The Baguio City Council has enacted an ordinance to create a city-wide Eye Health Program aimed at promoting vision care, preventing visual impairment, and providing accessible eye health services for residents.
The program focuses on early detection through annual vision screenings, eye care education, and referral systems, particularly targeting children, marginalized groups, and indigent paties.
Authored by Councilor Elmer Datuin and signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on January 28, 2026, the ordinance mandates that the City Health Services Office (CHSO) lead the implementation of the Eye Health Program, coordinating with partner agencies including the Department of Health (DOH), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), the Department of Education (DepEd), and other local and national stakeholders.
The CHSO is also tasked to develop and execute the City Community Eye Health Services Plan, ensuring accessible, quality eye care for all residents.
A key feature of the program is annual vision screening conducted in strategic locations such as barangays, schools, community parks, and public events. The CHSO, with technical assistance from BGHMC, will ensure that screenings cover children, indigenous peoples, and marginalized populations, providing timely referrals to appropriate eye care professionals.
School-based vision screening programs will also be supported in coordination with DepEd.
The program emphasizes education and promotion of eye health to be led by CHSO’s Health Promotion Unit. This includes Social Behavior Change and Communication (SBCC) campaigns designed to raise awareness on preventive eye care, the importance of outdoor activity for children, and the management of common visual impairments such as myopia, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy. Materials will be localized and distributed in partnership with schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations.
Residents identified with visual impairments will receive comprehensive support services including referrals for cataract surgery and other eye procedures, assistance with PhilHealth enrollment, and financial aid for corrective eyeglasses or treatments. The CHSO will coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to provide additional support for indigent and vulnerable populations.
The ordinance establishes a City Comprehensive Eye Health Team chaired by the City Mayor and co-chaired by the City Health Services Officer, with members from BGHMC, DOH-CAR, DSWD-CAR, PhilHealth-CAR, PDAO, local schools, NGOs, and professional ophthalmology and optometry associations. This team is responsible for planning, monitoring, policy recommendations, maintaining a registry of visual impairment cases, establishing linkages with primary eye care service providers, and approving eye health initiatives.
The ordinance provides for training on primary eye care for Barangay Health Workers, school personnel, and other frontline health staff. The CHSO will also provide capacity-building activities for district health centers, barangay health workers, and partner service providers.
The CHSO is authorized to formulate implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 60 days of the approval of the ordinance. **Jordan G. Habbiling
