Eastern Visayas, known for its resilience in the face of significant health inequities, is one of the poorest regions in the Philippines. Three of its six provinces rank among the top 20 poorest in the country. The region’s challenging geography, with numerous island municipalities and mountainous areas, poses logistical challenges for healthcare delivery. Additionally, peace and order issues further hinder access to health services.

Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino’s journey to leadership in public health mirrors her region and is a testament to her commitment and resilience. Born and raised in Eastern Samar, she witnessed the lack of reliable public healthcare firsthand. These experiences inspired her to give back to her community, leading her to a career in a district hospital in Eastern Samar and later training in pathology at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Manila. Her involvement with a public health NGO, working on projects such as blindness eradication and medical missions, ignited her passion for public health and set her on a leadership path.

Returning to Eastern Visayas in 1996, Dr. Sabalberino took on various roles at the Department of Health (DOH), handling programs like disease prevention and control, voluntary blood donation and local health systems development, among others. By 2020, she was promoted to  DOH-Eastern Visayas Regional Director, a role she embraced with a vision to improve health outcomes in the region.

Strategic Initiatives and Achievements

The Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, Republic Act No. 11223, aims to provide every Filipino with affordable health services. However, UHC implementation varies across regions due to diverse healthcare needs, resource capabilities, and differences in government leadership. In Eastern Visayas, the focus has been on addressing these unique challenges through strategic health financing and strengthening local health systems.

Dr. Sabalberino’s approach to implementing UHC involves fostering collaboration among local government units (LGUs), healthcare workers, and various stakeholders. She says, “”I realized early on that we need help in accelerating the implementation of UHC  in the region. We asked various stakeholders for help because we know our limitations.”

Health financing, a critical aspect of UHC implementation, is primarily facilitated through the Special Health Fund (SHF). The SHF consolidates resources at the provincial and city levels, dedicated to financing various health services. Efforts have been made to align policies and improve collaboration with entities like PhilHealth, the Department of Health (DOH), DILG and the Commission on Audit (COA), ensuring healthcare delivery’s sustainability, equity, and effectiveness.

Leadership development programs, supported by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), have significantly contributed to deepening regional leaders’ accountability and ownership. These programs have also provided valuable training to local health leaders, enhancing their ability to address health challenges in their respective areas.

Members of the Regional UHC Coordinating Team (RUCT) completed training under the Bayang Malusog Regional Leadership Development Program (LDP). This program focuses on deepening accountability and ownership of regional leaders in UHC implementation. Training modules cover practicum experience, leadership acts, and lessons in implementing UHC and nutrition projects and programs.

The Strategic Dialogue on UHC Implementation and Health Financing Implications for Enhanced Health Service Delivery focused on the practical implementation of the UHC Law. Participants discussed their roles in addressing challenges, high-impact interventions, and the status of policy/COA guidelines on the SHF. Theory U and the Bridging Leadership Framework have been instrumental in processing and implementing these strategies.

Community-based initiatives, a cornerstone of UHC implementation, have been championed to address specific regional needs. For instance, in mountainous areas with protein deficiency, interventions included high-protein crop cultivation and free-range chicken farming, ensuring strategies fit the unique challenges of different communities.

Adaptive leadership and conflict management are essential aspects of Dr. Sabalberino’s strategy. Training sessions managing conflicts, team dynamics, and applying the adaptive leadership toolkit to mobilize people and resources helped leaders develop strategies to address health challenges effectively.

“I am so thankful, especially for the governance program for our health leaders. It’s really helping us a lot. It allowed our health leaders to appreciate and be more aware of the health challenges in their respective areas,” Dr. Sabalberino states.

Impact of UHC in Eastern Visayas

Under Dr. Sabalberino’s transformative leadership, UHC implementation in Eastern Visayas has brought significant changes. By upgrading health facilities and establishing specialty centers, the region has witnessed a remarkable increase in accessibility to health services. Health indicators have shown a positive trend, with reductions in maternal and child mortality rates and better outcomes in nutrition and disease prevention programs.

Enhanced health financing through the SHF will ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, providing financial protection to those most in need. More robust local health systems have emerged, with leadership development and strategic dialogues making these systems more responsive and capable of addressing community-specific health challenges.

Looking Forward

Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino’s efforts have improved health outcomes in one of the Philippines’ most challenging regions but also set a benchmark for other regions striving to implement UHC. Her vision is a dream and a roadmap for a healthier, more equitable future for all Filipinos.

