Bontoc, Mountain Province – The health sector here came together for the 3rd Provincial Health Workers Conference and Convention of the Provincial Public Health Association – Mountain Province Chapter last November 17, 2017 at the Multi-purpose Hall, Provincial Plaza.
With the theme “Inspiring Each Other Towards Health for All,” the activity acknowledged the important roles of health workers in the province. It is a venue where the provincial government through the Provincial Health Office gave due recognition to the different program coordinators, special bodies, LGUs for their outstanding or exemplary work.
Adjudged as the Best Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Implementers for CY 2011-2015 are the Sabangan Rural Health Unit (RHU) with Elizabeth T. Billao as the MNCHN Coordinator and Bontoc RHU with MNCHN Coordinator Evangeline Mendoza. These RHUs garnered the highest score based on their accomplishments as shown by the following indicators – fully immunized child, Contraceptive Prevalence Rate, Facility-Based Delivery, Malnutrition Rate, functional Community Health Team (CHT), maternal death rate and neonatal death rate.
The award for the Most Active Nutrition Program Implementer went to Bauko RHU with Helen Kimmayong as the Program Coordinator. Bauko RHU garnered the highest score in CY 2015 for having an approved Municipal Nutrition Action Plan, provision of funds for nutrition programs, initiating nutrition-related activities, for complete and timely submission of reports, and partcipation in the monitoring and evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation.
Tadian MESU with Claire Tuggad as coordinator received the Most Improved Award in CY 2015 collection and analysis of data, health event investigation and laboratory part.
Elizabeth T. Bilao of Sabangan RHU was adjudged the Most Active Family Planning (FP) Coordinator for CY 2015 in terms of timely and complete submission of SP reports, correct and clean storage of FP commodities, technical assistance to RHMs, activities initiated to increase CPR and updated training on FP.
Bontoc RHU with Ressureccion Lingbanan as EVS Coordinator and Barlig RHU with Minda Bagano as EVS Coorditator were adjudged the Best EVS Implementers. They garnered the highest score in CY 2012-2015 in terms of timely and complete submission of EVS reports, waste segregation practices and disposal at the RHU, percentage of households with sanitary toilets and technical assistance to the barangays.
The Best Performing TB-DOT’s Facility award went to Bauko RHU with TB Coordinator Linda Agagen for her valuable efforts and dedication for the Tubercolosis program.
Evangeline Mendoza of Bontoc RHU was adjudged the Best Data Manager for her highly commendable commitment, skills, and attitude in data management and analysis.
Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital got the 2015 “ORAS” Citation Award for its highly commendable efforts in observing on time submission of FHI’s reports; reliability, accesibility, and availability of reports; and systhematic filing of reports.
Sadanga RHU received the Highest Delivery Attended by Midwife Award for having the highest percentage of deliveries attended by a midwife from 2011-2015.
A Certificate of Recognition was also given to St. Theodore’s Hospital for its outstanding cooperation and assistance in the submission of immunization reports.
Moreover, barangays with 100% sanitary toilets for CY 2012-2015 were also recognized. Leading the list are the municipalities of Bauko and Sabangan for having four barangays each. The barangays are Balintaugan, Bila, Otucan Norte and Otucan Sur in Bauko and Barangays Bao-angan, Lagan, Namatec and Supangin, Sabangan. Barangays Caluttit and Poblacion of Bontoc, Barangay Chupac in Barlig, Barangay Dagdag in Sagada and Barangay Poblacion in Tadian also received the award.
On the same occassion the Healthiest Barangay was also given due recognition. Barangay Kaleo in Barlig bagged the award with a cash price of P50,000.00.
Aside from the recognition of achievements, the activity was also a venue where the Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health (DOH) revealed the results of a survey conducted on Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) and unmet needs. The gathered data set will then be the basis for formulating a more appropriate health intervention to improve health service delivery and expand coverage in the province, especially in family planning.
The Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA) – Mountain Province Chapter also held their convention. Dr. Penelope A. Domogo, the association’s president disclosed that their organization provides a venue for fellowship and solidarity with fellow health workers in Mountain Province. It contributes towards the solution of public health problems and works for the general welfare of its members.
Dr. Domogo, Assistant Provincial Health Officer, in her opening remarks said that the recognition of the exemplary work of public health workers will help improve their morale for committed public service. She added that in their field as public health workers, teamwork is essential to advance the delivery of health services to the constituents of the province.
Executive Assistant Pancho B. Reyes delivered the message of Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. He underscored the importance of the activity which intends to foster a deeper sense of commitment and more extensive collaboration among public servants. He highlighted the theme of the activity which symbolizes a perfect strategy on the implementation of the socio-economic roadmaps of President Rodrigo Duterte Administration as well as the province’s social enhancement program. “With you in the frontline during the program implementation, you can see how important your role is as we move forward to achieve our goals,” he said.
“I wish to emphasize that the key to a healthy community or a healthy nation does not come only from the hands of those in authority but it comes from each of you. You must be inspired by your profession because after all, this is your legacy to those who come to you for help,” he equipped.
Also present to witness the event were Dr. Mary Jane Muñoz of the (DOH) –Cordillera Regional Office and Sanguniang Panlalawigan member Cariño S. Tamang who chairs the Committee on Health, Sanitation and Social Services.
Development Management Officer IV Claudio Pancho of the DOH – Provincial Office familiarized the participants on the Philippine Health Agenda 2016-2022.
The activity was funded by the DOH and was implemented by the provincial government through its Provincial Health Office.
