NNC Calabarzon participated in the virtual “Stakeholders’ Consultation on the Implementation of Special Health Fund (SHF)”  last March 30 and 31  to have a  deeper understanding of “Universal Health Care (UHC) Act”  (RA 11223);  and to  introduce the implementation of the SHF through the “Guidelines on the Allocation, Utilization and Monitoring of  and Accountability for the SHF”.

The consultation also tackled:  the policies and procedures on the utilization of the  SHF; the 58 “Universal Health Care Integration Site” of the UHC Law;  and  the “Role of the Local Health Board and LGU Functionaries on Planning and Budgeting of Program, Project and Activities (PPAs) for SHF”.

There were a total of  200 participants on the first day, consisting of  the  staff, DOH staff, NNC staff, DBM staff, Philhealth Staff and DOF staff around the Philippines; and   400 participants on the second day, comprising National Government Agencies (from the national level, regional level, provincial level and municipal and city level) represented by their local chief executives, budget officers, planning officers and other functionaries of  the Local Health Board in their respective LGUs.

The opening message was delivered by OIC-Usec Marlo Iringan from DILG;  while an overview of  the  activities  were delivered by Ms. Gemma Macatangay from the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD)-DILG.

The presentation and presenters were as follows:

• “Salient Features of the Universal Health Care Law” by Usec Mario Villaverde of  the Health Policy and Systems Development Team of DOH.
• “DOH-DBM-DOF-DILG-Philhealth Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-0001” by Division Chief Dr. Lester Tan of the Bureau of Local Health System Development of DOH.
• “Planning and Budgeting for SHF” by OIC-Chief Budget and Management Specialist, Ms. Rowena Marte of DBM
• “Guidelines on the Development of Local Investment Plans for Health per AO 2020-0022” by Chief Health Program Officer, by Ms. Teresita Guzman of Bureau of Local Health Systems Development of DOH.
• “The Provider Payment Reform DRG-Based Global Budget Payment” by Acting Manager, Dr. Mary Antonette Remonte of Benefits Development and Research, PhilHealth Insurance Corporation.

The “Open Forum” was  facilitated by Director Anna Liza Bonagua of  the Bureau of Local Government Development-DILG.  A very interactive application called “slido.com” was used  in order to capture all questions, queries from the voluminous number of participants and intercede it to speakers.

Significant remarks were noted on the scope and coverage of the SHF which underscores that it  shall only apply to provinces, highly urbanized cities, independent component cities, component cities and municipalities participating in the province-wide/city-wide health system. In addition, the SHF only targets  58 UHC Integration Sites, of which in CaLaBaRZon, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon are part of.

It was also  mentioned in the consultation  that the guidelines shall apply to NGAs involved in the funding, administration, implementation and/or monitoring of the SHF, and  CSOs, International Health Partners and other stakeholders willing to support the P/CWHS. Also highlighted was the vital role of the  Provincial/City Health Board as the steward of the Integrated Local Health System and as managing entity of SHF.

By: Edward C. Paglinawan