PRESENTATION: Strengthening DOH Regional Core Teams in North Luzon, Philippines: How the Bayang Malusog Program Empowers Health Leaders to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage
Refocusing on What Matters: Addressing the Structural Drivers of Inequity in Advancing Universal Health Care
As the Philippines advances the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC), we must stay focused on what truly matters: achieving equity for all.
The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Global Health Conference 2025, held at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, strongly echoed this call. With the theme “Towards Planetary Health Equity: A Global Call for Shared Solutions,” the conference gathered more than 400 participants from 20 countries, including the Philippines, who shared a common goal: to reimagine health systems that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Key Insights
The pre-conference session on Delivery of Health Systems with Innovation and Inclusivity emphasized that health equity demands bold and context-specific innovations that address social and environmental determinants of health. Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen primary and preventive care, many systems still face structural inequities and planetary health challenges that slow progress toward UHC.
Speakers during the main conference highlighted innovation as a powerful driver of transformation. They showcased implementation science, telemedicine, mobile medical clinics, and artificial intelligence as tools that expand access, remove barriers, and empower the health workforce. These innovations can only succeed when we pair them with adaptive learning, process improvements, and strong community ownership.
By integrating planetary health into the discussions, participants reinforced that human well-being and environmental sustainability are inseparable. Achieving equitable health outcomes therefore requires not only technical innovation but also ethical stewardship and responsible governance that ensure health systems remain inclusive, fair, and environmentally sound.
Reflections
The conference emphasized a critical insight: while we design many strategies, frameworks, and programs, health systems—including ours—often fail to confront the root causes of inequity.
Conceptual Model for Community-Based Solutions to Promote Health Equity. Adapted from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017). Redesigned by the Zuellig Family Foundation.
This figure reminds us to ground solutions in community realities and co-create them with those most affected by inequities.
This reflection challenges us to ask: Do we fully understand the structural drivers that sustain inequities? Do our UHC efforts respond effectively to them? And do we integrate planetary health principles to strengthen our systems for the long term?
The Philippines must go beyond expanding access to truly achieve UHC. We must transform our systems to confront inequities at their source. Policies and programs should draw from evidence, engage communities, and align with the broader vision of planetary health equity.
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) advances this vision through its local health system initiatives. ZFF empowers health leaders, strengthens governance, and fosters collaboration across sectors. Lessons from the APRU Global Health Conference 2025 affirm that the path toward UHC must remain people-centered and planet-conscious, ensuring that no one—and no community—is left behind.
View the full presentation here
Author: Dr. Catherine Chung, ZFF Local Health Systems Director
UP College of Public Health and Zuellig Family Foundation: A Decade of Strengthening Local Health Leadership
The University of the Philippines Manila – College of Public Health (UP-CPH) is a premier academic institution dedicated to training professionals and leaders in public health. For over a decade, it has partnered with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) to strengthen the capacities of local government leaders in delivering better health services to their communities.
Dr. Ernesto “Jun” Gregorio Jr., Associate Professor and focal person for UP-CPH’s Health Leadership and Governance Program (HLGP), has been part of this collaboration since its early stages. “We were tapped by ZFF in 2013 to become their academic partner for Region 4A (Calabarzon),” he said. “The Department of Health (DOH) was scaling up the HLGP nationwide, and ZFF needed academic institutions to help with implementation. We were endorsed by then DOH Region 4A Director Dr. Ed (Edgardo) Gonzaga, who was also our alumnus.”
Since then, UP-CPH has trained multiple batches of local leaders from municipalities across Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Laguna. The goal: to equip mayors, municipal health officers, and other local leaders with the knowledge and tools to improve local health outcomes.
One standout example of success was San Luis, Batangas. “They had creative initiatives like an ‘alkansya’ (“piggy bank”) system for pregnant women, so they could save money during prenatal visits and have funds when they give birth,” Dr. Jun shared. “Even the mayor personally drove the ambulance when no one else could. That level of involvement really made an impact.”
Another remarkable transformation happened in Noveleta, Cavite, a third-class municipality. “From a mostly red scorecard, they improved dramatically in just under two years,” he explained. “They didn’t just improve health indicators—they addressed social determinants of health. They trained out-of-school youth for call center jobs and even accompanied them to Manila for interviews. They boosted income and community pride.”
Noveleta also cleaned up its polluted coastline, previously a garbage site, and revived it into a thriving fishery and tourist area. “They reduced coliform levels, saw fish and even turtles return, and built a fish port,” said Dr. Gregorio. “They showed that improving the environment can uplift public health and the local economy.”
This partnership has not only improved communities—it has also enriched teaching and curriculum at UP-CPH. “The lessons we learned in the field have become part of our coursework. I now use real stories from Noveleta and San Luis in my classes on health promotion and social determinants of health,” Dr. Jun said.
Another product of this partnership is the Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship, which supports emerging leaders from local government units to gain deeper expertise in public health leadership and governance. This fellowship strengthens capacity building by providing additional opportunities for advanced learning and mentorship. The first batch of fellows graduated last March 2025.
The collaboration has even led to new academic programs. “We’re developing a ladderized curriculum—starting with a certificate course in public service, then moving to diploma and eventually a master’s degree,” he said. “This gives local leaders a clear academic path while applying what they learn in real-world settings.”
Beyond programs and training, Dr. Gregorio stressed the value of ZFF’s support: “ZFF provided a platform where theory meets practice. We learn from the mayors just as they learn from us. That two-way exchange has been powerful.”
Looking ahead, he sees room to grow the partnership. “We want to help revise the Barangay Health Leadership and Management Program (BHLMP) and align it with the new DOH initiative, Purok Kalusugan. The indicators need updating to include social and educational determinants.”
Ultimately, Dr. Jun believes that public health must be community-centered and multi-sectoral. “Our health system remains hospital-centric. Strengthening local public health leadership is essential. If we can institutionalize these programs and scale them up, we’ll move closer to achieving real health equity.”
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WEBINAR: Lessons from Early Implementation of UHC in Selected Regions
Working and learning together to achieve health equity. The University of the Philippines College of Public Health and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) led the third Health Equity Learning Series on August 15, 2024, where key insights on Universal Health Care (UHC) were shared. The event featured ZFF’s Bayang Malusog Program supporting early UHC implementation, and highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in ensuring that every Filipino, especially the most vulnerable, can access the care they need.
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Bridging the Gap: Challenges and Progress in Philippines’ Universal Health Care Implementation