ILOILO CITY — Iloilo Province is strengthening its community-based health programs by integrating adolescent health, mental health, and psychosocial support into its implementation of Universal Health Care. Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. presented these initiatives during the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Forum on September 28, 2026, at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City.
Mainstreaming Mental Health in Primary Care
Defensor emphasized the province's commitment to making mental health services accessible at the community level. The provincial government is working to accredit rural health units so they can provide the PhilHealth outpatient mental health benefit package. This integration brings critical services closer to residents through the primary healthcare system.
"We want to mainstream mental health and psychosocial intervention at the forefront of Universal Health Care," Defensor said. He anchored his presentation on the UHC Act's mandate to protect and promote every Filipino's right to health. The governor also framed UHC as an investment in human capital, particularly in adolescent health and mental well-being.
PRIME and Institutionalized Psychosocial Support
The Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion, or PRIME, remains central to the province's mental health strategy. Launched in 2020 under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, PRIME provides psychosocial interventions that strengthen the emotional resilience of Ilonggos.
Executive Order No. 911, Series of 2026, further institutionalizes PRIME as part of the province's continuing mental health efforts. This legal backing ensures the program's sustainability beyond political transitions, embedding mental health support into the province's permanent governance framework.
Youth-Focused Programs and Measurable Gains
The province highlighted several youth-focused initiatives. Teen Center 2.0 under the Provincial Population Office provides spaces for adolescent health services, psychosocial support, and career guidance. The Tib-ong Kabataan Program of the Provincial Health Office complements these efforts, while Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya supports a responsive education system for Ilonggo learners.
Provincial Health Office data revealed encouraging results. Adolescent births declined by 7 percent from 2022 to 2025, while suicide deaths among people aged 3 to 30 dropped by 38 percent during the same period. These figures suggest that integrated interventions are producing measurable improvements in community health outcomes.
Partnerships and Collaborative Approach
Iloilo has maintained a partnership with the Unilab Foundation since 2024, with the foundation providing technical assistance for provincial projects focused on mental health. This collaboration exemplifies how public-private partnerships can strengthen local health systems and accelerate program implementation.
Following his presentation, Defensor joined a panel discussion with other local and health sector leaders. The panel included Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Batanes Governor Ronald Aguto Jr., and other health experts. They discussed local initiatives, challenges, and solutions to improving health service delivery at the grassroots level.
The forum gathered leaders from government, academe, the private sector, and civil society to discuss practical approaches to strengthening local health systems under the Universal Health Care Act.
