VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The Department of Health-Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD 1) recognized its stakeholders for their support during the recent 2024 Gawad Kalusugan Awarding Ceremony held at the Van Gogh Hotel in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
The three award categories—Madaydayaw, Palbayani, and Bannuar ti Salun-at — were awarded to 211 recipients from the four provinces in Region 1 to honor them for their valuable contribution to the achievement of universal health care, the improvement of basic health services in the community, and the achievement of vaccination targets.
The Madaydayaw (Praiseworthy) Award was received by 29 government agencies and organizations in the region who participated and supported the DOH Ilocos’ health programs and activities at the community level.
The Palbayani (Hero) Award, commending the recipients’ performance in the implementation and establishment of health programs and services, was conferred to the province of Ilocos Sur along with 92 other awardees.
Governor Jeremias Singson, through a message delivered by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ericson Singson, said, “We are proud to be recognized today by the DOH-CHD 1 as one of the awardees. On behalf of the provincial government, I humbly accept this recognition and express my deepest appreciation to the DOH Ilocos CHD for acknowledging our efforts to advance the health and well-being of our beloved province.”
Moreover, the DOH’s Bannuar Iti Salun-At (Heroes of Health) Award was presented to 89 health offices, district hospitals, and barangay health workers associations.
DOH Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said, “With our continuous collaborative efforts, we can achieve our vision of a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (new Philippines) wherein ‘Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga‘ (every life is important) and nobody’s health will be left unattended.”
She extended her appreciation to the awardees and congratulated them for their commitment and perseverance in delivering health care services to their respective communities.
Further, she also mentioned that the region has achieved 100% in the integration of Province-Wide/City-wide Health System (P/CWHS) in the four provinces of La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City.
She added that there is an 86% integration of the system at the organizational level and now has 48% functional network-wide management support system, while 45% is ongoing institutionalization and only seven percent is yet to be started.
Cash prizes amounting from P20,000 to P150,000, including plaques of recognition, were given to this year’s awardees.
Sydiongco quipped, “Let us celebrate our efforts and continue safeguarding the health of our people, and let our milestones be our guide in our continuing journey towards providing excellence in health care.”(AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
