Baguio adopts 3-year investment health plan

Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong ratified City Council Resolution 136, Series of 2023, adopting the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH) as the strategic and investment plan for health in the Summer Capital for 2023-2025 with the summary of activities as specified under the LIPH to be undertaken by the City Health Services Office (CHSO).
    In December 2019, Magalong signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health (DoH) signifying the city's intention to become a Universal Health Care Integration Site (UHC-IS) and manifesting its commitment to implement the different provisions in the MoU.
    These include, among others, the conduct of preparatory work needed to facilitate local health systems integration, such as, but not limited to, operational guidelines, baseline studies, training needs assessment, participatory, evidence-informed development of local investment plan for health, and organization of the local health board and its support unit.
    The approved measure stated that DoH Administrative Order 2020-0022 on the guidelines on the development of LIPH highlights the urgent need to update the LIPH to support the progressive realization of UHC goals and objectives.
    The CHSO spearheaded the development of the LIPH based on the said order, which adhered to the plan development process as issued by the DoH, it added.
    Republic Act 7160, or the "Local Government Code of 1991," as amended, mandates the devolution of the delivery of health services and facilities as one of the basic functions and responsibilities of local government units.