Text by: Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by: Office of the Chancellor

Realizing the need to include the working population in targeted healthcare interventions, the University of the Philippines Manila shared a proposal to promote community-centered health and workforce policies for adults aged 21 to 60 residing within communities in economic zones.

Chancellor Michael Tee unveiled the three pillars of action of the proposed Public Health in Economic Zones (PHEZ) Program during his presentation at the Labor Month celebration of Clark Freeport Zone on May 28, 2025. The event gathered Pampanga local government officials, including incoming governor Lilia Pineda, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and CEO, Agnes Devanadera, among others.

The first pillar, Caring for the Worker, aims to provide physical checkups and mental health support to help workers cope with industry challenges and stress. This entails wellness initiatives such as peer support, recreational activities, and a cervical cancer prevention program. The second pillar, Developing the Future Workforce, entails curriculum development in green jobs, healthcare, and public service. Essentially, this pillar helps prepare students to be industry-ready through the enhancement of academic Programs and deployment of UP Manila interns to the CDC offices. The third pillar, Crafting Science-Based Policy, supports evidence-based policymaking through the interpretation of available community health-related data in the CDC and collaborative research with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

Aside from these, PHEZ also includes the provision of culturally appropriate and community-oriented healthcare initiatives and sustainable, heritage-based livelihoods for Aeta Indigenous Communities.

The proposed healthcare program emerged from discussions between Tee and Devanadera during an overseas trip as part of the Transnational Higher Education mission of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 

“Mula sa puso at malasakit ni President Devanadera sa kanyang komunidad sa Clark Development Corporation, aming napagtanto na may isang mahalagang sektor na kadalasang hindi nasasaklaw ng mga programang pangkalusugan: ang mga nasa gap years ng public health—mga edad 21 hanggang 60. Hindi na sila saklaw ng kabataang interbensyon; hindi pa sila kasama sa geriatric care. Subalit sila ang haligi ng ating mga pamilya, ekonomiya, at institusyon: mga manggagawa, magulang, lider, guro, at kawani,” Chancellor Tee explained in his presentation. 

“Dito sa Clark, sa puso ng isang industrial zone, may natatanging pagkakataon tayong baguhin ang naratibo. Sapagkat dito, ang mga kumpanya at human resource managers ay hindi lamang katuwang sa negosyo—sila ay mga tagapaglikha ng social determinants of health,” he added.

UP Manila and the DOLE regional office are set to embark on a healthcare needs assessment of the workforce in the CDC and nearby provinces. This aims to eliminate a “one-size-fits-all” approach and ensure healthcare strategies reflect actual conditions.#

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