Recognizing the critical importance of nutrition during the First 1000 Days of life for a child’s health and development, the Zuellig Family Foundation and Nutritional International commissioned a survey to assess health and nutrition service delivery and outcomes in Puerto Princesa City, Tacurong City, and Tagum City to support their project on developing urban nutrition systems in the Philippines.

From 2019 to 2022, Sarangani Province made significant improvements in the nutritional status of pregnant women, infants, and children due to strong political commitment, substantial health system investments, and active convergence programs, though challenges remain in the coherence and integration of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs, necessitating local legislation and enhanced convergence mechanisms.

This case study analyzes the factors that contributed to the improvement of Sarangani Province’s nutritional outcomes from 2018 to 2022, describing changes in nutritional outcomes, identifying effective strategies and mechanisms, and examining the influence of leadership and governance interventions as well as lessons learned in planning, implementing, and monitoring nutrition programs.

This baseline assessment report evaluates the existing governance measures related to the implementation of first 1,000 days (F1KD) services in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte, providing a detailed analysis of current nutrition and governance landscapes and offering strategic recommendations for improvement.

Tacloban City — Local government leaders from Samar and Southern Leyte gathered for a two-day workshop last September 16–17, 2025, that focused on a shared goal: making the most of PhilHealth resources to support adolescent health.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) organized the activity under its Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP). The workshop formed part of the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Dr. Ofelia Alcantara, a public health advocate and former mayor of Tolosa, Leyte, facilitated the sessions. Over 20 participants from nine municipalities joined:

• Southern Leyte: Sogod, Libagon, Bontoc, Liloan, Malitbog
• Samar: Marabut, Basey, Sta. Rita, Villareal

A Shared Vision for Young People’s Health

The gathering highlighted the commitment of local government units (LGUs) to reduce adolescent pregnancy and promote youth leadership in health governance. The discussions built on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019, which guarantees access to quality and affordable health services.

Dr. Alcantara encouraged LGUs to view PhilHealth funds as a lifeline. “PhilHealth reimbursements are not just numbers, they’re lifelines for our communities. We need to ensure that every peso translates into better care, especially for our youth,” she said.

Related articles:

• Learning and Working Together: Insights from the Youth Leadership Colloquiums in Southern Leyte and Samar
• Youth and Local Leaders Join Forces to Prevent Teen Pregnancies in Samar
• Southern Leyte Shows Progress in Reducing Teen Pregnancies

Strengthening Local Capacity

The UNFPA-ZFFproject  in  partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Philhealth, and provincial governments of Samar and So. Leyte has already helped several LGUs secure Maternity Care Package (MCP) and accreditation, and ensure Primary Care Facilities (PCFs) are licensed. Despite these gains, LGUs still face challenges in managing funds, navigating PhilHealth’s online portal, and aligning reimbursements with their local health priorities.

To address these issues, the workshop introduced a four-part strategy:

1. Assess current practices and barriers in PhilHealth income use;
2. Develop a local fund management framework linked to UHC and adolescent health;
3. Deliver tailored mentoring and technical tools for LGUs; and
4. Produce a monograph to guide expansion and institutionalization.

The workshop opened a series of capacity-building activities for Samar and Southern Leyte. Municipal Health Officers, PhilHealth focal persons, and Provincial Development Management Officers actively joined the discussions. Partners from UNFPA and KOICA also expressed support.

LGUs in Samar and Southern Leyte now move forward with a stronger plan to maximize PhilHealth financing. Together with ZFF and its partners, they aim to turn adolescent reproductive health from a policy promise into a lived reality for young people in their communities.

Author: Floro Acaba Jr., ZFF EYLGP Provincial Account Officer for Samar

As we celebrate the Zuellig Family Foundation’s (ZFF) founding anniversary this September, we honor the values of Bridging Leadership—ownership, co-ownership, and co-creation—that continue to inspire change in our health and community work.

Through the I Am A Bridging Leader campaign, colleagues and friends share their reflections on what being a Bridging Leader means to them and how it has shaped their journey in building healthier communities.

 

Featured Entries

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), together with the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) and Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), is working closely with local leaders in Basilan to strengthen child health, nutrition, and early education. Recent meetings in Lamitan City and Isabela City highlighted not just enthusiasm for the program, but also important insights on what it will take to make lasting change.

Both cities already have Child Development Centers (CDCs), Child Development Workers (CDWs), and Child Development Teachers (CDTs). But leaders themselves acknowledged key questions: 

• Are these structures enough to reach all families? Is there a strong system that ensures these programs truly work together? 
• And are health, nutrition, and education efforts moving in harmony? 

