Local chief executives, municipal health officials, and healthcare stakeholders gathered at the Provincial Capitol Gym today, July 23, 2026, for the Universal Health Care (UHC) Summit 2026.
Centered on the theme “Healthy Leadership: Sharing Successes, Building Futures,” the event serves as a vital, multi-sectoral platform that highlights the ongoing local implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, a landmark health reform signed in February 2019.
Under this law, all Filipinos are automatically enrolled in the national health insurance program, guaranteeing equitable access to quality and affordable health services without incurring financial hardship.
The summit includes discussions on the current healthcare situation in the province, reducing out-of-pocket health expenses, managing special health funds, and highlighting local nutrition governance initiatives alongside best practices from municipal LGUs.
It also features essential public health foundations, including presentations on environmental sanitation, drinking water security, and wastewater management.
In his message, Gov. RV Evardone highlighted universal health care as a crucial lifeline for Eastern Samar, particularly in bridging the healthcare gap for geographically isolated communities.
While acknowledging that rugged geography and limited municipal budgets pose significant challenges to implementing the law, he reaffirmed the province’s commitment to overcoming these hurdles by increasing funding for local hospitals, drugs, and essential medicines. (SEJ-GBP)
