DOH-MIMAROPA, DAP and ZFF conduct forum for Municipal Leadership and Governance Program graduates

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=865697
• Friday, March 11, 2016

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ/RSM]

MANILA, March 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH)-MIMAROPA Region, in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), conducted on Friday a forum for the third and fourth batches of graduates of their Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP).

The graduates, consisting of Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in MIMAROPA and their Municipal Health Officers (MHOs), were conferred with certificates during ceremonies held at Hive Hotel and Convention Place, Scout Tuazon St., Diliman, Quezon City.

MIMAROPA Region consists of the island provinces of Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

According to DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo Janairo, through the MLGP, the said officials were convinced to participate in the Health Leadership and Management for the Poor (HLGP).

Director Janairo said that with the roll-out of HLGP through the MLGP, the LCEs and MHOs can help together in bringing radical changes in terms of structures and outcomes in the efforts toward achieving the goals set under the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in the new targets set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“I hope that after the May 9, 2016 elections, all of you will pursue full blasting of what you have learned in theprogram,” Dr. Janairo told the graduates as he reminded them about the importance of pursuing to be “champions” even beyond their terms, referring to those who are in their last term of office.

“There is no reason to stop,” he said, adding with the message that "leaders will always remain to be leaders" and “champions do not give up.”

Also during the event, Ms. Arlene Gella, vice president of ZFF, said she was highly amazed with the public narratives among the LCEs who shared interesting stories on their “journeys in implementing the health programs" as well as their efforts in dealing with the challenges in eradicating social inequities.

“We encourage you to spread and keep on pushing for the implementation of health programs in MIMAROPA,” Gella added as she cited that the LCEs can act as “ambassadors” in spreading and in connecting national health programs.

MLGP is being conducted by the DAP-Graduate School of Public and Development Management (GSPDM) since 2013 in partnership with ZFF and DOH Regional Offices III (Central Luzon), IV-B (MIMAROPA) and V (Bicol).

To date, there are 171 LCEs and MHOs who have graduated from the program.

The partnership was made to encourage participation in addressing the growing number of health challenges and health inequities in the country with the intention of achieving the health targets.

HLGP is a strategic initiative targeting different stakeholders in the health sector. It aims to equip DOH Regional Offices, DOH representatives, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Offices, Provincial Chief of Hospitals, Governors, PHOs, LCEs and MHOs, with the right skills and know-hows in attaining the health targets.

HLGP is the umbrella program of the following programs: the Health Leadership and Management for the Poor (HLMP); the Provincial Leadership and Governance for the Poor (PLGP); and the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP).

HLMP is a one-year, two-module leadership program for CHDs, PhilHealth Regional Offices, DSWD Regional Offices, Regional and Provincial Chiefs of Hospital and academic partners.

PLGP, on the other hand, is a three-year, three-module program for Governors and PHOs while MLGP is a one-year, two-module program for LCEs and MHOs that is supplemented by coaching and mentoring sessions from DOH-CHD during practicum.

The participants are expected to improve their municipal health indicators as course deliverables, which include engaging other local stakeholders such as the municipal health boards.

At the end of the course, the participants should be able to:

• Develop leadership and governance capabilities of Local Chief Executives.

• Develop the leadership, managerial and clinical competencies of local health officers and community health workers.

• Support the institutionalization of responsive policies and programs that improve local health systems.

• Increase awareness and encourage active participation and health seeking behavior in the community.

• Mobilize public-private collaboration to facilitate sharing of resources and replication of best practices of sustainability.

Among the graduates present in the ceremonies were:

Hon. Sue S. Cudilla and Dr. Rosalindo L. Losaria (Municipality of Araceli, Palawan); Hon. Edna G. Lim and Dr. Cesar G. Rivera (Municipality of El Nido, Palawan); Hon. Romy L. Salvame and Dr. Dan A. Del Rosario (Municipality of Taytay, Palawan); Hon. Eric A. Constantino and Dr. Ma. Corazon Bernabe (Municipality of Abra De Ilog); Hon. Salvador R. Py and Dr. Edelina M. Bae (Municipality of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro); Hon. Alfredo G. Ortega Jr. and Dr. Ma. Virginia R. Valdez (Municipality of Victoria, Oriental Mindoro; Hon. Russel S. Madrigal and Dr. Eleanor May D. Grate (Municipality of Buenavista, Marinduque); Hon. Roberto M. Madla and Dr. Joselito G. Awat (Municipality of Boac, Marinduque.