Zuellig Family Foundation Annual Report 2024
Empowering communities, strengthening leadership for better health outcomes
About the report
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) Annual Report 2024 shares stories of change, lessons learned, and milestones in improving health outcomes for Filipinos.
Our work in 2024 focused on:
2024 at a glance
Local Health Systems
- 3.2M people registered under PhilHealth KONSULTA in partner areas.
- 100% primary care facility accreditation in almost all areas.
- UHC Champion Series shared practical lessons across LGUs.
Nutrition
- Reduced stunting and wasting in Basilan, Samar, Northern Samar, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Siargao towns.
- Launched Nutrition Leadership and Equity Acceleration Program (NutriLEAP) with the League of Provinces of the Philippines to strengthen provincial leadership.
- Rolled out the Pook Malusog Dashboard for easier, data-based decisions.
Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health
- 11 cities lowered the adolescent birth rate below 20 per 1,000.
- Adolescent-friendly health facilities grew to 555.
- Recognized work with partners through national and global learning events.
ZFF Institute for Health Leadership
- Coached and trained fellows under the RRR Fellowship to solve health system gaps.
- Worked with academic partners to scale leadership programs.
- Sustained ISO-certified learning quality and CPD accreditation.
ZFF will continue working with provinces, cities, and municipalities to accelerate health reforms, scale nutrition programs, and empower youth and communities.
Read the full report here:
ZFF Annual Report 2024Download
Download: Audited Financial Statements 2024
Davao de Oro Pushes for Stronger Health Reforms After Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship Milestone
Davao de Oro joined Aklan, Dinagat Islands, and Kalinga in celebrating a key achievement last March 2025—the successful completion of the Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance, a program led by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Public Health and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance.
For Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, the year-long fellowship was a transformational journey. “Coming from the judiciary and only entering politics in 2022, I never imagined how complex the health system really is,” she said. “This program helped me understand the power of leadership in turning health challenges into opportunities.”
Davao de Oro faced five key health concerns:
- Child immunization coverage remains critically low. Only 63% of children were fully immunized in 2024—far below the national target of 95%. This gap leaves many children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
- Teenage pregnancy continues to rise. In 2024, the rate reached 51 per 1,000 adolescents, which is significantly higher than both national and global benchmarks.
- The province’s hospitals are overwhelmed. The four provincial hospitals have a 315% occupancy rate, far above the ideal 80–85%, putting strain on both patients and health workers.
- The province struggles with limited funding to properly manage its hospital system. To address this, the provincial government has proposed the renationalization of one hospital to improve funding and governance.
- Enrollment in the PhilHealth Konsulta program is still low. Only 8.4% of residents have had their first patient encounter, showing the need for stronger public awareness and engagement.
Despite the gaps, the province has made important strides. It tapped Barangay Volunteer Sanitation Inspectors to improve sanitation monitoring and prevent disease outbreaks at the community level. An information system was also developed that profiles and helps track Barangay Health Workers.
The KoboCollect digital tool is being used to collect and manage data on water, sanitation, and hygiene. A provincial communication plan was also rolled out to improve field registration for primary health services.
In terms of services, the province exceeded national targets in prenatal care coverage, skilled birth attendance, and family planning. “These wins give us confidence that we’re on the right path,” she said.
The RRR Fellowship emphasized Bridging Leadership—the idea that real change happens when leaders bring people together. “I learned I can’t do it alone,” Governor Gonzaga reflected. “We need our mayors, health workers, and citizens to co-create solutions.”
Governor Gonzaga credits the Fellowship for sharpening her sense of purpose as a public servant. “I now see health not just as a service, but as a platform for empowerment and equity.”
Aklan Completes Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship: Leading Health Reform with Heart and Data
Aklan proudly marked the end of a transformative journey. Alongside Davao de Oro, Dinagat Islands, and Kalinga, the province graduated from the Zuellig Family Foundation’s (ZFF) Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance in March 2025.