When asked about the legacy she wants to leave in Eastern Visayas, she muses, “I reflected on this. I asked, Lord, why did you put me in this situation, what do you want from me? I thought, if I can help improve health outcomes in the region and reduce health inequities, I will be very happy with that. To give opportunities and provide more access to health services, that will be a very good legacy for Eastern Visayas.”

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) facilitated the Bayang Malusog orientation on the Universal Health Care (UHC)-Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) for the Provincial Health Board (PHB) of Laguna on June 24, 2024. Opening the event, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez stressed how combining efforts from municipalities and national agencies can make the best use of resources and achieve health goals for the province.

Dr. Rene Bagamasbad, Provincial Health Officer II and Co-chair of the Laguna PHB, outlined the orientation’s objectives, focusing on the program’s benefits, the provincial health system, and the referral network. He also discussed the responsibilities of the PHB and other stakeholders.

Dr. Brittany Mandalihan from the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 4A shared the status of HCPN implementation by DOH, and PhilHealth’s role in formulating policies. She explained that Laguna was chosen as an HCPN demonstration site, alongside Aklan, Benguet, and Sarangani for its mature health system and active PHB. Mr. Richard Lee and Mr. Rene Fernandez from the Laguna Provincial Health Office (PHO) presented an overview of the province’s HCPN. They discussed the need for a resolution to formalize the network, involve private sectors, and address gaps in electronic medical records interoperability.

In the afternoon, Dr. Edwin Mercado elaborated on the PHB’s role in managing and implementing the HCPN program with PhilHealth and other stakeholders. He also led a session on planning the strategic direction for the Laguna HCPN, including setting timelines, defining success metrics, and planning future activities.

Dr. Bagamasbad concluded the orientation emphasizing the importance of collaboration and strategic planning for the successful implementation of UHC-HCPN. The session laid the groundwork for a more integrated and efficient healthcare delivery system in Laguna, ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all Lagunenses. 

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) gathered mayors and municipal officers from five municipalities of Basilan—Al-Barka, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Hadji Muhtamad, Tabuan Lasa, and Ungkaya Pukan—for the Municipal Nutrition Governance Program-Nutrition and Health Leadership for Resilience (MNGP-NutriHeaL) learning track last June 6-8, 2024. The training, which is the first module of a two-part series, aimed to deepen ownership and accountability for nutrition among municipal leaders. 

The event saw the attendance of Basilan Governor Hadjiman “Jim” Hataman-Salliman together with provincial officers on health and nutrition. The governor has been proactive in engaging the municipalities in nutrition efforts for Basilan prior to the activity, spearheading the Leaders for Nutrition Forum in 2023. His presence reinforced his commitment to enhancing health and nutrition outcomes across Basilan.

Explaining the reason why nutrition is important to the overall development of the province, Governor Jim said, “Mas maraming healthy na bata, mas maraming possibilities na magiging leader. ‘Yung quality ng constituents na Basileño, ‘yung kanilang contribution sa community, sa probinsiya natin, mas magiging maganda.” (More healthy children mean more possibilities for future leaders. The quality of our Basileño constituents and their contributions to the community and our province will greatly improve.)

This initiative is under the Basilan Assistance Program (BAP), which seeks to tackle the remaining nutrition and health challenges in the province by building on lessons from previous projects. BAP, set to run until the end of 2025, aligns with ZFF’s broader strategy of using prototyping and scaling-up frameworks to ensure sustainable interventions. This includes transferring knowledge to local government units (LGUs) and academic institutions and partnering with local non-government organizations (NGOs) to address social determinants of health.

Over the three days, participants engaged in various activities aimed at improving the health, food, and nutrition systems in their municipalities. They explored a leadership and change framework designed to guide improvements in these areas. Through in-depth analysis, the attendees identified the factors contributing to their current municipal realities and expressed their commitment to their mayor’s call to action.

One of the highlights of the training was the formulation of a shared vision for nutrition in their municipalities. The participants worked on identifying integration points for nutrition across various sectors and levels of governance. By the end of the module, they had created joint practicum action plans outlining priority actions and strategies to enhance their municipal health, food, and nutrition systems.

