The Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), headed by Dr. Manuel Y. Gayoles, successfully conducted its Annual Meeting on August 27, at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center. The event served as a venue where partners renewed their pledge of commitment and new partners were welcomed. These partners expressed their willingness to dedicate time and effort to collectively bridge healthcare gaps by sharing insights and perspectives from the sectors they represent, a press release from the group said.
The council is composed of members from various social and civic organizations, the private sector, and local government units. Among them were representatives from the City of Bacolod; Province of Negros Occidental – Hospital Operations Division; Department of Health Center for Health Development – Negros Island Region (NIR); PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) Bacolod; Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Negros Occidental; Women and Child Protection Unit – Bacolod City Police Office; Land Transportation Office (LTO) – Bacolod City District Office; Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Negros Occidental; Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) – NIR; Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) – Negros Occidental; Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) – Negros Occidental; Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) – Negros Occidental; National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Negros Occidental; SM City Bacolod; Vallacar Transit, Inc.; University of St. La Salle College of Medicine; TAMBAL; KAUSAP; Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute (NYLI) – Center for Health and Well-Being; Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation, Inc.; Rotary Club of Bacolod Central; Rotary Club of Bacolod North; Welcome Home Foundation, Inc.; and CLMMRH Cancer, Amlig, and Dialysis Patient Support Groups.
The annual meeting was convened to strengthen alliances across these diverse sectors by fostering strategic guidance, policy formulation, and transformation initiatives. Through continuous communication and collaboration, the MSGC and its partners aim to bring expertise, networks, and influence to support reforms and healthcare transformation, helping to address identified gaps in the system.
An open forum was also held, where partners shared their motivations for serving marginalized groups. Welcome Home Foundation, Inc. highlighted its advocacy for the deaf community; NVC Foundation, Inc. emphasized the importance of proper nutrition for children; and the NYLI Center for Health and Well-Being underscored pressing issues affecting the youth, particularly mental health challenges and the rising number of HIV cases. Key partners also pointed out persistent social barriers that hinder access to quality healthcare, such as poverty, lack of information and education, limited transportation, as well as stigma and discrimination—especially in relation to HIV. Recognizing how these factors influence health outcomes, the partners pledged to work hand in hand in developing initiatives to reduce their impact and burden.
As champions of good governance, commitment, and transparency, the MSGC of CLMMRH and its members affirmed their dedication to sustained efforts in realizing their shared goal: helping the community achieve better health outcomes.