After placing in the Top 10 last year, Passi City emerged as the Champion of this year's Health Excellence and Leadership (HEAL) Awards held at Grand Xing Imperial Hotel today.
Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares said the award is the result of teamwork among the local government, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the City Health Office. He stressed that working together is not only about winning awards but, more importantly, about giving better health services to the people.
"Builigay gid. The Local Government Unit, the Chief Executive, the Sanggunian, kag ang aton nga mga empleyado sa Health Office. In that way, we could and we can and we will deliver the best and quality health services to our respective constituents," Palmares said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Socorro C. Quiñon said the HEAL Awards recognizes local government units in Iloilo for their commitment and contributions in improving health services in their communities.
"We owe it them, that's why we give back, that's why we celebrate their wins, we celebrate their success, and that is why we are having this 4th HEAL Awards because our LGUs, our partners, deserve this recognition," Quiñon said.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, in his message, highlighted the province's "Dual Burden Areas," where data from EDCOM 2 showed the connection between poor child nutrition and low literacy. He challenged local government units and stakeholders to work together in addressing these concerns.
"This is a great challenge of our time. We cannot accept a reality where our classrooms are filled with students who are too malnourished to learn," Banias said.
Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Mar Wynn D. Bello also attended the event and thanked local government units and health workers for their continued support in implementing Universal Health Care in the province.
"Today, we are going to honor all of you, because all of you are winners in fostering health for all the people in Iloilo. Kung wala po kayo, walang mangyayari sa implementasyon ng ating Universal Health Care," Bello said.
Aside from the championship trophy, the top-performing local government units also received cash incentives. Passi City, this year's Champion, received ₱200,000, while Pavia, the 1st Runner-up, received ₱170,000. Carles, the 2nd Runner-up, took home ₱150,000, followed by Batad, the 3rd Runner-up, with ₱120,000, and Concepcion, the 4th Runner-up, with ₱100,000.
The municipalities of Tigbauan (Top 5), Lambunao (Top 6), San Enrique (Top 7), Guimbal (Top 8 ), and Pototan (Top 9) also received ₱50,000 each for their outstanding performance in this year's HEAL Awards.
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