Mayor Moner Manisan of Tabuan Lasa stressed the need for proactive leadership in addressing nutrition issues. He shareed, “Kailangan ‘yung presensya ko, kailangan ako ‘yung frontliner dito. Dapat ngayon pa lang, pag planuhan na: ano ang gagawin natin, ano yung intervention ng LGU, lalong lalo na kaming mayor.” (My presence is needed, I have to be the frontliner here. Starting now, we should plan: what will we do, what interventions will the LGU implement, especially us mayors.

ZFF hopes that the knowledge and skills gained from this training will empower local leaders to drive significant improvements in their communities’ nutrition outcomes. The second module of the MNGP-NutriHeaL is anticipated to continue building on these foundations, offering further training, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure long-term success.

 

Themed “Building One Community for Nutrition”, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) gathered nutrition officers and leaders from Sarangani, Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, and Basilan to the first Pook Malusog Community of Practice (CoP) in Nutrition last June 26, 2024.

A platform for the group to collaborate, share insights, and learn from each other’s experiences, the Pook Malusog CoP validates and affirms best practices, and opens partnerships to adapt and harmonize innovative interventions. Dr. Anthony Faraon, ZFF Deputy Executive Director, emphasized how the CoP helps foster partnerships to improve nutrition programs. He said, “Our CoP would be the venue of our continuing work and partnership. This is just the start. We hope to continue learning together and work on identifying and improving our nutritionally-at-risk, pregnant women, and low-birth weight infants. Ang ating pagsasama-sama will continue for years.” (Our collaboration will continue on for years.)

Lou Ann Alterado, Nutrition Project Manager of ZFF, stressed the CoP objective further: “Our one goal is to reduce stunting and improve nutrition. Iba-iba ang approach natin dahil iba-iba ang context, pero gusto natin matuto sa ibang lugar para ma-apply sa iba pang lugar.” (Each region has a different approach due to varying contexts, but we aim to learn from each other to apply strategies across different areas.) 

The group identified themes or topics for the CoP. Common starting points include the significance of institutional support, proactivity of Local Chief Executives in championing nutrition, and social norms and behaviors affecting health and nutrition. In the afternoon, the group convened for the provincial and municipal sharing of strategies and approaches.

Provincial Sharing: Provincial Approaches to Enhancing Health and Nutrition

Hannah Bautista of Northern Samar shared their training of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and establishment of referral systems and in-patient therapeutic care facilities, contributing to the significant decline of stunting rates in the province. Alien Khio of Zamboanga del Norte talked about their partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) for the establishment of a food processing plant to produce nutritious foods and snacks. Nadzwa Sabandal of Basilan narrated their journey from having no resources to creating a comprehensive nutrition program, which includes standardized incentives for BNS. Dr. Arvin Alejandro of Sarangani, presenting via Zoom, introduced the Sarangani Health Information and Management System for tracking nutritional status and other health determinants.

Municipal Sharing: Strengthening Engagement with Barangays and Families in Health and Nutrition Programs

Dr. Nur Khan Istarul of Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, Jovelle Royandoyan of Pagsanghan, Samar, Natividad Lao of Bobon, Northern Samar, Ronilyne Moneva of Kiamba, Sarangani, and Melgian Saquilan of Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte represented their respective municipalities in the municipal sharing. Tipo-Tipo focused on co-ownership with local officials and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Pagsanghan showcased the “Hangkop” (Hug) stunting rehabilitation project and other early childhood nutrition programs. Bobon highlighted a multi-sectoral approach leading to functional Barangay Nutrition Committees. Kiamba’s Kiamba Cares project emphasized community empowerment, partnerships for nutrition financing, and tailored initiatives for Indigenous People communities. Leon Postigo promoted backyard gardening, prenatal care, and other community-driven programs, contributing to improved nutrition outcomes.

Dr. Jane Jaug of the Department of Health-Zamboanga del Norte, shared her reflection, noting good leadership as key to improved nutrition outcomes in the represented provinces and municipalities. She said, “Tuloy-tuloy lang ang pangarap, lalo na may good governance.” (Keep pursuing your dreams, especially when there is good governance.)

One Community for Nutrition: the Pook Malusog Community of Practice Facebook Group

In defining their engagement under the CoP, the group agreed to maintain a Facebook group page where they can exchange ideas, strategies, and perspectives in improving their nutrition program implementation. Dr. Joyce Ann Viar, ZFF Nutrition Portfolio Director, shared in closing, “This is not yet the end, but the beginning. CoP is not just a platform to exchange ideas and strategies, but part of ZFF’s commitment to continue the assistance in the provinces.”

