ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government is positioning itself to become one of the country’s trailblazers in the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. announcing plans to train mayors and local health officers to ensure every Ilonggo has access to comprehensive healthcare.
Defensor made the declaration during the 2025 Provincial Health Summit held on Oct. 17, emphasizing the province’s determination to integrate all municipal health systems under one cohesive framework.
“Our aspiration is to position Iloilo among the pioneers in the national rollout of Universal Health Care, ensuring that accessible healthcare is a reality for all Ilonggos,” Defensor said.
The summit — organized by the Provincial Government of Iloilo in collaboration with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) — served as a convergence point for local chief executives, health officers, grassroots doctors, and partner agencies to share best practices and innovations in public health delivery.
Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Wendel Marcelo, who also heads the Health Systems Support Division, said the event was designed to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress toward the province’s health maturity goals.
“The primary goal of this Health Summit is to create a synergistic platform that enhances the integration of local health systems while aligning with the Universal Health Care framework. This event is crucial for achieving targeted milestones regarding the Local Health Systems Maturity Levels,” Marcelo explained.
LGUs showcase success stories
Among the highlights of the summit was the presentation of exemplary local health initiatives that have shown tangible results in improving community health outcomes.
The Municipality of Concepcion unveiled its comprehensive mental health program that also addresses rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease under the PhilHealth framework—an approach that reflects its holistic commitment to community well-being.
The Municipality of Mina featured its innovative primary healthcare model, which integrates standalone medical services with ancillary support, paving the way for more accessible and patient-centered healthcare.
Meanwhile, Tubungan made history by becoming the first municipality in Iloilo to achieve a Grade 2 Basic Sanitation Level certification, signifying that all households, schools, and public facilities have sanitary toilets and proper waste management systems.
The Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal also presented its award-winning service model for HIV/AIDS care, emphasizing effective patient management and stigma-free health service delivery.
National praise for Iloilo
In a message delivered by DILG VI Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza Sardua, DILG Secretary Juan Victor “Jonvic” Remulla commended the province for its proactive stance on public health.
“When local government units prioritize the health of their constituents, progress is inevitable,” Remulla said, lauding Iloilo’s LGUs for putting people’s welfare at the center of governance.
Strengthened collaboration
The summit gathered key provincial and national officials, including Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, and DILG Iloilo Provincial Director Engr. Carmelo Orbista, along with representatives from the Department of Health and PhilHealth.
Their participation underscored the province’s collective push to fortify healthcare delivery systems and make Iloilo a national model for UHC-driven governance./PN
