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.

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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.

Health leaders and partners from Benguet gathered in Baguio City for a Program Implementation Planning Workshop under the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s Bayang Malusog Leadership and Governance Program (BMLGP) last May 28-29, 2025. The workshop brought together stakeholders to assess Benguet’s current health landscape, agree on strategic interventions, and build a shared commitment to health leadership and accountability.

One of the major outcomes of the workshop was the identification of two critical focus areas: health data management and health financing. Participants noted the importance of improving how health data is collected, analyzed, and used. A stronger health information system would allow for more accurate monitoring of health indicators, better resource distribution, and faster responses to health concerns. Alongside this, the group highlighted the need for sustainable and equitable health financing. This involves making the most of existing budgets, exploring innovative ways to fund health programs, and enhancing the financial management skills of local health offices.

Twenty health leaders and staff from various agencies and local government units attended the two-day workshop. From the Benguet Provincial Health Office, Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Meliarazon Dulay, Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Jocelyn Legaspi, and Senior Health Program Officer Rubelyn Tomas joined the discussions. Benguet General Hospital was represented by Chief of Hospital Dr. Maria Imelda Ulep.

From the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Mercedes Calpito, Melanie June Pucay and Sunshine Pisando attended. Sarah Jane Binaked represented the DOH Center for Health Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHD-CAR).

Representatives from the two pilot municipalities also played an active role in the workshop. From Kibungan, attendees included Dr. Hydre Nga-ew (Municipal Health Officer), Ivy Pasigon, and Letty Calawa. From Kapangan, Dr. Mary Joy Fermin (Municipal Health Officer), Charmaine Patil-ao, and Olivia Pantalone joined the group. Dr. Fabiola Gabriel, President of the Benguet Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP), and Noland Sabling, Acting Chief Social Insurance Officer of PhilHealth Benguet, also took part.

With the implementation plan now in development, BMLGP is set to support stronger leadership, more effective governance, and improved primary care services in Benguet. The program will start with a focused approach in Kibungan and Kapangan supporting their health leadership and governance needs, with the goal of eventually expanding benefits to families across the entire province.