Iloilo eyes 2nd Galing Pook Award with Healthy Hearts Program

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The province of Iloilo is vying for its second Galing Pook Award with its “Puso Para sa Puso – Movement for Healthy Hearts Towards MoRProGRes Iloilo” program, as the Galing Pook Committee conducts a two-day site validation from September 2 to 3.

Leading the validation team are former DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero and Professor Ruben Gamala from the University of the Philippines Visayas.

Iloilo’s entry showcases its implementation of the World Health Organization’s Healthy Hearts Program, which has effectively reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases among Ilonggos through successful hypertension control measures.

As part of the initiative, Barangay Health Workers were trained to conduct simple blood pressure tests, ensuring that preventive healthcare services reach the community level.

Notably, Iloilo is the first local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines to implement the Healthy Hearts Program, beginning with Phase I in 2018.

The pilot Phase II was rolled out in 2021, followed by the launch of Phase III in June 2023.

Additionally, the province hosted the first World Heart Day celebration in the country on September 29, 2022.

Iloilo’s “Zero to Limpyo Iloilo: Movement for a Province-wide ZOD” program was among the 10 awardees of the 2023 Galing Pook Awards, which were conferred on October 12 last year.

The Galing Pook Awards recognize outstanding local government programs that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and impact on the community.