Samar and Southern Leyte Mobilize to Maximize PhilHealth Resources for Youth Health
News
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:
- Assess current practices and barriers in PhilHealth income use;
- Develop a local fund management framework linked to UHC and adolescent health;
- Deliver tailored mentoring and technical tools for LGUs; and
- 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.