On March 19, the Center for Legislative Development International (CLD) and the Health Policy Network will hold another roundtable discussion aimed exclusively for media professionals to discuss policy options to soften impact of the global financial crisis on the health sector.   
 
Without much fanfare, the global economic crisis landed on our shores when the first batch of displaced Filipino overseas workers in Taiwan returned jobless.  This was immediately followed with the closure of Intel processor company and the last flight of FedEx from Subic a few weeks ago.
 
In fact, the International Labor Organization has warned that the crisis could push more than 140 million people in Asia into extreme poverty this year due to widespread unemployment.  Locally, social analysts have aired their concern that the combined effects of extreme poverty and unemployment could lead to a catastrophe for millions of Filipinos who are dependent on the private and government health insurance system.  
 
The media forum will be held March 19, from 10 am to 12 noon at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.  For further details, please call Ms. Netski Pinili at 750-1010 local 2072 or 703-1245.