The Zuellig Family Foundation’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program aims to expedite Universal Health Care (UHC) implementation in Philippine provinces by enhancing leadership and technical skills among Department of Health regional UHC core teams, critical for overcoming setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Provincial Leadership and Governance Program (PLGP) of the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) was recently featured in the Philippines’ 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) as a key example of how civil society and local government partnerships are helping the country achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

Implemented from 2019 to 2022 in the provinces of Aklan, Agusan del Sur, and Bataan, the PLGP strengthened provincial governments’ capacity to lead and manage local health systems. The program supported governors, mayors, and their health teams through leadership training, coaching, and technical assistance, with the goal of improving access to primary healthcare, particularly maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and non-communicable disease management.

Assessments conducted in 2023 and 2024 showed positive results. Maternal deaths at the provincial level declined, while skilled birth attendance and facility-based deliveries increased. These improvements reflected the provinces’ strengthened health systems and commitment to prioritizing frontline health services.

The PLGP is part of ZFF’s broader effort, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), academic institutions, and development partners, to enhance local health leadership and governance. The program has since informed the design of the Bayang Malusog Program, which is now being implemented in several regions by DOH Centers for Health and Development, with academic partners, ensuring that lessons from the PLGP contribute to the nationwide acceleration of Universal Health Care.

The 2025 VNR, presented nationally on August 27, 2025, provides a comprehensive assessment of the Philippines’ progress in achieving the SDGs. In his message, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan stressed the importance of sustained collaboration across sectors to institutionalize reforms and meet critical SDG targets.

The full 2025 VNR can be accessed here: https://sdg.depdev.gov.ph/voluntary-national-review-2025/ 

In this case study, leadership plays a pivotal role in driving health systems reform in Balete and New Washington municipalities, with both mayors leveraging health leadership programs to achieve comparable health outcomes despite differing economic standings, demonstrating effective integration into the Aklan Provincial Health System and adherence to principles of Bridging Leadership essential for realizing Universal Health Care goals.