ZFF Strengthens Academic Partnerships for Health Leadership in Central Visayas

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) strengthened its academic collaborations in Central Visayas on March 31, 2026, as its leadership team met with two higher education institutions to advance the implementation of its Health Leadership and Governance Program (HLGP) in the region.

ZFF first met with the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, a new institution joining the Foundation’s pool of academic partners. The session brought together UP Cebu’s HLGP team and Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar, who welcomed the partnership and affirmed the university’s commitment to supporting local health and nutrition systems development. The two parties formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding between UP Cebu and ZFF during the visit, marking the official start of the collaboration.

ZFF also met with the Cebu Normal University (CNU) HLGP team, led by its president, Dr. Laurence Garcia. Dr. Garcia expressed his full support for the partnership and granted approval to move forward with preparations for joint implementation.

Austere Panadero, ZFF President and Executive Director, together with Philip Jerome Flores, Acting ZFF Institute Director, initiated these engagements, emphasizing the vital role of academic institutions in shaping future health leaders and sustaining governance improvements in local communities. These reinforce ZFF’s longstanding commitment to fostering strong academic partnerships as a cornerstone of its strategy to advance responsive, equitable, and enduring health systems across the country.