By Mariela Angella Oladive
The municipality of Mina earned the top spot in the 2024 Health Excellence and Leadership (HEAL) Awards for its outstanding implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC), receiving a plaque and a PHP200,000 cash prize during the ceremony on Dec. 6 at the Iloilo Convention Center.
Batad, Passi City, Tubungan, and Concepcion were named runners-up, receiving cash prizes of PHP175,000, PHP150,000, PHP125,000, and PHP100,000, respectively.
Special citations were also awarded to Pototan, Balasan, Tigbauan, Dueñas, and Barotac Viejo, with each municipality receiving a plaque and PHP40,000.
Organized by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the HEAL Awards honored the contributions of local government units (LGUs), development partners, and health workers in improving health service delivery throughout the province.
The event, themed “MoRProGRes Iloilo para sa Kalusugan at Kaunlaran Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” highlighted the province’s commitment to achieving UHC and fostering inclusive growth.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., represented by Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, emphasized the provincial government’s development mantra, MoRProGRes Iloilo, which stands for Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Iloilo.
“While challenges remain, we are steadfastly moving in the right direction toward realizing our vision—a Globally Competitive Iloilo Province-Wide Health System for a Healthy Community by 2025,” Defensor stated.
He also underscored the importance of collaboration in improving health care access for Iloilo’s residents.
“It is through our partnership and collaboration that we bridge the gap and amplify our impact,” Defensor said, acknowledging stakeholders for ensuring the province’s health programs reached even its most remote areas.
The ceremony also recognized barangay health workers, retirees, and health system support units for their crucial roles in Iloilo’s health sector. More than 30 retired health workers from various municipalities and district hospitals were honored for decades of dedicated service.
Key figures leading the ceremony included Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, Department of Health Undersecretary and UHC-Health Service Cluster Area III Head for the Visayas; Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, Provincial Legal Officer representing Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; Dr. Mary Ann Sta. Lucia, Department of Health VI Local Health Support Division Chief; Board Member June Mondejar; Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, Provincial Health Office Chief; and Provincial Health Officers I, Dr. Wendel T. Marcelo and Dr. Rodney Labis.
