Governors prioritize quality health services for the very poor

Governors are focused on making sure their very poor constituents are given quality healthcare services at little or no cost.

During the “Governors’ Learning Forum” organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) in cooperation with the Department of Health, nine (9) governors told an audience composed of national and local health leaders about the strategies they, along with their core teams, implemented after realizing the gravity of health issues faced by their very poor constituents. Among their immediate reforms is ensuring their hospitals practice no-balance billing for indigent patients. They also talked to their mayors so their rural health units get accredited by PhilHealth. The core teams they created have members representing various sectors so every program and plans encompass larger social and economic issues, and likely more sustainable.

The forum is under ZFF’s Provincial Leadership and Governance Program. It was held last March 10 at the Astoria Plaza.  

Governors present were (from left) Jayvee Uy of Compostela Valley, Emmanuel Ortega III of La Union, Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato, Jose Ong Jr. of Northern Samar, Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur, Adolf Plaza of Agusan del Sur, Zaldy Villa of Siquijor, Albert Garcia of Bataan, and Hilario Davide of Cebu.

Also at the event were health assistant secretaries Enrique Tayag and Leonita Gorgolon, Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero, regional director (RD) for Region 9 Emilia Monicimpo, assistant RD for Region 11 Anabelle Yumang, and assistant RD for Region 12 Francisco Mateo.

See related photos here.