CatPIO photo
The Department of Health conferred the Magayagaya Award to the provincial government of Catanduanes during the 14th Salud Bicolnon Awards last week for its outstanding performance in public health governance.
Receiving the award, as well as the P700,000 cash prize, on behalf of Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza was his representative, Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Hazel A. Palmes.
The yearly recognition ceremony of the DOH Bicol Center for Health Development honors local governments that demonstrate visionary leadership, strong systems, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of their people.
“This prestigious recognition reflects the decisive, people-centered leadership of Governor Azanza and the provincial government’s relentless efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and uplift the well-being of every Catandunganon,” the Capitol press release stated.
Under the chief executive’s stewardship, Catanduanes continues to advance responsive and inclusive health programs—proof that good governance saves lives and builds hope, it added.
“This highest regional recognition stands as a testament that when leadership is guided by integrity, urgency, and compassion, public service truly becomes public good,” it stressed,
The Magayagaya Award is bestowed once a year to a province or municipality that registers the most significant improvement in the LGU scorecard among all local government units, while maintaining a stable and effective governance structure at the Provincial Health Organization level.
Also getting the covered Green Achiever Award along with other Bicol LGUs is the municipality of Panganiban.
Here are the other winners from the island:
Award of Recognition for Exemplary Commitment to Newborn Screening Patient Care Continuity – EBMC NBS Satellite Continuity Clinic
Best Implementation of Cervical Cancer Screening Services – MHO of San Miguel, Catanduanes
Best Implementation of the Lifestyle Related Diseases and Risk Factors Prevention and Control Program – PHO Catanduanes and Virac, Catanduanes
Best Implementer of the NBS Program – EBMC for Public Provincial Hospital Category A: NBS Facility
Best Institutionalized Mental Health and Drug-Free Workplace with Wellness Program Services for Employees – Virac LGU
Best LGU National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) Implementer, Municipal Level – San Miguel LGU)
Best School-Based Immunization Implementer – Provincial Health Office of Catanduanes and MHO Panganiban, Schools Division Office of Catanduanes
DRRM in Health Institutionalization Award – the province of Catanduanes and the towns of Pandan, San Miguel, Bato, Panganiban, Virac, Bagamanoc, Viga and Gigmoto.
Health Iskwela Outstanding Healthy Learning Institution, Healthy School Best Practice Award – Dugui San Isidro Integrated School, Virac
Health Iskwela Outstanding Healthy Learning Institution Last Mile HLI Champion – Palumbanes Integrated School, Caramoran LGU
Municipal Wide Certified Zero Open Defecation, Municipal Level – Panganiban
PULSE (Pursuing Unparalleled Laboratory Standards and Excellence) Awards Provincial Health Laboratory Network – Province of Catanduanes
Recognition for LGU on the Absorption of HRH – Silver Award for Exemplary Efforts on Absorption of HRH -Virac
Sinag Award – Blood Service Facility – Philippine Red Cross Catanduanes Chapter
Special Award; Heart Health Champion Award for Outstanding Implementation of MMM25 (May Measyre Month) Campaign – Bagamanoc, Bato, Baras, and Panganiban
Top Performing National Eye Health Program Implementation – PHO Catanduanes