LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN — Pangasinan was named a ‘national health champion’ for its exemplary accomplishments in maintaining and promoting efficient, safe and healthy communities.
The province was one of the three local government units named by the Department of Health as “Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa mga Komunidad”. The other ‘Kampeons’ are Davao de Oro and Pasay City.
Gov. Ramon Guico III received the award in a simple ceremony last Monday, February 10, at the Urduja House from Dir. Dominic Maddumba, OlC-Director ll of the Health Promotion Bureau, and DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco.
The Healthy Communities award 2024 (Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa Komunidad) aimed to recognize outstanding community-led efforts that improve public health and wellness.
It highlights LGUs that successfully implement sustainable programs promoting health and well-being while also improving the quality of life in their communities as it rests on two main pillars—health promoting environment [physical, social, political and economic qualities], and responsive local health system.
“Our responsibility as public servants is to pursue the balance of hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure which includes education, healthcare, social services, and moral infrastructure. That is what we are doing in Pangasinan. That is why our vision is “Pangasinan, Ang Galing!” This [award] is already an affirmation that in less than three years, we have done so much,” Gov. Guico said.
Expressing elation over the award, the governor said that public service is his main agenda in running into public office. “Alam nyo itong ginagawa po natin, somehow is a summary and culmination of my almost 18 years in public office,” he stated.
Putting emphasis on genuine public service as his priority, Gov. Guico said the most valuable things in implementing a project is not just hard infrastructure [roads and bridges] but social, moral, health and educational infrastructures as well.
“There’s also what you call social infrastructure, the moral infrastructure, the health infrastructure, and educational infrastructure,” he added.
It can be recalled that health remains on top of the present administration’s program thrust. Since assuming office in July 2022, Gov. Guico spearheaded the modernization of the 14 government hospitals in the province and the launching of Guiconsulta, a pro-poor project.
“Hindi lang puro waiting shed, hindi lang puro semento. Hindi lang yan puro monoblocks. Alam nyo pag naramdaman nyo at magkasakit kayo, how you wish, meron tayong gobyernong sasalo sa atin pagdating sa ating medical needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DoH lauded the province for its achievements in prioritizing health.
“Nakita ko po sa best practices ng Pangasinan, meron pong nabanggit na Capitol Redevelopment Project. Nakita ko na dito naka-focus sa open spaces, active transport, at road safety,” Maddumba said.
RD Sydiongco, on the other hand, commended the provincial government to include the provincial board as well as the municipal counterparts for passing local ordinances that support behavioral change for better health outcomes. Pangasinan bagged the award based on the following criteria: Potable Water and Food Security; Open Spaces, Active Transport Road Safety; Housing and Shelter; Efficient and quality essential health services; Accessible and Quality Education; Clean and Sustainable Environments; Income and Support; Health services accessible to all members of the community; Cultural Heritage; Tobacco- and Vape-, Alcohol-, Drug-Free Safe; Violence free and Inclusive; and, Equitable health financing.
Witnessing the ceremony were Vice Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) chair Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, SP Member Shiela F. Baniqued, various department heads and chiefs of hospitals. (Ruby F. Rayat, JP De Vera/PIMRO)
