KABUGAO, Apayao – The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) launched its 2025 Bayang Malusog Community of Practice (COP) on March 27 at Bayview Park Manila Hotel, bringing together health leaders from 15 Universal Health Care (UHC) integration sites across the country to discuss strategies for strengthening Health Care Provider Networks (HCPNs).
Among the attendees were representatives from Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, and Baguio City, including Provincial Health Officer Apayao Dr. Mark Joleen M. Calban, Senior Health Program/UHC Coordinator Markrobin Daguio, and Charlyn B. Tagabing of the provincial office of the Department of Health.
ZFF President Austere Panadero opened the event by emphasizing the importance of collaboration, peer learning, and innovation sharing in addressing healthcare system fragmentation. He highlighted how structured learning exchanges can help local government units strengthen healthcare systems and improve service delivery.
In an interview, Dr. Calban discussed Apayao’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare access through HCPN contracting and improved referral pathways, ensuring smoother coordination from barangay health stations to hospitals and specialty centers. He also shared the province’s initiatives, including the expansion of the PhilHealth Konsulta Package to widen primary healthcare access and Project Butsy, which provides essential health services to geographically isolated and underserved communities.
While Apayao has made progress in UHC implementation, challenges remain. Dr. Calban pointed out that the lack of electronic medical record (EMR) interoperability limits data integration across healthcare facilities, affecting patient care continuity. Another challenge is the shortage of fully equipped and staffed barangay health stations, often leading residents to bypass local services in favor of hospitals. To address these gaps, he emphasized the need for sustainable health financing through PhilHealth and other funding sources to ensure continuous healthcare service delivery. He also underscored the crucial role of barangay health workers as health promotion officers in educating communities and strengthening preventive care programs.
Other UHC integration sites shared their best practices, with Aklan presenting its effective Special Health Fund management and Pangasinan highlighting its well-coordinated referral network system that ensures patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Apayao is now in the final stages of completing the requirements to become an official HCPN implementation site, a milestone expected to significantly improve healthcare service coordination and accessibility in the province. Dr. Calban expressed confidence in the province’s progress, stating, “With strong governance and precise leadership, we are steadily working toward a fully integrated healthcare system. Our commitment is to provide every Apayao resident with quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.”
With the Bayang Malusog COP fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among health leaders, Apayao remains aligned with national UHC reforms, continuously working toward a more efficient, integrated, and community-driven healthcare system. By Loremia Pareja
