Leadership and Governance

I. LeadGov4Health (Support to the Local Health Board)

A. Leadership and governance for health is an integral part of health systems strengthening. It ensures the presence of strategic policy frameworks combined with effective oversight, coalition-building, regulation, attention to system design and accountability (WHO, 2010).

The Local Health Board (LHB) in every city, municipality and province serve as the main advisory body to the Sanggunian (local legislative body) on matters pertaining to health to the Local Government Units (LGUs). In order to enhance the operations, systems, and processes within the LHB, the LeadGov4Health policy framework and key strategic domains are developed and disseminated.

The following are the key strategic domains for the LGUs to have a functional LHB:

1. Harmonized Planning and Policy Development

2. Effective and Efficient Resource Mobilization

3. Pro-active Multi-Stakeholder and Community Engagement

4. Promotion of an Enabling Environment for Good Governance

B. Policies and Reports

  • RA 7160 and its IRR

C. Information System (none as of the moment)

 

II. Support to the DOH Representatives

A. Since the devolution of health services down to the local government units (LGU) was implemented in 1991, the DOH delegated representatives to the LGUs’ local health board (LHB). These representatives serve as an invaluable link in ensuring an aligned and concerted health system from the local level to the CHD and the national level and vice versa.

With the passage of RA 11223 and the move on integrating the local health systems to province-wide and city-wide health systems, it is also imperative that the skills and expertise of the DOH Representatives be upgraded so they can provide technical assistance to the LGUs efficiently and effectively. With this, the DOH shall continuously provide support mechanisms through the issuance of policies, guidelines and tools for them to perform their functions.

B. Policies and Reports

  • Administrative Order No. 2020-0029 dated 09 July 2020, “Roles, Functions and Responsibilities of the Department of Health Representative”
  • Executive Order No. 366 series 2013 on the Creation of the positions of DMO IV and V

C. Information System

  • DOH Rep Assistant App - an app exclusively for the DOH Representatives.

 

III. Support to the Continuing Development of Barangay Health Workers

A. Republic Act (RA) 7883 otherwise known as “The Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) were issued in recognition of the indispensable roles of the BHWs in strengthening the local health system through community organization, education and provision of primary health care services at the grassroots. It is also stipulated that the DOH is responsible to provide directions and guidelines on the effective implementation of these Rules.

In response to this, the Section develops guidelines/ tools to support the BHW in the following components, in coordination with other stakeholders:

  • Capacity and Career Path Development
  • Fund and Logistic Support for the Institutionalization of Regional BHW Development Activities
  • Performance-Based Incentives and other forms of assessment and recognition of BHW performance
  • National BHW Registry System

B. Policies and Reports

  • Republic Act 7883 – The Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995  and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) (1996)
  • DM No. 2009-0302 dated Nov.25, 2009: Reiteration of DOH Support for the Continuing Development of Barangay Health Workers.
  • DM 2020-0183 Guidelines on the Issuance of  Issuance of BHW ID

C. Information System

  • National BHW Registry System (https://bhw.doh.gov.ph)
  • The Local Health Boards of each municipality and city shall maintain a registry of their registered and accredited BHWs. These registries are then consolidated at the province, through the Provincial Health Board, and submitted to the DOH. The DOH then maintains the National BHW Registry System.

D. Capacity Development

  • Updating of the BHW Reference Manual
  • Align with the Universal Health Care
  • Updates on the roles of BHWs and inclusion of new topics (i.e. COVID-19)
  • Emphasizes skills on primary care, community mobilization and health promotion
  • Online modules
  • Training/orientations are continuously being provided/coordinated/supported through the CHD.

In partnership with TESDA, the DOH-BLHSD and HHRDB and BHW Federation Officers, the Training Regulation (TR) for Barangay Health Service National Certificate II and Competency Assessment Tool of the said TR was promulgated

F. Recognition of BHWs

  • Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) to BHWs

Annual provision of  PBI to BHWs through the BHW Federations of highest performing Provincial/City LGU based on the support of BHW Federation to its members in terms of UHC implementation and in compliance with RA 7883.

E. Fund Support to BHW Activities

Provision of funds to support BHWs activities such as but not lmited to hiring of BHW encoders, logistic  (IEC materials) and  to augment cost of BHW related  activities.