Cebu Shares Its UHC Journey at Unilab Foundation Symposium: ₱4.181B Health Budget, 3,043 Health Workers
Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro brought the province's Universal Health Care (UHC) experience to the national stage on September 28. She explained how Cebu is trying to turn health policies into services that Cebuanos can actually reach in their own communities.
Speaking at the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Symposium, themed "Building Enduring Frontlines: Transforming LGU Health Systems," Gov. Pam presented "From Policy to the Frontlines: The Cebu Province's Experience in Implementing Universal Health Care."
At the heart of Cebu's approach is the continuing effort to build an integrated Province-wide Health System. It would connect Cebu's 50 cities and municipalities, their Rural Health Units (RHUs), and the Province's 16 Capitol-run hospitals.
Gov. Pam traced the reforms to the start of her administration. Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2025, directed the urgent release of appropriated medical funds to strengthen the response capacity of Capitol-run hospitals. Executive Order No. 2 reconstituted the Provincial Health Board for 2025–2028 to strengthen coordination and decision-making in the health sector.
On funding, Cebu Province allocated ₱4.181 billion, or 35 percent of its total provincial budget, to health for 2026. This covers the Provincial Health Office, health programs, and the Province's 16 hospitals.
The Province currently has 3,043 health workers serving its health office and Capitol-run hospitals. Under the present administration, 748 doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals have been hired, while another 291 personnel have been promoted or regularized. These investments have been complemented by medical and surgical caravans, which bring services directly to communities while longer-term improvements in the healthcare system continue.
A major step toward integration came on September 7, when 50 mayors and 50 local health officers gathered to work toward establishing the Province-wide Health System.
For Gov. Pam, integration matters especially in a geographically diverse province like Cebu. Some patients can spend five to six hours traveling to apex hospitals in Cebu City. A stronger referral network can better connect facilities, help augment health workers where they are most needed, and give LGUs and RHUs a bigger role in addressing their communities' specific health needs.
The Governor also acknowledged the challenges Cebu still needs to address:
- the pending operationalization of the Special Health Fund
- the need for a dedicated Management Support Unit for the Provincial Health Board
- low YAKAP registration, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas with connectivity limitations
- difficulties in attracting and retaining medical professionals and specialists
Moving forward, Cebu will prioritize completing the inter-LGU agreement for the Province-wide Health System, upgrading Capitol-run hospitals and LGU-run RHUs, and further strengthening the Provincial Health Board.
Cebu was among several provinces invited to share their UHC experiences. Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio V. Lacson also presented their local models and practices. Former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor "Leni" G. Robredo, together with Dr. Janine Patricia G. Robredo, presented Naga City's experience in Primary Health Care Data Governance. Other participants included Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr. and Antique Gov. Paolo Everardo S. Javier, while Quezon Gov. Angelina "Doktora Helen" Tan joined through a video message.
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Kim Robert De Leon delivered a message, as did Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go through video. Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Baricuatro Catalan-Viscayno was also among the resource persons, with her presentation "Bridging Policy and Practice: The Cebu Experience in UHC." She was also scheduled to join a panel discussion on local-level experiences in the afternoon session.
The symposium brought together representatives from the Department of Health, PhilHealth, World Health Organization Philippines, the U.S. Embassy Manila, the Ateneo School of Government, and other institutions working to strengthen local health systems.
"People first. Service first. No Cebuano left behind. That's not a slogan we put on a banner. It's the test we hold every one of these decisions against," Gov. Pam said.
According to the Capitol Public Information Office, for Cebu, UHC is ultimately about building one connected health system, where the Province, LGUs, RHUs, and hospitals work together so quality healthcare can be brought closer to every Cebuano family.
Quick Summary
- What: Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro presented Cebu Province's UHC experience at the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Symposium.
- Where: Not stated in the press release; the presentation covers Cebu's 50 cities and municipalities and 16 Capitol-run hospitals.
- When: September 28.
- Impact on Visayas: For Cebu, ₱4.181 billion (35 percent of the 2026 provincial budget) is allocated to health, 748 doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals have been hired, and a Province-wide Health System is being built.
- Source: Capitol Public Information Office (PIO), Cebu Provincial Government, via the Facebook page of Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro.