Efforts to detect tuberculosis (TB) earlier and bring diagnostic services to hard-to-reach communities in Lapu-Lapu City are set to expand after the city received an initial P10 million in US government assistance.
The funding was announced during the visit of US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton to city hall on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. It is the first tranche of a US$316,000 grant, equivalent to about P19.9 million, under the Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement and Health Commitment Grants.
The remaining funds will be released in succeeding tranches, subject to the city’s compliance with agreed program targets and milestones.
Lapu-Lapu is among eight local government units in the country selected to receive US assistance for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Other recipients include Mandaue City, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Zamboanga del Sur, Siquijor Province and Isabela Province.
City Health Office head Dr. Nelner Omus said the program had strengthened the city’s efforts to find TB cases, including among residents who may have the disease without showing symptoms.
During the first six months of implementation, the city’s broader TB initiatives reached 7,228 people through active case finding, 40,440 through intensified case finding and 1,602 through enhanced case finding, according to City Health Office data.
Contact investigations also covered 2,098 people. Meanwhile, 183 patients diagnosed with TB were undergoing treatment, while 231 people received preventive treatment.
Omus said the initiative enabled health workers to bring diagnostic services directly to communities instead of relying on residents to visit health facilities. The effort also extends to island barangays and smaller islets, where distance can make access to medical care difficult.
The initial P10-million funding went toward equipment, including a mobile X-ray van and cartridges, as well as additional personnel such as radiologists, radiologic technologists, TB navigators and nurses.
Omus said TB remained among the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in Lapu-Lapu, although the city had achieved a treatment success rate of more than 90%. The additional resources have also helped intensify active case finding and support efforts to meet TB case notification targets, she added.
Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan said the grant would help extend diagnostic services to residents in mainland and island communities, particularly those who face difficulties reaching medical facilities.
She also thanked the US government, the Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas and local health workers for supporting the city’s TB initiatives.
DOH 7 Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes said the partnership would allow Lapu-Lapu to pilot approaches focused on early detection, active case finding, treatment and preventive measures for people exposed to TB.
Brillantes said TB remained among the leading causes of death in Central Visayas, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Lipton was accompanied by his wife, Erika Lipton, during the city hall visit, where barangay health workers welcomed them.
Also present were Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Junard “Ahong” Chan, Vice Mayor Dr. Celsi Sitoy, members of the City Council, city health personnel and representatives of the US Embassy.
Photo by Christian Paul Aleser
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