These reflections signal that the groundwork exists, but gaps remain that need to be understood through the upcoming baselining activities.

Related articles:

• Mayor Oric Furigay of Lamitan City, Basilan: Conquering obstacles to achieve nutrition goals
• Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Isabela de Basilan: Strengthening nutrition programs with an empowered leadership

A meaningful insight came from Lamitan City Mayor Oric Furigay, who underscored the rising need to support children with special needs. He asked for help in creating a program for Special Education (SPED) services for children as young as three to five years old. His request reflects not only the reality of increasing cases but also his personal commitment to inclusive child development.

Both mayors pointed out that aligning health, nutrition, and education is essential. They see the value of an integrated approach that supports families from pregnancy to early schooling, ensuring children receive consistent care throughout their early years.

These conversations show that Basilan is not starting from scratch—it already has important resources, leaders who are engaged, and a willingness to collaborate. With ZFF, KCFI, and AFI working alongside local governments, the momentum is growing to transform these insights into action for the benefit of families and children in Basilan.

Author: Joyce Viar, ZFF Nutrition Director

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga celebrated its 2025 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on September 19, 2025 in Butuan City. The gathering honored the dedication and achievements of partners advancing nutrition in the region. During the ceremony, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) received the Leadership Award for Nutrition Governance Capacity, a recognition of its commitment to strengthening governance systems that prioritize health and nutrition.

ZFF began its nutrition governance work in the region in 2022 in partnership with the four island municipalities of Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte, and the Asian Institute of Management Alumni Association under the Ahon Siargao initiative with support and assistance from NNC Caraga. This collaboration has since expanded through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement) in the municipalities of Del Carmen, San Francisco, Pilar, and Burgos.

Related article:

• Building Stronger Nutrition Systems in Siargao: The Ahon Siargao Experience

This year, ZFF also sustained leadership interventions for health and nutrition by onboarding Governor Neil Demerey of the Province of Dinagat Islands, together with NNC Caraga. These efforts continue to highlight the foundation’s mission to equip local leaders with the knowledge and skills to design and implement sustainable programs that address the root causes of malnutrition.

The recognition given to ZFF underscores the vital role of civil society in building stronger partnerships for nutrition. By investing in leadership and capacity-building, ZFF stands as a partner to government and communities alike in realizing the vision of a healthier, well-nourished, and empowered Caraga.

Authors: Samantha Morales, ZFF Nutrition Knowledge Management and Communications Associate; Loriegrace Mindoro, ZFF Provincial Account Officer for Catanduanes and Surigao del Norte

Santa Rosa, Laguna — The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s Bayang Malusog Community of Practice (CoP) held a face-to-face learning visit on September 4, 2025, at Healthway QualiMed Hospital, where Chief Operating Officer Atty. Nirmala Barbara Vanguardia welcomed members and introduced the hospital’s approach to providing quality health care.

Participants representing 11 CoP member areas (Aklan, Apayao, Benguet, Eastern Samar, Ifugao, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, and Baguio City) took part in the session to learn how a private health institution manages its systems and sustains its operations. The visit gave participants an opportunity to compare experiences and see how good practices in hospital and primary care management could inspire solutions in local government health systems. 

Hospital leaders presented the facility’s background, expansion plans, and organizational structure. They emphasized that clarifying roles and responsibilities helps teams work effectively and prevents overlaps. Members found this lesson particularly relevant as many provinces are still refining their own organizational arrangements for Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation.

Related articles:

• Bayang Malusog Community of Practice: Advancing Health Care Provider Networks for Universal Health Care
• Insights from the 2024 Bayang Malusog Community of Practice Sessions

The hospital also showcased its referral network under the Healthway Medical Network, explaining how it links patients to appropriate care, supports information flow, and ensures continuity of services. CoP members noted that strengthening referral systems remains a common challenge in local settings, making this example valuable. The discussion on financial management further gave members insights on how sound systems can sustain service delivery and improve efficiency.

A guided tour of the hospital allowed participants to observe operations firsthand, from equipment standards to human resource practices. The interactive exchange encouraged members to raise questions on how these systems could be adapted in their provinces, especially in contexts where resources are limited.

In the plenary session, members reflected on the visit and shared how they plan to apply their learnings. Some said the clear structure and systematic networking approach of Healthway could serve as models for strengthening their own provincial health systems. Others expressed that seeing the hospital’s practices in action made the lessons more concrete and easier to adapt.

Dr. Catherine Chung, Local Health Systems Director at ZFF, closed the activity with words of encouragement, reminding the members that peer learning and exposure to different models help build stronger foundations for UHC. She urged participants to translate their insights into action, carrying forward the motivation from the visit into their communities.