Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) provides a competitive compensation package, a hybrid work arrangement, customized training and development program, and more.

ZFF offers a competitive benefits package:
• Hybrid work arrangement
• 30 days incentive leave (combination of vacation and medical/ sickness leaves), plus 5 emergency leaves
• Annual Physical Examination leave
• HMO and Life Accident insurance coverage
• Customized training and development (synchronous and virtual instructor-led training)
• Monthly communication/ internet allowance
• Annual clothing allowance
• Performance-based bonus

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) Internship program provides a training ground for students looking to deepen understanding of work in the public health sector and non-profit organization processes. The program, relaunched in 2021, has produced 3 full-time employees who started out as interns in the organization.

The following units are currently accepting interns:
• Human Resources
• Admin
• Finance
• Management Information Systems
• ZFF Institute
• LHS Portfolio
• Nutrition Portfolio
• The Challenge Initiative

Submit applications by emailing hr@zuelligfoudation.org or hrrecruitment.zff@gmail.com.

The Challenge Initiative (TCI) convened its fifth annual meeting from December 4-8, 2023 at Marriott Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. Themed “Built to Last,” the meeting brought together TCI global staff, funding partners, and representatives from 13 countries in Africa and Asia, including the Philippines through the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), to reflect on achievements, challenges, and set the course for sustainable impact in reproductive health and family planning.

TCI was conceptualized as a platform rather than a time-bound project, focusing on business unusual in the development space. More than just a program, it facilitates high-impact interventions in urban areas across Africa and Asia. In the past 6 years, TCI has engaged 178 cities and local governments, allowing them to lead, finance, and own implementation of health programs.

The meeting underscored the expertise of the Philippines, particularly in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programming. Some of the Philippine health innovations highlighted were the digitalization of health information systems, creation of ASRH training institutions and pool of trainers, and integration of services in hospitals. ZFF is also specifically acknowledged globally for its leverage in leadership and governance as key drivers in strengthening local health systems through its Bridging Leadership Program.

The activity likewise engaged funding partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Bayer AG. BMGF pledged ongoing support beyond 2025, emphasizing the importance of addressing family planning commodity security. Bayer AG applauded TCI as a global platform adaptable to local contexts.

On the last day, TCI presented its key priorities for 2024 and beyond, taking from the lessons learned from the whole activity. These priorities involve attracting more partners, expanding into new geographies, exploring innovative funding mechanisms, implementing digital solutions for data analysis, maintaining a platform mindset, and accommodating additional health areas. TCI aims to leverage existing structures for integrated interventions, deliver impactful outcomes in graduated cities, and continue leading innovation and thought leadership for sustainable impact at scale. The ultimate objective is to empower local teams and generate internal success.

Reflecting on the five-day activity, the Philippine delegation expressed confidence in their growing momentum in health governance, marked by an increase in performance metrics. ZFF’s expertise in this field was recognized as a major advantage.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) received a prestigious Plaque of Recognition from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on November 30, 2023. This accolade serves as a tribute to ZFF’s unwavering support, dedication, and significant contributions as an implementing partner in the critical missions of ending unmet need for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, and eradicating gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The recognition extends beyond ZFF’s pivotal role in these global initiatives. The award specifically acknowledges ZFF’s accomplishments and steadfast commitment to nurturing competent youth leaders through its Youth Leadership and Governance Program. This transformative program, initially implemented in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Lanao del Sur from 2019 to 2023, was later expanded to Samar and Southern Leyte in 2023.

Dr. Dorie Lyn Balanoba, ZFF’s Project Director for UNFPA-ZFF Partnerships, accepted the well-deserved recognition on behalf of ZFF during the UNFPA Closing Activity of the 8th Country Program of Assistance to the Philippines at Quest Hotel, Pampanga.

