President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the third Wednesday of June of every year as “National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Day,” directing government agencies to step up public awareness and support for programs that prevent and treat chronic respiratory diseases.
The designation was made through Proclamation No. 1104, signed on December 4.
The proclamation cites the Universal Health Care Act, which mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to strengthen national efforts in health promotion, as well as the long-standing observance of June as “No Smoking Month” in line with global anti-tobacco campaigns.
The President noted the need to raise public understanding of pulmonary rehabilitation and reinforce the government’s anti-smoking and anti-vaping advocacy, “given the direct link between smoking and chronic respiratory diseases.”
The measure also highlights the importance of preventive care and rehabilitation in addressing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other lung-related illnesses.
Malacañang said pulmonary rehabilitation, a combination of exercise training, education, and behavioral interventions, is internationally recognized as a standard of care that improves the well-being and quality of life of patients with chronic respiratory diseases, particularly those linked to smoking and vaping.
The proclamation contributes to the government’s broader public health agenda, which has emphasized preventive care and wellness programs amid a rise in respiratory illnesses nationwide.
All national government agencies, local governments, state universities and colleges, and government-controlled corporations were directed to support the DOH’s initiatives.
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and private institutions were likewise encouraged to participate.
