𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐔𝐇𝐂 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐘: 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro brought Cebu’s experience in implementing Universal Health Care (UHC) to the national stage on September 28, sharing how the Province is working to turn health policies into services that Cebuanos can actually access in their communities.

Speaking at the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Symposium, themed “Building Enduring Frontlines: Transforming LGU Health Systems,” Gov. Pam presented “From Policy to the Frontlines: The Cebu Province’s Experience in Implementing Universal Health Care.”

At the heart of Cebu’s approach is the continuing effort to build an integrated Province-wide Health System connecting Cebu’s 50 cities and municipalities, their Rural Health Units, and the Province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals.

Gov. Pam traced the reforms to the beginning of her administration. Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2025 directed the urgent release of appropriated medical funds to strengthen the response capacity of Capitol-run hospitals, while Executive Order No. 2 reconstituted the Provincial Health Board for 2025–2028 to strengthen health-sector coordination and decision-making.

For 2026, Cebu Province allocated ₱4.181 billion—or 35 percent of its total provincial budget—to health, covering the Provincial Health Office, health programs and the Province’s 16 hospitals.

The Province currently has 3,043 health workers serving its health office and Capitol-run hospitals. Under the present administration, 748 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals have been hired, while another 291 personnel have been promoted or regularized.

These investments have been complemented by medical and surgical caravans, bringing services directly to communities while longer-term improvements in Cebu’s healthcare system continue.

A major step toward integration came on September 7, when 50 mayors and 50 local health officers gathered to work toward establishing the Province-wide Health System.

For Gov. Pam, integration is especially important in a geographically diverse province where some patients can spend five to six hours traveling to apex hospitals in Cebu City. A stronger referral network can better connect facilities, help augment health workers where they are most needed, and give LGUs and RHUs a greater role in addressing their communities’ specific health needs.

The Governor also acknowledged the challenges Cebu still needs to address, including the pending operationalization of the Special Health Fund, the need for a dedicated Management Support Unit for the Provincial Health Board, low YAKAP registration particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas with connectivity limitations, and difficulties attracting and retaining medical professionals and specialists.

Moving forward, Cebu will prioritize completing the inter-LGU agreement for the Province-wide Health System, upgrading Capitol-run hospitals and LGU-run RHUs, and further strengthening the Provincial Health Board.

“People first. Service first. No Cebuano left behind. That’s not a slogan we put on a banner. It’s the test we hold every one of these decisions against,” Gov. Pam said.

Cebu was among several provinces invited to share their UHC experiences. Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio V. Lacson also presented their respective local models and practices.

Former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, together with Dr. Janine Patricia G. Robredo, presented Naga City’s experience in Primary Health Care Data Governance. Other local leaders participating included Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr. and Antique Gov. Paolo Everardo S. Javier, while Quezon Gov. Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan joined the program through a video message.

Messages were also delivered by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Kim Robert De Leon and, through video, Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go.

Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Baricuatro Catalan-Viscayno was likewise among the symposium’s resource persons, with her presentation “Bridging Policy and Practice: The Cebu Experience in UHC” and participation in a panel discussion on local-level experiences scheduled for the afternoon session.

The symposium also brought together representatives from the Department of Health, PhilHealth, World Health Organization Philippines, U.S. Embassy Manila, Ateneo School of Government, and other institutions working to strengthen local health systems.

For Cebu, UHC is ultimately about building one connected health system—where the Province, LGUs, RHUs and hospitals work together so quality healthcare can be brought closer to every Cebuano family.

𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚: 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙡 𝙋𝙄𝙊