The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), through its Bayang Malusog Leadership and Governance Program (BMLGP), is helping strengthen primary health care (PHC) systems in Kapangan and Kibungan in Benguet and Baguio City to support the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) goals.

Guided by the UHC Act’s vision of accessible, equitable, and people-centered health services, the Bayang Malusog Program focuses on improving local leadership and governance so that government units can effectively manage integrated primary care networks. To support this, ZFF provided partnership grants to the City Camp and Irisan District Health Centers in Baguio City, and the Rural Health Units of Kapangan and Kibungan in Benguet.

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The grants help frontline health workers deliver better care through:

• Home visit kits for community outreach;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs);
• Essential primary health care equipment; and
• Health Information System (HIS) support.

These tools enable continuous, quality care at the community level.

The turnover ceremony on January 22, 2025, marked a shared commitment to making primary care facilities strong and functional. Baguio City officials present were Dr. Ma. Lourdes Pakoy, Assistant City Health Officer; Dr. Nelson Hora, City Camp District Health Center Medical Officer; and Dr. Vanessa Fagcangan, Irisan District Health Center Medical Officer. From Benguet, Dr. Meliarazon Dulay and Dr. Jocelyn Legaspi, Provincial Health Officers, and Ms. Rubelyn Tomas, Senior Health Program Officer, attended, along with Dr. Joy Fermin, Municipal Health Officer of Kapangan. Department of Health-Cordillera Administrative Region officials Dr. Janice Bugtong and Dr. Mercedes Calpito also joined.

Through the Bayang Malusog Program, ZFF continues to show that strong leadership, well-supported health workers, and integrated primary care systems form the foundation of UHC—ensuring every Filipino family can access quality, responsive, and people-centered health services.

Banner photo: Provincial Health Office of Benguet

Authors: Joan Kidatan, ZFF BMLGP Associate for Baguio City

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) received recognition at Benguet’s SHAYAW (Stellar Health Achievements Yearly Awards) for its partnership in advancing a healthier Benguet.

Benguet conferred a Certificate of Recognition on ZFF in appreciation of the Foundation’s initiatives and continued support of the province’s HEALTHIER Benguet agenda. This agenda works to improve health across all life stages by strengthening equitable, efficient, and responsive health systems for I-Benguet communities.

Related articles:

• Kibungan and Kapangan’s Grand March Toward a Shared UHC Vision 
• Bridging Leadership in Action: Benguet’s Mayors Reaffirm Commitment to UHC Integration
• Moving Forward with Health Reforms in Benguet

The Benguet Provincial Health Office (PHO) leads SHAYAW to recognize partners and local government units that contribute to the province’s health goals. The awards highlight the role of good governance, collaboration, and shared responsibility in improving health outcomes.

ZFF earned recognition for its sustained partnership with the Province of Benguet through the Bayang Malusog Leadership and Governance Program (BMLGP). Through this program, ZFF works with provincial and municipal leaders to strengthen health systems by building leadership and governance capacities. 

This partnership builds on earlier efforts, including Benguet’s completion of ZFF’s Provincial Leadership and Development Program (PLDP) in 2024, achieved through the leadership of Governor Melchor Diclas and Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Meliarazon Dulay.

In her opening message, Dr. Dulay underscored the importance of unity and collective responsibility in advancing health outcomes, describing SHAYAW as a celebration of Benguet’s shared journey, where significant challenges are addressed through small, consistent acts of service carried out together with purpose.

The recognition affirms ZFF’s commitment to working closely with local governments and health leaders to strengthen leadership and governance for health.

Through continued collaboration, ZFF supports Benguet’s efforts to build more equitable, efficient, and responsive health systems for its communities.

Banner photo: (from left to right) Dr. Andrew Chamson Bacuso, Rural Health Physician, Dr. Jocelyn Legaspi, Provincial Health Officer I, and Dr. Meliarazon Dulay, Provincial Health Officer II, Benguet PHO; Ayeza de Mesa, ZFF BMLGP Associate; Erickson Manuel Pawig, ZFF BLMLGP Manager; Hon. Dr. Melchor Diclas, Provincial Governor, Benguet; Hon. Lady Charmain Molintas-Likigan, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Chair for Committee on Health, Benguet

Author: Ayeza De Mesa, ZFF BMLGP Associate