On May 9-10, 2024, the second module of the Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance took place at Bayview Park Hotel Manila. This event brought together governors and provincial health officers from Aklan, Dinagat Islands, Davao de Oro, and Kalinga. The fellowship is an ongoing initiative aimed at fostering transformative leadership in public health, with a strong focus on innovative and inclusive strategies to achieve Universal Health Care (UHC).

Representing the four provinces in the event were Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores and Dr. Leo Magallanes Ismael, Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. and Dr. Vinjohan S. Manlapaz, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga and Dr. Antonio P. Ybiernas Jr., and Kalinga Governor James Edduba and Dr. Edward Tandingan.

During the event, participants shared their successes and addressed the challenges they face in their respective provinces. Prof. Ernesto D. Garilao, Chairman of ZFF, highlighted the importance of governors having a comprehensive understanding of the health system and data. “Health is an investment, and returns should be measured through better health indicators,” he stated.

The second day of the module focused on crafting innovations and developing communication strategies for UHC implementation. As a synthesis, Prof. Garilao reviewed the Bridging Leadership framework, integrating the provincial narratives of the fellows and encouraged them to foster cooperation, joint action, and co-ownership among stakeholders for a collaborative response to health challenges. “Analysis of data points, insighting, and bringing different sectors together are all imperative,” Prof. Garilao emphasized, underscoring the importance of these elements in effective public health leadership. 

The RRR Fellowship Program, established in memory of Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s founding chair, is a collaborative effort with the University of the Philippines College of Public Health and the National College of Public Administration and Governance. It aims to equip public health leaders with the skills needed to tackle local and national health challenges, fostering champions of UHC.

Believing that leadership, governance, and action are the key ingredients to combat malnutrition, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) invited municipal and provincial government health and nutrition officers, partners, and stakeholders to a webinar on nutrition governance last April 26, 2024.

Gathering around 130 participants, the activity titled “Nourishing Minds, Nurturing Lives” aimed to introduce ZFF’s Nutrition Governance Program, Pook Malusog, and to explore the importance of strong and driven leadership and governance in addressing the problem of malnutrition. Dr. Joyce Ann Viar, ZFF Nutrition Portfolio Director, led the discussion, followed by Dr. Ma. Esmeralda Silva, Professor at the Department of Health Policy and Administration of UP Manila College of Public Health, who tackled nutrition governance in Sarangani.

“Comparing the Philippines to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, we are in the top 5 with the highest stunting rates, and given this current reality, there really is a need to boost and beef up our nutrition programs,” Dr. Viar presented. She gave emphasis to programs addressing malnutrition during the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of life—a critical stage in brain development.

While interventions to malnutrition are outlined in the Philippine Nutrition Action Plan, including the focus on F1KD, she explained that “the added value of ZFF is ensuring that provinces, municipalities, and barangays have these [health and nutrition] services in place.” Dr. Viar shared that Pook Malusog is ZFF’s program for local and community leaders, and frontline workers to enhance their technical and leadership skills, to improve local health and nutrition system, and ultimately achieve better health and nutrition outcomes. ZFF has a package of interventions tailored for each level of governance—for provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and even for families.

In her presentation, Dr. Silva emphasized the pivotal role of nutrition governance in supporting accelerated improvements in nutrition particularly in the case of Sarangani. In a study that they did, the province and its 7 municipalities showed substantial improvements in malnutrition prevalence rates among 0-59 months old children and nutritionally-at-risk pregnant mothers. Among the factors identified as contributing to this positive outcome, she highlighted the strong support of provincial, municipal, and barangay officials. “This is attributed to their deeper appreciation of nutrition and its underlying systems, and the [Local Chief Executives] acknowledge the significant role that ZFF’s Nutrition Governance Program played in helping them in this aspect,” Dr. Silva remarked.

Invited reactors, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo Jr. of the National Nutrition Council Region VIII and Ms. Blessile G. Par of the Manila Water Foundation, agreed with the presenters that good governance, action leadership, multi-sectoral approach and political will and support are at the heart of nutrition efforts. Ms. Par said, “We can see the power of the LGUs (Local Government Units) when they prioritize [nutrition], when it is top of mind, we can see the change over time. The private sector will always be here to help and support the LGUs, but it is more important that they are open and are willing to jump in with us.”

