MANILA, Philippines - With 100 members when it was founded on March 13, 1979, or 31 years ago, by a group of private hospital administrators and medical professionals, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) has provided support to efforts to promote the welfare of the general public and the interests of its members. The number of members of the PHAP has steadily increased to more than 600 member hospitals at present, a significant majority of the more than 1,000 private hospitals operating in the country today. The PHAP observes its 31st Anniversary with the holding of its Annual National Convention and Exhibition at the Centennial Hall of the Historic Landmark Manila Hotel on November 22-23, 2010, with the theme "Philippine Healthcare Delivery System: New Challenges." Peter Ford, Vice President and Head of Healthcare Liability for the Asia Pacific region, will be speaking at the convention on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, as part of a presentation entitled "Healthcare Liability Coverage: Preventing Problems and Controlling Outcomes." Representing every region in the country, the membership of the PHAP has worked unceasingly in furthering its vision of maintaining excellent and professional hospital care among its members, promoting relevant and realistic hospital management to insure integrity and the quality of service, and uniting its members in working effectively with relevant government agencies so that the private sector service remains responsive to increasing tertiary health care demand. We congratulate the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines led by its President, Dr. Rustico A. Jimenez, other Officers and Members, on the occasion of its 31st Annual National Convention and Exhibition. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.