Beyond a mere commendation, the UNFPA expressed its profound appreciation for ZFF’s Youth Leadership and Governance Program (YLGP). Notably, the UNFPA highlighted the YLGP as a pivotal intervention to be implemented under Sub-output 3.2 of its 9th Country Program, emphasizing the importance of capacitating local governments in contextualizing, planning, ensuring adequate budget allocation and utilization, and operationalizing coordination mechanisms.

This recognition underscores ZFF’s enduring impact and commitment to creating positive change in communities and fostering sustainable development.

As part of the continuing effort to help local health centers achieve Universal Health Care (UHC) in the northern region, the Department of Health Centers for Health Development (DOH-CHD) of Cordillera, Ilocos, and Cagayan Valley, in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), recently mounted the 3rd module implementation of the Bayang Malusog Regional Leadership Development Program (RLDP) in Baguio City last September 6-7, 2023. In attendance were 27 participants, including assistant regional directors, provincial health team leaders, and UHC coordinators from the three DOH-CHDs.

In the two-day training activity, no less than the former DOH Undersecretary Dr. Myrna Cabotaje emphasized that while the training activity is critical and can provide fundamental and technical knowledge, the participants’ integration with real experience and learnings on-site will surely go a long way.

“Your role involves facilitating access to health care services. Remember the human aspect, taking into account the people’s conditions and adapting your approach accordingly,” shared Dr. Cabotaje, as she encouraged everyone to positively contribute to UHC so that its impact is truly felt. “Sharing is learning,” Dr. Cabotaje added.

One of the participants, Jennifer Valenzuela, City health team leader of Baguio City, could not agree more. “Health care has to be felt more by Filipinos and our community through better access to quality health care services,” Valenzuela said.

Promising accomplishments in northern Luzon have also been highlighted including the progress of licensing and accreditation of primary care facilities and the growing commitment of local leaders to champion the integrated approach to UHC. Most of the provinces in the region have achieved 100% on the preparatory level of UHC maturity—a set of standards set by the DOH.

However, challenges remain to ensure access and quality of primary care services, a competent health workforce, and a functional electronic medical records system. Central to these challenges is the operationalization of the Special Health Funds.

These health system challenges are being addressed through proactive and responsive leadership and more intentional team coaching. Among the initiatives being worked on are the enhancement of the user interface of iClinicSys, the electronic medical records system used in primary care facilities, and the development of a technical assistance package aimed at expediting compliance with licensing and accreditation standards for needed facilities. These plans are part of a broader strategy that seeks to strengthen their approach to increasing immunization coverage in the regions.

The BayangMalusog Regional Leadership Development Program continues to empower leaders in their pursuit of UHC, creating a healthier Filipino population. #

 

(Published September 26, 2023)

The Zuellig Family Foundation Institute for Health Leadership (ZFFI) recently hosted a two-day Learning Session for Academic Partners (APs) at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila on July 26 and 27, 2023. The event aimed to equip APs with practical insights from real-world experiences, enhancing their strategies for implementing essential local health programs, including those related to health systems, nutrition, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The training focused on Bridging Leadership (BL) and the Health Change Model, both recognized by the Foundation as powerful tools for driving transformative health care outcomes.

The first day emphasized key topics such as BL and the pivotal roles of APs in executing Universal Health Care (UHC) goals. The occasion also marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, highlighted by a Memorandum of Understanding signing with new APs. A recognition ceremony honored the significant contributions and unwavering support of APs in the Foundation’s mission of advancing better health outcomes for all.

Austere A. Panadero, President of ZFF, highlighted the intricate nature of implementing UHC, involving expansion and restructuring. Many local government units lack readiness for this, as seen in the gradual UHC rollout. Panadero sought support for UHC changes, questioning how to expedite these with available resources and which institutions can guide effectively. He said that ZFF sees the APs as a solution. In the UHC rollout, academic institutions become transformative educators, evidence-based influencers, and advocates for quality care, empowering local health leaders to achieve UHC efficiently.

