The Department of Health (DoH) regional office signed a deal with local officials from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) to improve health delivery system in the region.

Through this approach, we hope to bridge the gap between knowledge and effective management that will lead to improvements in core health system areas.

The memorandum of agreement between the DoH and mayors of Calabarzon towns aims to assist local leaders in addressing access, utilization, coverage and equity issues in their respective jurisdictions. The Joint Regional Memorandum Circular and Mid-Practicum Assessment Session on Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP) Course was signed in an event held at Manila Diamond Hotel.

“This will create an inter -agency committee that will provide support and assistance to local government units (LGU) in achieving the health-related sustainable goals (SDG) in 2030 which focus on improving the leadership and management practices of local leaders,” DoH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said.

He explained LGU executives would undergo a “coaching and mentoring” development program to guide them in their management, supervision and implementation of plans to have a unified effort in the development of their local health system, health financing and health service delivery.

Under the agreement, the DoH, DILG and PhilHealth regional offices will supervise the implementation, institutionalization and monitoring of health programs by the LGU to reach their targeted health programs.

“Through this approach, we hope to bridge the gap between knowledge and effective management that will lead to improvements in core health system areas, including quality of clinical care, data-driven decision making, leadership and accountability and satisfaction of community,” he said.

This will create an inter-agency committee that will provide support and assistance to local government units in achieving the health-related sustainable goals.

Glen Ramos, community affairs and media relations officer of DoH Calabarzon, said the joint project is in partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila-College of Public Health and the Development Academy of the Philippines as academic partners under the Health Leadership and Governance Program.

Ramos said through the MLGP course, local chief executives and municipal health officers will undergo 18 months of leadership program supplemented by coaching and mentoring sessions on local health system development.

The course covers good governance in the health sector, health service delivery, health workforce, health information, access to essential medicines and healthcare financing.

He added that program participants are required to complete the four-day Module 1 sessions, six-month practicum, four-day Module 2 sessions and another six-month practicum before they can graduate.