Transforming Public Health: Governors and Health Officers Convene at Roberto R. Romulo Fellowship 2 for Universal Health Care
News | by Krizzia Esperanza
On May 9-10, 2024, the second module of the Roberto R. Romulo (RRR) Fellowship for Public Health Leadership and Governance took place at Bayview Park Hotel Manila. This event brought together governors and provincial health officers from Aklan, Dinagat Islands, Davao de Oro, and Kalinga. The fellowship is an ongoing initiative aimed at fostering transformative leadership in public health, with a strong focus on innovative and inclusive strategies to achieve Universal Health Care (UHC).
Representing the four provinces in the event were Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores and Dr. Leo Magallanes Ismael, Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. and Dr. Vinjohan S. Manlapaz, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga and Dr. Antonio P. Ybiernas Jr., and Kalinga Governor James Edduba and Dr. Edward Tandingan.
During the event, participants shared their successes and addressed the challenges they face in their respective provinces. Prof. Ernesto D. Garilao, Chairman of ZFF, highlighted the importance of governors having a comprehensive understanding of the health system and data. “Health is an investment, and returns should be measured through better health indicators,” he stated.
The second day of the module focused on crafting innovations and developing communication strategies for UHC implementation. As a synthesis, Prof. Garilao reviewed the Bridging Leadership framework, integrating the provincial narratives of the fellows and encouraged them to foster cooperation, joint action, and co-ownership among stakeholders for a collaborative response to health challenges. “Analysis of data points, insighting, and bringing different sectors together are all imperative,” Prof. Garilao emphasized, underscoring the importance of these elements in effective public health leadership.
The RRR Fellowship Program, established in memory of Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s founding chair, is a collaborative effort with the University of the Philippines College of Public Health and the National College of Public Administration and Governance. It aims to equip public health leaders with the skills needed to tackle local and national health challenges, fostering champions of UHC.
