DOH awards 2 Iloilo businesses as healthy workplace

THE Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Iloilo City has awarded two business enterprises here as Healthy Places regional winners in the highly urbanized city category. 

The private businesses are the Tagbak Bus Terminal in Jaro district, Iloilo that was recognized as Healthy Bus Station in Western Visayas, and the Philippine Foremost Milling Corp. in Lapuz district, Iloilo City that was recognized as Healthy Workplace in the region.

In an awarding ceremony held Thursday, March 14, at Punta Villa Resort, the health department also awarded new born screening implementers, stakeholders and partners for their efforts and cooperation in the making the programs successful.

DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubian keynoted the awards program that gives recognition to healthy bus station, eating place, hospital, market and workplace.

The awards also gave recognition to barangays with the best sanitation practices, expanded program on immunization, oral health program and outstanding implemeters of newborn screening program. 

The other winner in the HUC category was Aboy's Restaurant in Bacolod City that was recognized as Healthy Eating Place in the region. 

In the provincial category, the winners are Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental as Healthy Hospital; Miag-ao Public Market in the municipality of Miag-ao, Iloilo as Healthy Market; and Distileria Bago Inc. in Bago City, Negros Occidental as Healthy Workplace.  

Barangay Agdayao in Passi City, Iloilo province and Barangay Jagnaya in Jamindan, Capiz won as the Barangays with Best Sanitation Practices, while the Philippine Red Cross Bacolod City Chapter and Philippine Red Cross Iloilo chapter won with Expanded Program on Immunization Partners. 

Winners in the Oral Health Program are the municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo as Orally Fit Community, Barangay Bita-og Gaja Day Care Center in New Lucena as Orally Fit Day Care Center, and Dr. Daisheila Valasote as Orally Fit Health Worker. 

The awardees for exemplary performance in newborn screening are seven hospitals in Aklan; five hospitals in Antique; five hospitals and six RHUs, city health office and one barangay health station in the province of Capiz; six tertiary hospitals based in Iloilo City, 12 district hospitals, one sanitarium and three RHUs in the province of Iloilo; 15 district hospitals, one provincial hospital, one medical center, six city health offices and four RHUs in Negros Occidental. 

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City garnered a special award in newborn screening. (Lydia C. Pendon)