On the second day, APs openly exchanged insights and recommendations across three themes: health leadership and governance program implementation, the role of academic institutions in mentoring health leaders, and research study findings. The recommendation suggests continuing deep investigations by APs with involvement of peers for meaningful learning, while also expanding faculty ownership for teaching and coaching. It urges APs to apply program strategies with local governments, enhance coaching skills for Department of Health partnerships to empower LGU leaders, and stresses trust-based relationships as pivotal for positive changes in local health systems.

The two-day session involved 17 participants from 10 esteemed institutional partners, including Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cebu Normal University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Silliman University, St. Paul University Philippines-Tuguegarao, University of the Philippines Manila-College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila – School of Health Sciences, and University of the Philippines Visayas. Newly engaged institutions, Cordillera Career Development College and Mindanao State University-Sulu, also joined the event.

(Published August 22, 2023)

Ilocos Region’s Universal Health Care (UHC) provincial health teams gathered in La Union last July 4 to 6 for training activities under the BayangMalusog Provincial Leadership Development Program. BayangMalusog is a health leadership development program to accelerate UHC implementation in partner provinces.

The sessions were implemented by the Department of Health – Ilocos Center for Health Development in partnership with the University of the Philippines – College of Public Health (UP-CPH) and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF).

The training focused on helping provincial health teams become adaptive leaders to improve the region’s health outcomes in line with UHC’s implementation. The sessions included sharing experiences, good practices, and challenges of the areas in their UHC progress and workshops on team dynamics and developing team synergy. The event ended with the development of action plans for the region’s #JumpSTART in UHC for BayangMalusog.

The UP-CPH facilitated the executive session for Governors Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur and Rafy Ortega-David of La Union, focusing on the governors’ learnings from the deep dive sessions, action plans, and leadership strategies in leading the UHC Implementation. Both governors expressed their strong support for the upcoming activities of their region to implement UHC.

At the end of the activity, DOH CHD Director Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco and DOH CHD Assistant Director Dr. Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz reaffirmed their support to the governors towards the progress and implementation of UHC in the Ilocos Region.

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) held its annual CSR Expo 2023 from July 4 to 6, 2023, with conference sessions at the Makati Diamond Residences and an exhibition at Glorietta II Activity Center. This year’s event aimed to embed sustainability and accountability among its member organizations to align its ESG (environmental, social, and governance) frameworks and reporting with government priorities and requirements.

As the Vice Chairperson of the LCF Health Committee, Dr. Anthony Rosendo Faraon, deputy executive director of the Zuellig Family Foundation, presented the committee’s strategy for reinforcing private sector participation in improving access to health care, especially among vulnerable communities. Efforts focus on the use of innovative health care technology, such as new diagnostic tools, medicines delivery, and telehealth. Expanding the usage, quality, and availability of these innovations with the local governments provides opportunities for the private sector support to government interventions in implementing the Universal Health Care Law.

An estimated 200 participants from among its members, partners, stakeholders, and CSR practitioners, participated in the CSR Expo. For more information about LCF and the CSR Expo access the LCF FB page (League of Corporate Foundations – LCF), and the LCF CSR Expo website (https://lcf.org.ph/csr-expo/).

(Published July 18, 2023)

Good nutrition governance is good politics. This echoed as the main takeaway during Zuellig Family Foundation’s (ZFF) Learning Forum on Nutrition held on July 5, 2023, at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City. The hybrid event gathered 110 in-person attendees and at least 130 more via Facebook Livestream and Zoom. 

ZFF-KGJF partnership

Titled “Stories of Co-Creation for Strengthening Food and Nutrition Systems,” the learning forum provided a venue not only to recognize the achievements of the 12 ZFF-trained mayors from Sarangani and Basilan but also to disseminate best practices toward the reduction of malnutrition in the country.  

The learning forum was part of the Provincial Nutrition and Governance Program (PNGP) partnership of ZFF and the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation, focusing on the first 1,000 days’ (F1KD) population—pregnant women and children under two years old. Stunting and wasting prevalence rates in all 12 municipalities under PNGP decreased in 2023. In Sarangani, the stunting prevalence rate has gone down to 3.2% in 2023 from 7.22% in 2020; while in Basilan, it decreased to 14.51% from 17.38% for the same period. 

