The University of the Philippines Visayas Health Leadership team of Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla, under the partnership of the UPV Foundation Inc. (UPVFI) and Department of Health- Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD WV), trained 17 LGU teams for the Municipal Leadership Governance Program Cycle 4.
The first batch was held from 29 Jan - 1 Feb 2023 at Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. The second batch was done on 5-8 Feb. 2024 at Nature’s Village Hotel, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Dr. Padilla was joined by Associate Professor Alice Prieto-Carolino, Assistant Professor Josephine T. Firmase, Ms. Czarrinah G. Araneta and Mr. Alex L. Porras. UPV Assistant Professors Adrienne Marrie Bugayong-Janagap and Ysabella Cainglet joined as participants.
The following LGUs joined batch 1: Guimbal and Pototan from Iloilo; Dao, Dumarao, Pilar and Roxas City from Capiz; and Laua-an and Tibiao from Antique. For batch 2, the following LGUs participated: Cauayan, Candoni, Hinoba-an, Kabankalan City, Silay City and Sipalay City. Former Tigbauan Mayor and UPV alumni, Suzette T. Alquizada, Tigbauan, MHO Dr. Josefa Monserate, and San Joaquin MHO, Dr. Abraham Elgario served as the inspirational speakers in batch 1. Incumbent Isabela, Negros Occidental Mayor Irene Montilla and Himamaylan CHO, Dr Medardo Estanda reported their leadership journey for batch 2.
MLGP cycle 4 is now focused on the full implementation of RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. The LGUs were trained on how to organize their local health systems for integration in the Province-Wide Health System. These require integration of three (3) major components of the health system: managerial, governance, and financial, which will necessitate a systems approach for the health system to move from an organizational to a functional maturity level by the end of 2024.
