Sustaining the Legacy: First Batch of Roberto R. Romulo Public Health Leadership and Governance Fellows Graduate
News | by Krizzia Esperanza
Last March 14, 2025, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) celebrated a milestone as the provinces of Aklan, Davao de Oro, Dinagat Islands, and Kalinga graduated from the Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance. This marks the end of a year-long journey where governors and health leaders sharpened their leadership skills to tackle real-life health challenges in their provinces towards the realization of Universal Health Care (UHC).
The RRR Fellowship Program was established in honor of ZFF’s founding chair, Roberto R. Romulo, in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Public Health (CPH) and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance. Dr. Anthony Faraon, Deputy Executive Director of ZFF explained that the program combines specialized training, mentorship, and coaching to help leaders develop a clear vision and drive systemic health improvements. “The late Roberto Romulo believed in addressing health inequities in rural areas. This program continues his legacy by equipping leaders with the skills to create meaningful change,” he shared.
Each of the graduating fellows presented their province’s health challenges and breakthroughs:
- Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores (Aklan) focused on UHC implementation, securing PhilHealth accreditation for primary care facilities, and improving digital health records. His leadership ensured all 18 primary care facilities in Aklan are fully licensed, making the province a model in Western Visayas.
- Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga (Davao de Oro) prioritized improving child immunization rates and reducing teenage pregnancy. She emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and government accountability in strengthening the healthcare system.
- Gov. Nilo Demerey, Jr. (Dinagat Islands) tackled malnutrition, maternal health, and limited hospital services. His initiatives included door-to-door healthcare services, a zero-billing policy, and a senior citizen health and wellness program.
- Gov. James Edduba (Kalinga) focused on reducing maternal deaths, improving emergency health response, and strengthening mental health programs, embracing the ZFF Bridging Leadership concepts he learned even when he was still the Mayor of Pasil.
The event also included a panel discussion where health and governance experts shared insights on sustaining health leadership initiatives beyond the fellowship program. The panelists included Dr. Manuel Dayrit, ZFF Chairman; Dr. Leizel Lagrada, Health Equity Program Coordinator at UP-CPH; and Dr. Anthony Cordero, Community Health Development Program Director at UP Manila. The discussion stressed the need for continuous capacity-building, policy alignment, and community engagement to ensure long-term success.
Liana Romulo shared a heartfelt tribute to her father, Roberto R. Romulo, recalling his resilience and optimism, even in illness, and the lessons he imparted—humor for emotional strength, perseverance through the right tools, and clarity in one’s contributions to society. She expressed gratitude to ZFF for honoring his legacy through the fellowship. Daniel Zuellig, speaking for ZFF, congratulated the graduates, noting the crucial role of strong local leaders in public health. He encouraged them to confront challenges with courage and vision, remain data-driven, and connected, reinforcing the power of collaboration in achieving lasting health improvements.
Former ZFF Chairman Prof. Ernesto Garilao challenged the governors to think beyond their terms and align their goals with Ambisyon 2040, the national long-term vision for a better Philippines. “Governors can be game changers in local government performance. The challenge is to think long-term and set ambitious targets that will create lasting impact,” he said.
As the first batch of RRR fellows, these governors have set the stage for future leaders. ZFF and its academic partners will continue to support the fellows and ensure that the gains from this leadership program translate into sustainable improvements in the country’s healthcare system.
