Zuellig to host pandemic forum on May 13

MANILA, Philippines - The Zuellig Family Foundation in coordination with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response will host an Influenza A H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Public-Private Forum on Wednesday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ateneo Professional School Amphitheatre, Rockwell, Makati City.

Ambassador Roberto R. Romulo, chairman of the foundation, said: ”There is a need for the business sector to step up its readiness to continue delivering critical services in support of the government’s pandemic response plan. Fortunately we don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ because the foundation had developed a contingency plan during the avian flu crisis. It is a question of updating for the current crisis.”

As chairman of the Philippine APEC Business Advisory Council, Romulo also organized a contingency planning session in Singapore and Hong Kong during the avian flu scare in cooperation with their respective Ministries of Health. Romulo added: “We cannot assume that we are going to be spared this time just because of our past experience with SARS and avian flu.”

Representatives from the business sector are being invited given the fact that business has a critical role to play in support of pandemic preparedness. Government and multi-lateral agencies directly involved in implementing pandemic response plans are also invited to attend.

This forum aims to provide the private sector with an opportunity to assess the situation and to coordinate a collaborative and effective response to this emerging global health concern. The Zuellig Family Foundation can be contacted through telephone numbers (02) 8640184 and (02) 8640197 or email at [email protected].