[The Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP) colloquium lauds the achievements and best practices of the bridging leaders in health from Northern Mindanao. Photo by Anthony Jacob C Karagdag]
By Wilson J Hormeguera
The Governance and Leadership Institute (GLI) of Xavier University, in partnership with Department of Health – Region 10 and Zuellig Family Foundation, held its second colloquium and awarding ceremony for the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP) in Cagayan de Oro City on November 6.
MLGP is a professional certificate training program that aims to improve health outcomes through an empowering leadership and governance, enhanced local health systems, active community participation and service delivery at the local level.
The program is also geared toward creating an immediate impact on achieving related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as the reduction of infant mortality rate (IMR) and improving maternal health in 609 identified priority municipalities nationwide that need to improve in their local health systems by the end of 2015.
Following the Bridging Leadership Framework, the local chief executives and their municipal health officers went through a series of workshops, highlighting how to address the health inequities in their respective localities.
Considering that a certain health inequity is a complicated problem, the training emphasized the importance of multistakeholders’ co-ownership approach in addressing it. Thus, the bridging leader together with other stakeholders can craft innovative solutions to their local health problems.
The colloquium lauded the achievements and best practices of the bridging leaders in health, namely:
- Mayor Renante V Inocando and Dr Elma C Oclarit of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon;
- Mayor Lorenzo A Gawilan Jr and Dr Ramona B. Santiago of Kitaotao, Bukidnon;
- Mayor Godofredo I Balansag and Dr Josefa Arlita L Alsula of Lantapan, Bukidnon;
- Mayor Joanne Marie C Rubin and Mae Nadine Giselle Tabamo of Guinsiliban, Camiguin;
- Mayor Rosa D Olafsson and Dr Melania F Untao of Baroy, Lanao del Norte;
- Mayor Allan J Lim and Dr Ava O Liwanag of Lala, Lanao del Norte;
- Mayor Rafael C Rizalda and Dr Emmylou Jane C Diaz of Maigo, Lanao del Norte;
- Mayor Manuel G Animas and Dr Joebelle May C Galang of Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental.
During the occasion, XU granted the certificates of recognition to the bridging leaders. Engr Gail de la Rita, OIC vice-president for Research and Social Outreach, awarded the certificates to the program graduates.
In her message, DOH-10 regional director Dr Nimfa Torrizo urged the mayors and health workers to sustain their goals and gains in health services even after the conclusion of the program.
Under MLGP, GLI was able to train 53 LGUs in the first module and 28 in the second module, while a number of leaders from 16 LGUs in Region 10 have graduated from this training program.