ZFF October 2025: Activities, Insights, and Impact
Health Governance
Strengthening UHC leadership
The Department of Health–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) honored the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) with the Gawad Kalusugan Award for advancing Universal Health Care (UHC) in Northern Luzon. The recognition highlights ZFF’s partnership with local governments through the Bayang Malusog Leadership and Development Program, which supports stronger health systems and people-centered services in the Cordillera provinces.
Across the country, ZFF continued supporting local leaders in strengthening their UHC journey. In Benguet, mayors and health officers of Kapangan and Kibungan renewed their commitment to better health governance through the Bayang Malusog onboarding. The Foundation also joined the Provincial Health Officers Association of the Philippines (PHOAP) Annual Conference, helping facilitate reflections on sustaining UHC implementation.
Notes from the field:
Nutrition Governance
Scaling family nutrition through Pook Malusog
ZFF and the DOH-Eastern Visayas formalized their partnership to strengthen family nutrition and reduce child stunting through the Pook Malusog Family Stunting Reduction Program. The initiative will be piloted in four municipalities in Samar and Northern Samar, combining mentoring, data use, and community-based governance to help families achieve better nutrition in the first 1,000 days and beyond.
ZFF’s nutrition work also reached other parts of the country and the global stage this month. In Tarlac, the Provincial Nutrition Committee and Governor Christian Yap joined an executive briefing and data workshop to guide stronger nutrition action plans. In Siargao, Del Carmen leaders enhanced their data management through the Health and Nutrition Information System training. The Pook Malusog Community of Practice Conference brought together local partners to share lessons on building resilient nutrition systems. ZFF also represented the Philippines at the Evidence and Implementation Summit 2025, sharing evidence-based approaches to improving health and nutrition governance.
Notes from the field:
AYSRH Governance
Local champions lead AYSRH reforms
ZFF celebrated the graduation of nine Global Self-Reliant Cities under The Challenge Initiative (TCI)-Philippines: General Santos, Iriga, Isabela de Basilan, Lapu-Lapu, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Tacurong, and Tagum. These cities demonstrated how strong leadership and data-driven decision-making can reduce teen pregnancies and improve family planning and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) outcomes.
In Catanduanes, ZFF helped strengthen the province’s readiness in implementing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health through a three-day Readiness Assessment Workshop. The activity gathered government partners and local leaders to assess gaps, plan actions, and reinforce collaboration for more coordinated emergency responses. Together, these initiatives reflect how ZFF continues to support local governments in building inclusive, evidence-based, and youth-responsive health systems.
Notes from the field:
Partnerships and Global Engagements
Learning and leading with partners
Partnership and shared learning remained central to ZFF’s work this month. The Foundation renewed its partnership with Cordillera College (CCDC) to strengthen leadership and governance training for local health officials in Northern Luzon—continuing a shared commitment to nurturing evidence-based and community-centered health leadership in the region.
ZFF also joined the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Global Health Conference in Malaysia, where it presented its works on health and nutrition governance in the Philippines. The event highlighted ZFF’s role in promoting equity and resilience through local action and collaboration. These engagements reinforce ZFF’s mission to build alliances that ensure sustainable health leadership and stronger, more resilient systems for every Filipino.
Notes from the field:
Welcoming New Faces to the ZFF Family
ZFF is happy to welcome its newest team members who bring fresh energy and expertise to our shared mission. May your work with ZFF be purposeful, fulfilling, and inspiring!
- Rommuelle Ken Sombillo, Provincial Associate Officer for Tarlac and Negros Occidental
- Erickson Manuel Pawig, Project Manager for Bayang Malusog Leadership and Governance Program