ABSTRACT
The Philippine prehospital care system at the barangay level remains fragmented and underdeveloped despite existing local government mandates. This study assessed the current state, challenges, and opportunities for establishing LGU-managed prehospital care services using a descriptive evaluative design involving 385 stakeholders, including barangay responders, officials, and health workers. Findings reveal that Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and disaster personnel are vital frontline responders but face significant gaps in training, resources, emergency transport, and communication systems. Systemic issues such as coordination failures, financial constraints, disaster vulnerability of local health facilities, and limited public first aid knowledge further hinder effective service delivery. The lack of a unified national ambulance service exacerbates fragmentation and inconsistency in emergency care. Despite these challenges, stakeholders strongly support a structured policy framework emphasizing human resource development, community engagement, and improved coordination. However, initiatives requiring substantial funding or complex multi-LGU collaboration are viewed as less feasible. Opportunities include the dedication of local personnel, supportive officials, community cohesion, and existing Department of Health training programs. The study recommends formalizing the role of Barangay Pre-Hospital Workers through legislation, securing dedicated funding, implementing standardized training, enhancing communication infrastructure, and fostering community involvement. These measures aim to transform informal, inconsistent prehospital responses into a standardized, efficient, and resilient system, ultimately improving emergency care and health outcomes in Filipino communities.
Keywords: Barangay Health Center, Policy Framework, LGU Managed Pre-Hospital Care Services