28/09/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ข๐ฅ๐จ'๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก, ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. showcased the province of Iloiloโs pioneer models and best practices in the implementation of the Universal Health Care, particularly on improved adolescent health and strengthened mental well-being of the Ilonggos.
The Iloilo governor served as one of the resource speakers during the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Forum, today, September 28, 2026, at JY Hall, Bayanihan Center, Pioneer St., Pasig City.
The Executive Forum convened leaders from the local and national government, academe, the private sector, and civil society to tackle practical solutions in strengthening local health systems.
Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act ensures equitable access to quality and affordable healthcare services while safeguarding citizens against financial risk.
Defensor anchored his talk on Section 2 of the UHC Law, emphasizing the stateโs mandate to protect and promote the right to health of every Filipino. He stressed that the essence of Universal Health Care lies in investing in human capital.
He then shared how the provincial government translated Universal Health Care policies into impactful local action through targeted adolescent health and psychosocial programs โas these are the areas that need more attention at present.โ
โSound mind, stronger people, better government, better democratic institutions,โ Defensor said.
The Iloilo governor introduced his freshly-crafted Executive Order No. 911 Series of 2026 which institutes the Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME). PRIME was a program launched back in 2020 led by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office which features psychosocial support and interventions towards the emotional resilience of Ilonggos.
He also presented his Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya Program designed for an effective, relevant and transformative education system for Ilonggo learners.
Defensor further showcased the provincial governmentโs youth initiatives through the Teen Center 2.0 infrastructure project under the Provincial Population Office and the Tib-ong Kabataan Program of the Provincial Health Office.
These targeted interventions have yield tangible outcomes. Data from the Provincial Health Office showed a reduction of adolescent births by 7 percent from 2022 to 2025. On the same period, the province of Iloilo also recorded a decrease of 38 percent in su***de deaths among those aged 3 to 30 years old.
โWe want to mainstream mental health and psychosocial intervention at the forefront of the Universal Health Care. We are now in the process of accrediting our Rural Health Units so they can avail of the mental health package,โ Defensor said.
In fact, the province of Iloilo has an existing partnership with the Unilab Foundation which dated back in 2024 wherein the ULF is providing technical assistance on provincial government projects focusing on mental health.
After his presentation, Governor Defensor joined a panel of fellow leaders to discuss local initiatives, challenges, and solutions towards improved health service delivery at the grassroots level.
Among the panelists are former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo; Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro; Batanes Governor Ronald Aguto Jr.; BARMM Ministry of Health Deputy Minister Dr. Azul Abas; Dr. Janine Patricia Robredo of Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Womenโs Hospital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Institute for Autonomy and Governance Executive Director Atty. Benedicto Bacani.
Governor Defensor was accompanied at the symposium by Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Wendel Marcelo, Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Provincial Population Office Division Chief Janel Alegata, and Provincial Community Defense Action Center Chief Carr Brian Griรฑo.
