Moving Forward with Health Reforms in Benguet

Benguet is making progress in its journey toward Universal Health Care, but much work still lies ahead. 

During the August 12, 2025 review of the province’s Health Care Provider Network (HCPN) and Special Health Fund (SHF), the Provincial Government of Benguet under Governor Melchor Diclas met with PhilHealth, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) to assess progress and challenges. PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado, PhilHealth-CAR Regional Vice President Dr. Dominga Gadgad, and DOH Provincial Health Team Leader Dr. Mercedes Calpito all reaffirmed support for the province.

Dr. Catherine Chung, Local Health Systems Director at Zuellig Family Foundation, shared key insights on where Benguet stands and what still needs to be done. 

The province has already formed an SHF Technical Working Group and engaged local finance committees, an important step in operationalizing the SHF. The Provincial Health Office also began discussions with municipalities and is planning to expand the Provincial Health Board, especially with new local leaders now in place. However, unfinished tasks such as completing the SHF manual, updating the patient navigation manual, and finalizing operational guidelines continue to hold back the full roll-out.

Related articles:

• Making Health a Shared Mission in Benguet
• Benguet Charts Path to Stronger Health Governance
• Building a Healthier Benguet: Integrating Health Information, Financing, and Service Delivery to Achieving Universal Health Care

Digital health adoption is also growing. Seven out of 13 municipalities are now using the eMed electronic medical record (EMR) system, but with hospitals still relying on multiple other EMR systems, patient tracking and financial monitoring remain fragmented. Dr. Chung stressed the need to standardize EMRs so that data can be integrated and patients can be tracked across facilities—critical for monitoring the SHF.

On the financing side, PhilHealth’s updates on claims pre-validation, expanded Konsulta benefits, and more accredited primary care facilities show positive momentum. But Dr. Chung noted that clearer roles between DOH and PhilHealth must be established, especially on who should lead technical support to local government units (LGUs) for SHF operations.

In summary, Benguet is moving forward but must accelerate its efforts: finalize SHF guidelines, set rules on health provider costs and pricing, integrate district hospitals as an entry point, and strengthen financial management in preparation for prospective payments in 2026.

For Dr. Chung, these next steps will be crucial:

• Without a strong financial system, the SHF cannot be sustained.
• Data integration through standard EMRs will make patient care and fund monitoring possible.
• Collaboration between PhilHealth, DOH, and LGUs must be clearer if reforms are to succeed.

With these insights, Benguet has a clear path: strengthen its financial and digital systems, clarify institutional roles, and continue building a health system that delivers accessible and sustainable care to its people.