Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH) hosted the just concluded 3rd Department of Health (DOH-CAR) Inter-agency Friendship Games which started last April 30, 2019 in the capital town.
Provincial Administrator Amador P. Batay-an who delivered the message of Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., urged the participating health agencies to make the event as a venue to strengthen their relations and solidarity as health providers thru sports competitions.
In his relayed message, the governor also reminded the participants to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and to consider sports as a tool for self-discipline.
With the theme, “Unity and Peace Through Fitness and Sports Towards Health for All,” a parade was held last Tuesday morning to jumpstart the three-day annual activity. A simple opening program ensued and subsequently, the start of the three-day sports competition.
During the opening program, DOH-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan led the Oath of Sportsmanship and at the same time, she also was the guest speaker for the event.
In her message, Dr. Pangilinan underscored the government’s continuing efforts in addressing health concerns in the country through investing in workable health programs and policies as evidenced by the significant increase in the DOH’s expenditures in the last three years.
Other guests who further inspired the participating health providers through their respective messages were Atty. Cyphrine Maxcel Y. Dalog, chief of staff, Office of the Representative and Dr. Eduardo B. Caplito, LHMRH medical center chief.
The participating agencies in said friendship games are LHMRH (Bauko, Mountain Province), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (Baguio City), Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Institute (Quirino, Luna, Apayao), Conner District Hospital (Conner, Apayao), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth- CAR) and DOH- CAR Regional Office.
Meanwhile, DOH-CAR emerged as champion in the dance-exercise competition that highlighted the opening program. Conner DH and BGHMC emerged as second and third place, respectively.
Also, in the evening of April 30 was the Search for Mr. and Ms. Friendship Game 2019 which was a friendly competition where selected ladies and gentlemen from DOH-retained hospitals and attached agencies showcased not just beauty and wit but also their good practices in their respective agencies.
The successful staging of the annual search also brought out the creativity of the participants and their agency, contributed personal development to the participants and foster camaraderie among the participants and participating agencies.
Leon C. Saleo-an, Jr. (Nurse II) of LHMRH and a native of Bontoc was crowned as Mr. Friendship Game 2019 while Ms. Grace Hope Bello (Medical Officer III) of BGHMC and who hails from Baguio City is Ms. Friendship Game 2019.
In addition, chorale and folk-dance competitions were also held simultaneously with the pageant. Group, individual and indigenous games were as well played as part of the three-day event.
As a result, the LHMRH emerged as the overall champion for garnering 357 points and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center was only 2 points shy from the winner with 355 total points. Meanwhile, the DOH-CAR regional office comes third with 217 points and was followed by PhilHealth-CAR, Conner District Hospital and Far North Luzon General Hospital and Teaching Center.** Erwin S. Batnag
