ImagineLaw celebrates 10 years of public health advocacy through Haraya
To mark its 10th anniversary, ImagineLaw brought together government leaders, civil society organizations, development partners, health experts, and advocates for Haraya: Imagining the Future of Public Health for Filipinos, a one-day celebration of the organization's milestones and a shared vision for the future of public health.
Established in 2016 with the belief that the law is a powerful tool for creating meaningful social change, ImagineLaw has spent the last decade advancing evidence-based policies and strategic communications across road safety, healthy food environments, tobacco and alcohol control, HIV/AIDS, and other public health priorities.
The celebration opened with the launch of ImagineLaw's 10-year impact report, led by ImagineLaw’s Executive Director Atty. Sophia Monica San Luis, alongside keynote messages from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Department of Health - Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB) Director Maria Kristina Marasigan.
A major highlight of the event was the official launch of three new Quezon City road safety policies: the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Comprehensive Road Safety Code, the Safe School Zone Ordinance, and the Executive Order establishing the Quezon City Road Safety Working Group.
Haraya looked ahead through a special panel discussion called "Ang Kalusugan ay Mahalaga: Paghaharaya sa Mga Susunod na Sampung Taon." Moderated by Atty. Mikhail Laurence Millan, ImagineLaw's Project Manager for the Healthy Food Environment advocacy, the conversation featured DOH-HPB Director Marasigan, DOH-HPB Director Dr. Dominic Maddumba, and Baguio City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Chief Dr. Donnabel Panes. They reflected on the progress made over the past decade and shared their aspirations for a healthier Philippines in the next ten years.
Beyond celebrating past achievements, Haraya also became a space for meaningful conversations on the future of public health. A series of presentations in the afternoon featured leading voices from across different advocacy areas, including Rodley Carza of the Asia Pacific Alcohol Policy Alliance for alcohol prevention and control, Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance for tobacco prevention and control, Gybel Agragado of Move As One Coalition for road safety and active mobility, Dr. Rodney Jimenez of the Philippine College of Physicians for heart health, Pong Basas of PANTAY for HIV prevention and control, and Dr. Ma. Asuncion "Mianne" Silvestre of Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina for maternal and newborn healthcare. These speakers shared innovations that can help shape healthier communities in the years ahead. The discussions concluded with a synthesis and policy reflections from Director Ramon Navarra Jr. of the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Participants also explored interactive exhibits showcasing ImagineLaw's work across its advocacy areas. Guests experienced an art exhibit on healthy food environments, interactive displays on sodium reduction and alcohol harms, a lenticular exhibit illustrating the effects of smoking and vaping on lung health, and a road safety game highlighting appropriate speed limits in different road conditions.
More than a celebration of the past, Haraya reaffirmed the power of collaboration in advancing public health. As ImagineLaw enters its next decade, the event served as both a reflection on what has been achieved and an invitation for partners, advocates, and communities to continue imagining and building a healthier Philippines for all.
To learn more about ImagineLaw's journey and impact over the past decade, the Haraya: A Decade of Evidence-Based, People-Centered Policy Development and Advocacy report is available online. Read the full report here: https://tinyurl.com/2wxwu64e.