Cogs in the Wheel: Dr. Mariano “Ning” B. Lopez

Rotary Club Write-up

Dr. Mariano B. Lopez is the 51st President of the Philippine College of Physicians. He will begin his presidency on 01 June 2015 to 31 May 2016.

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) is the umbrella organization of internal medicine specialists in the Philippines and was organized 61 years ago, in 1953. It has 22 regional chapters, 8 NCR chapters and 18 component and affiliate subspecialty societies. It has approximately 9,400 members belonging to internal medicine and the different subspecialties. The PCP Annual Convention is the largest medical convention being held in the country each year. The PCP is an affiliate society of the Philippine Medical Association and a member-society of the International Society of Internal Medicine (ISIM) and the ASEAN Federation of Internal Medicine (AFIM).

Its vision is to be a world-class organization of physicians that sets the highest standards and ethical ideals in the practice of Internal Medicine and provides dynamic leadership in the promotion of health and quality of life in the management of disease in the formulation of relevant health policies.

The 3 main reasons for its existence are: 1. Continuing Medical Education of internists and other physicians; 2. Certification and Regulation of the Subspecialty of Internal Medicine; 3. Accreditation and Certification of the Training Programs for Internal Medicine in the Philippines.

PCP is involved in many advocacies such as priority programs pertaining to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like anti-tobacco, healthy diet, non-motorized traffic, food labelling and environmental change; primary care; and rational use of technology/drugs in stem cell, organ transplantation, compassionate use of medical marijuana (House Bill 4777). Its biggest contribution is the active championing of the passing of the SIN TAX law and the promulgation of its IRR. PCP’s new branding is “I.M : Healing and Leading with Integrity”.