Iloilo named most outstanding LGU in health

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Province of Iloilo was recognized as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the Province/Highly Urbanized City category during the Western Visayas Harmonized Health Excellence Awards on Oct. 3 at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City.

The award was conferred by the Department of Health–Western Visayas Center for Health Development in recognition of the province’s strong local health systems and effective implementation of priority health programs.

The province received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of PHP 600,000.

Aside from the top award, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) also garnered citations for its exemplary implementation of several flagship programs, including:

• National Immunization Program and Cold Chain Management
• National Safe Motherhood Program
• Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH)
• Nutrition Program
• PhilPEN (Philippine Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions)
• National Voluntary Blood Services Program
• Access to Safe Basic Water Program
• Rabies Prevention and Control Program
• HIV Prevention and Control Program
• National Tuberculosis Program
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H)
• Road Safety Program
• Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Program
• Barangay Health Workers Program
• Electronic Logistics Management Information System (ELMIS)

Provincial officials dedicated the award to program partners, rural health unit implementers and stakeholders who contributed to the province’s health milestones.