The National Reference Laboratory for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases (NRL-ERBD) is at the forefront in the diagnostic surveillance for notifiable diseases such as diphtheria, atypical pneumonia, leptospirosis, and anthrax. In addition to providing laboratory based-data for national health policies through partnerships with the Epidemiology Bureau (EB), regional Centers for Health Development (CHD), Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Units (RESU) nationwide, and other stakeholders, it also gives technical laboratory support through differential diagnosis in cases of unknown etiology using culture, serology and molecular methods. The NRL-ERBD also conducts bacteriology training and secures laboratory testing quality through the National External Quality Assessment Scheme.