To motivate and help local leaders to achieve their health targets, improve their governance in health, and provide effective service delivery networks in their areas of responsibility, the Department of Health Calabarzon regional office, had conducted a four-day training that started Tuesday in Pasig City.
Local executives and municipal health officers attended the training on the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program conducted by DoH Calabarzon with Zuellig Family Foundation and University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences.
“Once they understand and realize their significant role in the upliftment of health of their constituents, they can provide necessary intervention and help bridge health gaps in their community,” DoH Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.
Local leaders must understand public health dynamics to be able to see the importance of primary health care and development, Janairo added.
“They must commit to the program and to be focus on improving the primary health system in their municipality,” he emphasized.
The MLGP was launched in 2013, with the objective of promoting transformative changes to local health leaders for better health outcomes of their respective towns. This is in support of the Millennium Development Goals, by applying the knowledge and skills gained in two health leadership modules.
It is a one-year leadership program for Local Chief Executives and Municipal Health Officers supplemented by coaching and mentoring sessions on local health system development. It focuses on Good Governance in the health sector, Health Service Delivery, Health Workforce, Health Information, Access to Essential Medicines and Healthcare Financing.
The program requires the participants 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.
The benefits of the program include personal development in health leadership and governance, improvement of municipal health outcomes, translate health outcomes into political gains, academic units leading to a master’s degree, networking and partnerships (building social capital), opportunity for health program grants and infrastructure development and the opportunity to gain the Seal of Health Governance recognition.
“We expect these local leaders to become effective managers after completing the MLGP training so that they can execute health programs effectively for the benefit of the community,” Janairo added.
Among the participants who joined the MLGP – Module 2 Training were Mayors and their MHOs – Hon. Virgilio P. Varias and Dr. Evangelina B. Manzo of Alfonso, Cavite; Hon. Dino Carlo R. Chua and Dr. Mari Hilda C. Bucu of Noveleta, Cavite; Hon. Carlo Invinzor B. Claro and Dr. Ivan Villareal of Majayjay, Laguna; Hon. Antonio M. Carolino and Dr. Cynthia Tamares of Sta. Maria, Laguna; Hon. Daniel D. Reyes and Dr. Richard B. Landicho of Agoncillo, Batangas; Hon. Michael Angelo Reyes and Dr. Orlando M. Silva of Padre Garcia, Batangas; Hon. Alexander N. Rivera and Dr. Robenne Tan of Buenavista, Quezon; Hon. Amado P. Penamora and Dr. Ma. Cecilia N. Sargento of Panukulan, Quezon.
