In recognition of exemplary coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and health promotion programs of local government units (LGUs), the first-ever Healthy Pilipinas Awards for Healthy Communities was held this March.
An initiative led by the Department of Health (DoH), the awards recognized model LGU healthcare programs in seven priority areas defined in the DoH Health Promotion Framework Strategy.
“A healthy community is any level of local government unit where the physical, social, political and economic factors that make up the environment of the population are promotive and protective of health; and where healthcare is available and accessible,” said DoH Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho.
For the priority area of nutrition and physical activity, the winners were: Borbon, Cebu – Borbon Healthy Nanay and Bulilit; Canlaon, Negros Oriental – Multi-sectoral Approach in the Reduction of Malnutrition; Tandag City – First 1000 Days Program; Bayambang, Pangasinan – ECCD F1K Dietary Supplementation Program for Mothers; and Quezon City – GrowQC: Quezon City’s Inclusive and Sustainable Food Security and Healthy Public Food Procurement Program.
For environmental health: Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – OPLAN ZOD: Toilets for Every Juan; Quezon City – Camp Coordination and Camp Management Program; Carmen, Surigao del Sur – Kugi Uswag Carmen: Annual Search for Environmental and Sanitary Best Practices; Sta. Praxedes Rural Unit – Sapat na Palikuran, Sagot sa Malinis na Kapaligiran; and Borbon, Cebu – Borbon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health and Health Emergency Management Services.
For immunization: Claveria, Cagayan – Immunization; Pampanga Provincial Health Office – Catch-up Immunization Campaign; Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay – Age-appropriate Immunizations; and Tacloban City – Immunization (COVID-19 Vaccines, Anti-flu, and Pneumococcal for Senior Citizen).
For substance abuse prevention: Cagayan de Oro City – Rehabilitation and Aftercare: Kontra Droga; Ilagan City – Social Advocacy Group and Integration Program (SAGIP); Tacloban City Government – New Beginnings; Antique Province – Tobacco Control Program; and Consolacion Cebu – Community Based Rehabilitation Program.
For mental health: Ilocos Sur – This Book is so Boring – A Self-Care Journal; Baguio City – Mental Health Program; Borbon, Cebu – Mental Health Warriors; Quezon City – Your Mental Health Matters: The Quezon City Community-Based Mental Health Program; and Bohol – Laum Bohol Program: A Holistic Approach to Mental Wellness.
For sexual and reproductive health: Cagayan de Oro City – Teensights: Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health Insights (Online Campaign); Cabuyao, Laguna – Talk Show with Dra. David at Cabuyao on Air (Population Health and Development); Puerto Princesa City – Sustaining Reproductive Health Services Gearing Towards Population and Development; San Fernando, Camarines Sur – Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH); and Dumaguete City – Sexual and Reproductive Health Promoting Positive Sexual and Reproductive Health in Dumaguete City.
For violence and injury prevention: Valenzuela City – Juana Be Wais: Communicating Violence Prevention; Iloilo City – Iloilo City Bike Lanes; and Lapu-Lapu City – Violence and Injury Prevention Program.
In addition to the priority areas, COVID-19 prevention was also included. Named best LGUs were Baguio City – Baguio BIDA Solusyon Award for COVID-19 Prevention Programs; Legazpi City – The Legazpi COVID-19 Vaccination Program 2021; San Juan City – Ako ay San Juaneño, Bakunado at Protektado: San Juan City Vaccination Information Dissemination Program; and Bataan Province – Bataan Vax; and Guimaras Province – Usapang Bakuna with Barangay Health Workers.
The honorable mentions or the “BIDA Awardees” were San Juan City – COVID-19 Prevention (Minimum Public Health Standards) Program; Ilagan City – Prepare Ilagan (Pandemic Response Program and Recovery of the City of Ilagan); and Biñan City – Sa Lungsod ng Biñan, Bida ang May Bakuna Campaign.
“More than a competition, we want everyone to remember this event as a recognition of the initiatives and activities of LGUs in health promotion. Undoubtedly, many of our kababayans benefited from these programs. Indeed, through our concerted efforts, achieving a Healthy Pilipinas is truly within reach,” said Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario S. Vergeire.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
