Acting WHO Representative to the Philippines

Dr Susan P Mercado, the current Director of Building Healthy Communities and Populations of WHO-WPRO, is the acting WHO Representative in the Philippines since 21 January 2013. She is assisted by Dr Eigil Sorensen, Senior Health Adviser, Office of the Regional Director, WHO-WPRO.

Dr Mercado has been with WHO for more than ten years and has held the following positions: Team Leader, Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO-WPRO (2008-2012); Team Leader, Urbanization and Health Equity Research and Head of Knowledge Network on Urban Settings for WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health at the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan (2005-2007) and Acting Regional Adviser on Health Promotion, WHO-WPRO (2001-2004).

Prior to her work with WHO, Dr Mercado was Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of the Department of Health, the Philippines under Secretary Alberto G Romualdez Jr. She also served as Head Executive Assistant of Secretary Juan M Flavier. She has extensive experience in political advocacy and health legislation and as consultant to the Philippine Senate Committee on Health for eight years. She is recognized for her expertise in health communication and was involved in many national media campaigns in the Philippines related to family planning, reproductive health, immunization, tobacco control and domestic violence.