Towards the end of the webinar, one of the questions raised was how ZFF were able to secure political commitment—get leaders on board. Dr. Viar responded, “You have to have good data. You have to present to your leaders the reality, what is happening on the ground. Part of ZFF’s work is to show our leaders the urgency to act on the nutrition situation.” Mr. Austere A. Panadero, ZFF President and Executive Director, in his synthesis, called upon leaders to reexamine their systems and advocated for nutrition to be considered as a “major development outcome that local governments through their leaders would want to address and improve.”

Replay the webinar here: https://bit.ly/ZFFNutritionWebinar-Replay

Last April 12, 2024, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) hosted the event titled “Championing Health Together”, marking the launch of the Bayang Malusog Community of Practice (CoP). The gathering served as a venue for learning exchanges, fostering a culture of collaboration to advance the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

Mr. Austere Panadero, ZFF President, in his opening address, remarked, “The kind of transformation UHC requires from everyone is increasingly becoming clearer, especially those in the ‘advanced stage’.” The one-day event gathered the pioneer batch of the Bayang Malusog CoP comprising 9 areas: Aklan, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Biliran, La Union, Laguna, Northern Samar, and Quezon. Their respective Provincial Health Teams, Provincial PhilHealth Licensing Officers, as well as Department of Health (DOH) Regional UHC Coordinators in Regions 1, 4-A, 6, 8 and Cordillera Administrative Region participated in the activity. This diverse representation welcomed exchange of ideas, aimed at accelerating progress towards UHC and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for every Filipino. “The heart of Bayang Malusog is really to achieve better health outcomes,” Dr. Catherine Chung, ZFF Local Health Systems Portfolio Director, summarized.

Emphasizing “collective learning”, Dr. Meredith Labarda of the Social Innovation in Health Initiative Philippines introduced InnovEx. This online platform is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and networking among local health innovators, researchers, and stakeholders. “The only way to innovate is to collaborate,” Dr. Labarda remarked. Accessible at https://healthinnovex.org/, InnovEx serves as a dynamic space where ideas can flourish, conversations can spark innovation, and collaborations can thrive, further amplifying the impact of collective efforts towards advancing health outcomes.

During the event, Provincial Health Officers (PHO) from Aklan, La Union, and Northern Samar shared their respective challenges and successful practices in implementing UHC within their communities. Dr. Leo Ismael of Aklan highlighted the province’s Governance Model for Special Health Fund (SHF), which prioritizes the institutionalization of District Health Systems to streamline healthcare delivery. In La Union, Dr. Ellen Baustista, consultant, sharing on behalf of PHO Dr. Dan William Dacanay and Dr. Eduardo Posadas, emphasized the importance of enhancing primary care services through improved patient navigation and health information systems. Nurse Alfred Bambao unveiled the successful digitization of healthcare services in Bauang, La Union. Meanwhile, in Northern Samar, Dr. Aurora Vicencio and Dr. Blessie Noroña showcased the province’s initiatives to maximize health resources and invest in community healthcare. Ms. Joanna Manalili, PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Officer in Catarman, Northern Samar, shared the municipality’s successful capitation of Php 9.4 million for first person encounters in 2023.

Insights shared during the panel discussion shed light on the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery in the Philippines. Invited experts were: Dr. Manuel Dayrit, ZFF Trustee and former Secretary of the Department of Health; Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, Assistant Secretary of Health; and Mr. Manuel Pawig of PhilHealth.Key themes included the transformative impact of structural and mechanistic adjustments, the correlation between investment levels and health outcomes, and the imperative of maximizing resources to yield maximal returns. The discussion emphasized the need for proactive adaptation to change and the potential for enhanced political capital through prioritizing health services improvement. Dr. Dayrit closed, “Given all of the learnings you have provided to us, I think the next step is really to rigorously understand your success factors. Through this, we can understand how the whole system fulfills our theory of change.”

As ZFF continues to champion health together with its partners, the launch of the Bayang Malusog CoP signifies a bold step towards building a healthier and more resilient Philippines. By harnessing the power of collective learning, collaboration, and innovation, the CoP holds the promise of creating a Bayang Malusog where every Filipino can thrive.

