In October 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed draft guidelines recommending that packaged foods and beverages display clear, front-of-package nutritional information. This initiative aims to combat the global obesity crisis driven by high consumption of processed foods rich in salt, sugar, and fat, contributing to health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Notably, only 43 WHO member countries have implemented either mandatory or voluntary front-of-package labeling. Effective labeling systems, like Chile's warning labels indicating high levels of unhealthy ingredients, have been cited as examples. 

Similarly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new regulations requiring food manufacturers to display warning labels on the front of food packages. These labels would highlight key nutritional information on salt, added sugar, and saturated fat, aiming to help consumers make healthier choices and address rising diet-related health problems such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The proposal has sparked discussions about its potential impact on consumer behavior and the food industry's response. 

The Call for Policy Implementation

The findings from ImagineLaw's FGDs have bolstered support for a national policy mandating warning labels on food products in the Philippines. Parents and household decision-makers are advocating for the passage of the Front-of-Pack Warning Label Bill (FOPWL Bill), aiming to empower consumers to make healthier dietary choices and curb the growing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the WHO, high intake of unhealthy foods high in fats, sugar, and sodium significantly increases the risk of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

Conclusion

The preference for front-of-pack warning labels among Filipino parents reflects a broader global movement towards enhancing nutritional transparency on food packaging. Implementing such labels could play a pivotal role in guiding consumers towards healthier choices, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes.

Request for Media Partnership

March 12, 2025




To: Members of the Media




Subject: Request for Media Partnership – Umalohokan Workshop: Voters Education and Awareness / Recognizing Fake News and Disinformation/ Encouraging Environmental Sustainability 




Dear Members of the Media,




I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan (SIS), I am reaching out to invite your media outfit to be our esteemed media partner for the

Umalohokan: Voters Education and Awareness / Recognizing Fake News and Disinformation / Encouraging Environmental Sustainability, scheduled for April 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM onwards at the Simbayanan ni Maria Community Foundation at 115 MLQ street, Purok 2 New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City.

This groundbreaking initiative is not just an event—it’s a movement. Named after the "Umalohokan," the heralds of pre-colonial Philippines who spread vital information to communities, this gathering seeks to amplify the voices of young leaders who will shape the nation’s future. The Umalohokan is a series of events that our group of social media personalities regularly hold as among our advocacy programs.


This timely and crucial forum is dedicated to equipping our community—especially the youth and scholars of the Samahan ng mga Iskolar ng Simbayanan (SIS)—with essential knowledge on responsible voting, critical thinking, and combating fake news and disinformation plus protecting the environment in today’s digital landscape. Given the media's pivotal role in shaping public awareness, we believe that you would be an invaluable partner in amplifying our advocacy and reaching a broader audience.

Among our invited resource speakers are representatives from Vera Files, LENTE Philippines, PPCRV, BAN Toxics, Ecowaste Coalition, Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement, and other NGOs.

As our media partner, your organization will be recognized as a key supporter of this initiative and your logo, links and brand reels/videos can be shown on our online and offline promotional campaigns before, during and after the event. We would be honored to collaborate with you in the following ways:




Event Coverage & Publicity: Feature the event in your news platforms, social media channels, and publications. We will send you our official press releases and final posters upon agreeing on the partnership.

Media Presence: Attend or assign representatives to cover and report on the discussions and insights shared during the forum.

Interviews & Features: Provide an opportunity to interview our guest speakers and participants to further highlight the significance of voter education.



We are confident that this partnership will not only benefit our advocacy but also reinforce our commitment to fostering an informed and responsible electorate.




We would love the opportunity to discuss this collaboration further at your convenience. Please feel free to contact us at Mobile number 09473820042 or email address rossdelrosario@gmail.com for any inquiries.




Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to the possibility of working together to make this event a success.




Sincerely,



Ross Flores Del Rosario
Umalohokan co-founder
09473820042
rossdelrosario@gmail.com