PNGP has been providing leadership interventions to the provincial, municipal, and city leaders of Sarangani and Basilan since 2021. Their front-line service providers also received technical and mentoring support. PNGP will continue working with the two provinces and two of their municipalities, in piloting interventions on developing positive behaviors among households and communities.

For more information about ZFF’s programs on F1KD nutrition, visit https://zuelligfoundation.org/programs/nutrition/.

Good politics

Municipal Mayor Ma. Theresa Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani said: “When there is good nutrition, [it means] there is good governance. And when there is good governance, definitely, wala akong kalaban (I do not have an opponent). There is good politics.” Malungon had been a recipient of the National Honor Award from the National Nutrition Council (NNC); it has recorded low stunting and wasting prevalence rates of 1.7% and 0.02%, respectively, in 2023. Among the local government’s initiatives were the provision that all households have backyard gardens (to address food access and security) and access to sanitary toilets (to provide a clean and safe environment for the healthy growth and development of children). The local government also increased investments in nutrition human resources and even institutionalized the retention of barangay nutrition scholars and other community volunteers through a municipal ordinance.

Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Saliman commended his mayors for their success stories in addressing malnutrition noting that fear of losing was the biggest hindrance in nutrition governance. “Takot kaming matalo. Takot kami na ang aming initiatives ay hindi in lalo kung hindi sikat sa social media (We have a fear of losing. We fear that our initiatives will not resonate well to the crowd, especially if we are not popular in social media.),” he said.

To which, Dr. Maria Cecilia Acuin, a ZFF consultant, reassured that “Sa nutrisyong sapat, panalo tayong lahat (With proper nutrition, everyone is a winner.).” She cited a World Bank study that found every dollar invested in nutrition has the potential of yielding a $44 return.

Read more about the journey of the 12 municipalities at http://bit.ly/StoriesOnNutritionGovernance.

Panel discussions

The learning forum was divided into three panel discussions. The first discussion, “Strengthening Nutrition Governance and Financing to Improve Service Delivery,” tackled the pivotal role of effective governance in increasing investments and improving the delivery of nutrition services.

Aside from Constantino, four other local chief executives highlighted the importance of investing in health human resources.

Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman (Isabela, Basilan) prioritized the hiring of a registered nutritionist dietician and an additional six support staff for the city nutrition program. Likewise, Mayor George Falgui (Kiamba, Sarangani) created a plantilla position for Nutrition Officer III through a municipal ordinance, making Kiamba the first municipality in Sarangani to have a permanent municipal nutrition action officer.

Mayors Victor James Yap (Glan, Sarangani) and Roderick Furigay (Lamitan, Basilan) also emphasized the importance of health human resources as crucial sources and main providers of services.

The second discussion, “Bolstering Data Governance in Nutrition,” touched on using data to inform evidence-based decisions and actions.

Mayor Arcam Istarul (Tipo-Tipo, Basilan) used data to ensure that appropriate interventions and support are provided to those who need them most. Mayors Jul-Adnan P. Hataman (Sumisip, Basilan) and Hanie Bud (Maluso, Basilan) intensified efforts under their respective Operation Timbang (OPT) task forces to track, assess, and provide targeted interventions to malnourished children.

The final discussion, “Confronting Food Insecurity and the Underlying Causes of Malnutrition,” highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration in confronting the issue of food insecurity and the underlying causes of malnutrition.

Mayor Vic Paul Salarda (Alabel, Sarangani) shared how they established a Nutri-Bakery with a private nongovernment organization and the provincial nutrition office and supported by a tripartite memorandum of agreement. Likewise, Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit, Jr. (Maitum, Sarangani) showcased their partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center to establish a dairy box for locally-sourced milk feeding that would provide access to dairy products in the market.

A recording of the learning forum can be found here: https://fb.watch/lHpEEaPaoO/.