Zuellig Family Foundation conferred with Drs. Jess and Trining dela Paz Award 2025

Ateneo de Davao has conferred the Drs. Jess and Trining dela Paz Award to the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), in recognition of its work in transformative leadership in public health. The award is given to honorary members, exceptional individuals, and organizations whose achievements and contributions to society reflect the highest ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service.

This award also recognizes ZFF’s exceptional commitment to public service, philanthropy, and societal betterment, and pays tribute to the Foundation’s extensive and impactful contributions, particularly in the areas of Universal Health Care implementation, Nutrition and Health Governance, and Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health. The esteemed members of the awards committee acknowledge the Foundation’s work and unwavering dedication, which has brought significant improvements, especially to underserved communities in Mindanao.

Transformative Impact on Universal Health Care and Primary Health Care

Strengthening local health systems and improving access for vulnerable communities to primary health care has been the cornerstone of The Zuellig Family Foundation’s work with local governments. From its initial pilot municipalities in 2008, ZFF has mainstreamed and scaled up its engagement by working with Department of Health (DOH) Centers for Health and Development, and provincial governments to ensure achievement of Universal Health Care (UHC) in the Philippines. ZFF’s work with the LGUs focuses on capacity building of governors and their provincial health teams to meet local health system maturity targets and ensuring access to primary health services. As a driving force for UHC, access to quality primary health care ensures that every Filipino’s right to optimal health outcomes is achieved. 

Commitment to Nutrition and Health Governance 

Understanding the critical role of nutrition in overall health, ZFF has implemented numerous initiatives aimed at combating malnutrition among young children and pregnant women since 2017. These programs focus on providing capacity building and technical support to Local Chief Executives (governors and mayors) and local leaders to bridge systemic nutritional gaps among vulnerable populations and improve governance of health and nutrition programs. 

ZFF has engaged with all six regions in Mindanao, working with a total of 13 provinces and eight cities over the years. Currently, ZFF continues to engage with ten provinces in the region, maintaining strong partnerships to enhance local capacities and outcomes. These sustained efforts have led to measurable improvements in the nutritional status of children and families, particularly in provinces such as Zamboanga del Norte, Sarangani, and Basilan.

Focus on Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health

Recognizing the importance of addressing the unique health needs of adolescents and the youth, the Zuellig Family Foundation has prioritized initiatives to contribute to the reduction of adolescent pregnancies, including cities and municipalities in Mindanao through The Challenge Initiative (TCI) in partnership with William Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Youth Leadership and Governance Program (YLGP), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

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The Drs. Jess and Trining de la Paz award is named after an outstanding couple in Davao, both physicians. The Drs. Jess and Trining de la Paz Award is intended to honor laymen and laywomen whose lives and work reflect love and concern for their fellows, following the Gospel’s great commandment of love.