On May 29, 2024, the official launch of the PGT-UP Resilience Hub, a groundbreaking collaboration between the Provincial Government of Tarlac and the University of the Philippines, was held on the 3rd Floor of the UPM School of Health Sciences Building, IT Park 1, Tibag, Tarlac City, Tarlac.
The PGT-UP Resilience Hub was established to serve as a center for empowering key actors across all sectors. This initiative represents a public service commitment for the common good, involving active partnerships with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), the private sector, and civil society. The goal is to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience through anticipatory planning and the implementation of science-based, risk-informed programs, projects, and activities (PPAs). “I think our resources must go beyond just relief,” said Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap. “It has to be more responsive already; we have to mitigate the effects of climate change. That’s why we are here today, for resilience – to adapt our people, our plans, our programs, and projects geared towards the changing environment”.
During the launch, the Resilience Hub’s emphasis on improving Public Health Information and Research was highlighted. The Bayanihan Na model, utilized by the University of the Philippines at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was showcased to demonstrate the digital transformation of Tarlac’s Health Services. This model aims to provide better access to doctors in remote areas through Assisted Video Consultations (AVCs), streamline the approval of healthcare benefits, and improve information available to health departments, doctors, and patients. These services will be delivered through a telehealth platform for pilot Rural Health Units (RHUs).
In its pilot phase, the Hub will serve as the command center for these services, with about forty volunteer doctors from Tarlac and UP Manila available for AVCs in 10 participating RHUs and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). As part of the UP Resilience Institute’s (UPRI) goal to enhance Healthcare Information and Data Analytics, the Telehealth initiative will be integrated with a Free Doctors’ Portal for all Tarlac-based doctors. This portal will allow for the electronic nomination of healthcare benefits to patients, an interactive healthcare bulletin board, medical detailing, and electronic prescriptions. The digital transformation initiative enables Tarlac Health Departments to gain a comprehensive view of the province’s health status, including data from private clinics.
Future plans for the Resilience Hub include initiatives for carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and the promotion of urban farming. The implementation of carbon credits will help mitigate climate change by incentivizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiversity credits will support the conservation of local ecosystems, ensuring the protection and restoration of Tarlac’s natural habitats. Additionally, the promotion of urban farming will not only enhance food security but also provide sustainable livelihoods for the local community, transforming urban spaces into productive green areas.
This Resilience Hub is the first facility outside UP Diliman where UPRI will officially hold office. UPRI aims to establish similar facilities in other parts of the country to ensure that this innovative framework and its initiatives can benefit other LGUs nationwide.