𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬: 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄-𝐖𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
The Provincial Health Board (PHB), chaired by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, approved a resolution urging Cebu’s component cities and municipalities to consider joining the agreement between the Cebu Provincial Government and local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) province-wide health system integration.
The move supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which seeks to integrate local health systems into a unified province-wide health system to improve the delivery and financing of healthcare services.
During the PHB meeting at the Capitol on June 16, Department of Health (DOH)-7 Development Management Officer V Rolly Villarin explained that the integration framework allows participating LGUs to pool health resources through a Special Health Fund.
These funds will be used to finance population-based and individual-based health services, health system operating costs, capital investments, and the hiring and provision of incentives for health workers.
Villarin acknowledged that some mayors may be hesitant to join because PhilHealth reimbursements will pass through the Provincial Special Health Fund. However, he clarified that participating LGUs may still claim the amount corresponding to their contributions and entitlements, as decisions on the utilization of the fund would be made collectively by participating mayors and would not be solely under the authority of the governor.
According to Villarin, LGUs that join the integration stand to benefit not only from PhilHealth funding but also from assistance provided by development partners and international funding institutions such as the World band and USAID, among many others.
“For those who are going to integrate, they will be benefitting from whatever is deposited to the special health fund of the province,” he said.
Gov. Baricuatro welcomed the proposal, saying the integration would be beneficial, especially with the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Board working closely together.
“It all depends on the mayors. Dili man sad gud ko ganahan mopugos nila. So I think my stand is whoever wants to join, it’s okay. Ang dili gusto mo-join, mabyaan mo. But that’s okay if that’s what they want,” Gov. Baricuatro said.
Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Cebu Chapter, said he would relay the proposal to municipal mayors during their scheduled meeting next month. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒀𝑱𝑩
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