A total of 46 health leaders from 17 local government units in Western Visayas completed the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP) Cycle 4 – Module 3 Training in two batches. This is the 4th iteration of the Health Leadership and Governance Program in Western Visayas, which started in 2014. It is anchored on the Health Change Model of the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). It is an eighteen-month, three module leadership initiative for municipal/city health leaders grounded in the principles of Bridging Leadership framework. The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), in partnership with the UPV Foundation, Inc. (UPVFI), is the academic partner of the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development – Western Visayas in the region trained to implement the program.
With the core message of Moving towards Sustainability and Resilience, Module 3 aims to improve Bridging Leadership competencies for the institutionalization and sustainability of health system transformations in support of the Universal Health Care Law’s (RA11223) implementation towards the creation of a Province-Wide Health System (PWHS).
Batch 1, conducted on 19-22 November 2024 saw the participation of health leaders from Tibiao, Antique; municipalities of Dao, Pilar and City of Roxas, Capiz; Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Guimbal, Pototan and San Dionisio, Iloilo; and Candoni and Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Batch 2, on the other hand, held from 3-6 December 2024, included health leaders from the municipalities of Laua-an, Antique and Dumarao, Capiz; municipality of Hinoba-an and Cities of Kabankalan, Silay, Sipalay and Victorias, Negros Occidental.
Participating health leaders comprised municipal/city mayors, municipal/city health officers, and third leaders such as city/municipal councilors, municipal planning and development officers and municipal budget officers, among others.
The UPV multi-disciplinary team is composed of Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla (Project Leader) of the Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Asst. Prof. Josephine T. Firmase, Assoc. Prof. Alice Prieto-Carolino and Ms. Czarinnah G. Araneta from the Division of Social Sciences, CAS; Mr. Alexander L. Porras from the Division of Professional Education, CAS; and Asst. Prof. Melanie R. Sartorio from the Department of Management, College of Management.
Upon completion of MLGP Cycle 4 module (3) deliverables, the MLGP Colloquium will be conducted during the 3rd quarter of 2025.
MLGP Cycle 4 is one of the Extension Programs of UP Visayas officially lodged under the Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod (OCEP).
