Governors of La Union and Ilocos Sur, namely Raphaelle Ortega-David and Jeremiah C. Singson respectively, receive their certificate of completion from DOH - Ilocos Region and UP-CPH during the Bayang Malusog: Provincial Leadership Development Program (PLDP) graduation ceremony held in Pasay City November 8, 2024.
By Glen S. Ramos
GOVERNORS and their provincial health teams in Ilocos Region completed the 24-month Bayang Malusog: Provincial Leadership Development Program (PLDP) which aims to empower health leaders to become Universal Health Care Champions for Universal Health Care acceleration during a graduation ceremony held in Pasay City on November 8, 2024.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco expressed her congratulations to all the participants for successfully fulfilling the requirements of the course. “As you experienced and personally witnessed the current health status of various communities in your provinces, through your deep dive activity, I know that it has deepened your understanding of your province’s current health inequities.”
“And as UHC champions, together with the provincial health teams, we can now focus on addressing the complexities of health disparities within the provinces by improving provincial health outcomes through collective efforts and creating effective, responsive, and inclusive health systems for the successful implementation of UHC for the benefit of our constituents,” she stated.
She added that local government leaders are expected to implement an enhanced primary care service, establish an integrated network of healthcare providers, develop local health systems aligned with UHC objectives, and achieve local health systems maturity level from preparatory to functional level in their respective provinces.
The PLDP program provides local health leaders the knowledge to strategically lead, govern, and manage their respective local health systems. The 2-year, three-module program teaches the concepts of ownership, co-ownership, and co-creation through discussions, practicum activities, and deep dive sessions, all geared towards the greater goal of accelerating the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC) in the region.
The program is composed of three modules – Module I aims to develop/enhance the provincial health teams’ bridging leadership competencies which will enable them to take advantage of UHC implementation and to realize their vision and address the health challenges in the province; Module 2 aims to strengthen collaboration for Universal Health Care; and Module 3 – redesigning the province-wide health system to accelerate It includes a series of trainings, coaching and mentoring sessions as well as deep dive of Governors.
Sydiongco also assured provincial leaders that the regional office will continue to provide technical support as they implement reforms and progress and sustain the health outcomes that have already been achieved. “Let us continue to navigate this journey together toward a healthier future for all.”
The event marked the completion of all four provinces of Ilocos- Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La Union to the Bayang Malusog Provincial Leadership and Development Program of ZFF with DOH Ilocos and UP CPH. The activity also highlighted the sharing of lessons of governors Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur and Raphaelle Ortega-David of La Union on their successful implementation of UHC.
The PLDP is an umbrella program implemented with the Department of Health – Ilocos Region in collaboration with Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila College of Public Health (CPH).
