City Council backs partnership for 2024 health plan implementation

THE 20th City Council, during its regular session on Monday, enacted an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to enter into and sign the Terms of Partnership (TOP) with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH CHD NM) to oversee the management and implementation of the concurred 2024 Annual Operation Plan (AOP).

Anchored on Republic Act No. 11223, also known as the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, the TOP formalizes a collaborative arrangement to provide financial and non-financial matching grants. These include funding for capital outlay, human resources, and health commodities to enhance city-wide health investment plans.

Under the agreement, the city, in coordination with its component local government units (LGUs), will allocate, utilize, and liquidate the necessary funds for the city-wide implementation of the 2024 AOP.

It shall also comply with technical and operational requirements needed to release grants for specific programs, manage program resources, and ensure the delivery of essential inputs such as civil works, equipment, human resources, commodities, and capacity-building initiatives.

The city is further tasked with monitoring the implementation and fund utilization of the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH)/AOP and sharing these plans with stakeholders, including DOH offices, international health partners, donor agencies, national government agencies, and academic institutions, for assistance and research purposes.

For its part, the DOH CHD NM will coordinate and facilitate support from national government agencies and development partners for the city.

It shall also issue necessary policies to mobilize assistance, deliver technical support, monitor the AOP implementation, and facilitate the provision and release of grants or funds under the CHD director’s authority.

Certified urgent by City Mayor Uy, the ordinance was approved unanimously by the City Council.