On April 1, 2024, a remarkable journey unfolded in Barangay Putol, Balayan, Batangas as diverse stakeholders, including Batangas Vice Governor Jose Antonio “Mark” Leviste II, dived deep into the heart of health challenges facing the underserved communities in the province. Supported by the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon, Batangas Provincial Health Office, the Local Government Unit and Municipal Health Office of Balayan, and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), this Deep Dive activity, a guided community immersion, aimed to shed light on critical health issues and chart a course toward meaningful change.

The essence of the Deep Dive activity in the province was to deepen understanding of health inequity and empower Bridging Leadership competencies. This included enhancing awareness and comprehension of prevailing health disparities, fostering dialogue, and shaping a vision for a healthier Batangas.

Leviste remarked, “In my years as Vice Governor, this is the first time for me to experience the Deep Dive. I am looking forward to knowing more about this process.”

Immersed in the realities of Barangay Putol, encounters with expectant mothers highlighted the importance of health education and communication in dispelling misconceptions about healthcare practices. In Batangas, while healthcare is accessible, maternal mortality remains a concern due to cultural practices and socioeconomic disparities. Leviste observed, “‘Di maiwasan ang pagtitiwala sa kinagisnan tulad ng ‘hilot’. Maraming realizations in immersions like these—when leaders are brought to an unfamiliar environment to learn about the problems faced by the poor.”

Reflecting on the Deep Dive experience, Leviste said, “I feel like we need to do something about health information, education and making health services available and of quality.” Stakeholders echoed the need for comprehensive policies and collaborative efforts to bridge gaps in health services and promote reproductive health.

As the activity concluded, participants rallied around a shared vision of inclusive healthcare and empowered communities. With renewed determination, they pledged to advocate for policy reforms and intensify health promotion efforts, envisioning a future where every Batangueño has access to quality care towards the full realization of the Universal Health Care (UHC).

Armed with newfound insights and strengthened partnerships, the province is poised to journey towards a healthier, more equitable Batangas.

In the recent Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s  Executive Session 2 for Governors (ESG 2) last March 15, 2024, Southern Leyte’s dedication to the health sector stood out as a motivating force amidst challenges. University of the Philippines Manila – School of Health Sciences facilitated this session for the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, represented by Vice Governor Rosa Emilia Mercado.

Department of Health (DOH) Region 8 Director (RD) Exuperia Sabalberino observed how the province of Southern Leyte showcased remarkable resilience despite the hurdles of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural calamities such as typhoon Odette. Southern Leyte’s leaders and healthcare professionals remain steadfast in their pursuit of better health outcomes for their communities.

She called upon Vice Governor Mercado and others to strengthen partnerships, particularly in the full implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC). She said, “Dapat ang objective is for UHC na maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino, bawat komunidad, at bawat healthcare worker. Kahit nasa GIDA (Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area) or far-flung barangay, there is access to quality health care and no one is left behind, communities are prepared and with systems in place to address health challenges.”

Dr. Feliciano John Matibag, Southern Leyte Provincial Health Officer (PHO), emphasized collaborative efforts with development partners to address pressing issues like teenage pregnancy. This challenge has been exacerbated by recent events but remains a top priority for the province. Strategies such as investment in supplemental feeding programs and ensuring access to quality healthcare services reflect Southern Leyte’s proactive approach to improving health outcomes.

Proactive measures, like the legislative initiatives by Provincial Health Board member Napoleon Regis, are crucial in addressing teenage pregnancy. Collaborations with the religious sector and advocacy for modern family planning methods are encouraged steps towards comprehensive solutions. Vice Governor Mercado sought the data on teenage pregnancies, highlighting the need for evidence-based decision-making.

RD Sabalberino also recognized the limitations faced in disseminating accurate information on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) in schools, stating: “There is still a portion of teens who do not have access to the right information and services on ASRH. Unfortunately, nangyayari pa rin ang mga ito sa schools.” She stressed the importance of aggressive advocacy and strengthening local health systems to bridge gaps in education and services.

Looking ahead, Southern Leyte’s focus on education and awareness campaigns, leveraging youth organizations like the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), is promising. Collaborations with the DOH’’s Health Promotion Unit underscore a unified effort towards realizing a transformed healthcare landscape in the province.

As they navigate challenges and seize opportunities, Southern Leyte sets an inspiring example for other regions striving towards UHC and sustainable health outcomes.