Baguio City Strengthens Health Finances for Universal Health Care
News
Baguio City health leaders met with national agencies and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) on February 19, 2026 to reinforce the financial foundation of its local health system. The technical coaching session, under ZFF’s Bayang Malusog Leadership and Governance Program (BMLGP) aimed to sharpen the city’s strategy for health financing and integrated care under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
Representatives from the Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Baguio City local government reviewed the city’s progress and readiness for integrated care delivery.
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Building an Integrated Health System
Since establishing its Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) in 2021, Baguio City has built a more coordinated local health system that connects primary care facilities, hospitals, and specialized services.
City leaders highlighted key integration milestones during the session:
- Joining the PhilHealth Primary Care Provider Network Sandbox Program
- Holding two HCPN summits to align public and private health providers
- Creating a Patient Navigation and Referral System to streamline patient movement between facilities
These initiatives directly support the UHC goal: ensuring residents receive continuous, coordinated, and quality care.
Maximizing Health Financing Opportunities
A major focus of the coaching session was improving the management of PhilHealth claims, a vital revenue source for local health facilities.
Data presented showed that about 64% of the city’s health facility claims received payment, totaling approximately Php 3.18 million disbursed from 2022 to 2026. Facilities like the Irisan Health Center demonstrated how effective claims management can strengthen facility operations and expand community health services.
PhilHealth representatives stressed that robust claims management ensures local health services fully utilize national financing mechanisms.
Strengthening the Special Health Fund
The session also tackled the Special Health Fund (SHF), which pools resources to support integrated health service delivery under UHC.
Baguio City reported a Php 200 million allocation to the SHF for 2026, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening the local health system. Participants agreed they must translate these resources into tangible service improvements. Priorities include accelerating procurement processes, strengthening financial planning, and improving coordination across implementing units.
Leadership and Governance for Health
The activity underscored the need for strong leadership and collaboration to advance health reforms.
PhilHealth Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco provided direct technical guidance to Baguio City’s health leaders, sharing insights on optimizing financing systems and preparing for provider network contracting under UHC.
This engagement also reflects the leadership development work of ZFF through BMLGP, which helps local governments strengthen governance, improve health financing, and build more responsive health systems.
Moving Forward
As Baguio City advances its UHC reforms, local leaders identified these key next steps:
- Strengthen coordination across city departments and the Local Health Board
- Operationalize the SHF manual and financing protocols
- Resolve procurement and information technology bottlenecks
- Prepare for provider network contracting under integrated health care delivery
With strong partnerships and continued leadership development, Baguio City is well-positioned to further strengthen its local health system. By reinforcing both leadership and financing systems, the city is laying the groundwork for a future where every resident can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
Banner photo: Dr. Celia Brillantes, Baguio City Health Officer