The RRR Fellowship, named after ZFF’s founding chair and in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Public Health and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, aimed to equip governors and local health leaders with skills to solve real-life health problems.
For Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, this was a year of action, collaboration, and meaningful progress for the province. The Fellowship builds on the province’s involvement in ZFF’s other health leadership programs, which helped strengthen the local health system and prepared Aklan’s leaders for deeper, systems-oriented reform.
From the start, Governor Miraflores made it clear: implementing Universal Health Care (UHC) was his top priority. As one of the pilot areas for the Healthcare Provider Network (HCPN), Aklan was determined to improve health services for every Aklanon. All 18 primary care facilities in the province are now fully licensed by the Department of Health (DOH)—a first in Western Visayas.
This success came from strong local unity. “All the mayors of the 17 municipalities, kahit ‘kalaban’ pa namin na mayors, they grasped what we need to do,” he remarked. “It’s not only my job to implement UHC. Dapat sama-sama kaming lahat.”
Governor Miraflores also shared the province’s top health challenges. These included:
- Delays in PhilHealth contracting: Even with all the preparation and local budget support, national delays in PhilHealth’s processes held back fund releases and service contracting.
- Slow first patient encounter (FPE) rates: Although 400,000 Aklanons are registered with PhilHealth, only 12% have completed their first patient encounter—still far from the target of 50%.
- Digital health systems: While many primary care facilities now use electronic medical records (EMRs), Aklan’s hospitals still lack full digital systems.
- Lack of health workers: Aklan needs more doctors, nurses, and midwives. The province is now drafting a plan to address this.
- Rising mental health cases: Aklan has the highest suicide rate in Western Visayas. Mental health became Governor Miraflores’ focus during his Deep Dive, a guided community immersion, under the Fellowship.
Despite the challenges, Aklan has achieved impressive results:
- Successfully negotiated with PhilHealth to become an HCPN demonstration site.
- All LGUs contribute 1% of their development fund to the Special Health Fund.
- Six district health managers hired to lead health services in identified clusters.
- Strong partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which passed the Aklan HCPN ordinance.
- Digital health partnerships that led to an increase in PhilHealth reimbursements—from Php 104,000 in 2022 to Php 66 million in 2024.
- For mental health, Aklan passed a provincial ordinance and encouraged municipalities to adopt it. In one inspiring case, a troubled child received help and is now serving as a barangay health worker.
Governor Miraflores emphasized the value of data in decision-making: “Kailangan talaga data-driven. Before we decide on things, we need to see the data first so we can learn what we need to do.”
He also credited his training under ZFF’s Bridging Leadership approach, which focuses on personal ownership, co-ownership with stakeholders, and co-creation of solutions. “Hindi ako doktor, but I have to understand what’s happening in our health issues. I shared this mindset with our mayors. That’s why it wasn’t hard to convince them to collaborate.”
As he closed his RRR Fellowship journey, Governor Miraflores reflected on the long-term impact of their work: “Since I became a leader, this is what I always say: ‘What we do in life echoes in eternity.’ This is not only about legacy. It’s about what we do now that will benefit future generations.”
Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship Program Leadership Forum and Colloquium
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) celebrates the graduation of the first batch of fellows from Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance. Leaders from Aklan, Davao de Oro, Dinagat Islands, and Kalinga share their breakthroughs, challenges, and lessons in transforming local healthcare. Hear their inspiring stories, policy recommendations, and commitment to making Universal Health Care (UHC) a reality. This program, in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Public Health and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, continues to shape leaders who work toward better healthcare for all.
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Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship Program for Public Health Leadership and Governance Launch
The Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance brings together the Zuellig Family Foundation, University of the Philippines (UP) College of Public Health, and the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance to support emerging leaders in health reform and innovation. This launch event features the first batch of Romulo Fellows—dedicated public servants from across the country—and shares insights from respected experts in the field.
Originally aired via Facebook Live, September 26, 2023
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