DOH marks 118th anniversary, cites health advocates

MANILA, Philippines - As part of its 118th anniversary celebration, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday gave the Bayani ng Kalusugan (Heroes of Health) Award to individuals and groups who have championed health issues.

President Aquino handed out the awards in a ceremony held at the Manila Hotel. 

“In reality, the DOH only plays a small role. All of our plans will be nothing without you as implementers. All of our policies will be nothing without you walking the talk. All of the funding will be nothing if the programs are not sustained by the front liners,” said Health Secretary Janette Garin.

She noted that the success of the DOH “deeply lies in the commitment, professionalism and responsiveness of individuals and organizations that have supported the department through the years.”

The awards were the first of its kind to recognize the “selfless contributions of those who have aligned with the agency’s crusade in promoting universal health care.”  

The  individual awardees are Rickson Balalilio, municipal health officer in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte; former DOH secretary Esperanza Cabral; Virginia Cadano, a midwife from Mindanao; Edwin Candido, tuberculosis treatment volunteer from Calabarzon; Agnes Centino, assistant city health officer from Misamis Oriental; Eloisa David, nun and nurse from the Visayas; Penelope Domogo, provincial health officer from Mountain Province; Egmidio Elio, a private doctor from the Visayas; Eva Fidela Maamo, nun and doctor from the National Capital Region (NCR); Panciano Madlay, barangay health worker (BHW) from Luzon; Irenea Ordinario, BHW from the Visayas; Concepcion Petalino, BHW from the Visayas; Melchor Petracorta, outgoing mayor and incoming vice mayor of Limasawa, Southern Leyte; former DOH secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan; Rosalinda Tanguamos, midwife and BHW from Mindanao.

The groups that were awarded were the Community Based Health Program of the Diocese of Ipil in Mindanao; Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc. from Mindanao; Marikina City Health Office; Philippine Accessible Deaf Services Inc. from the Visayas; and Ugnayan ng Pahinungod from NCR.

The 20 awardees were chosen from 323 nominations received by the DOH, whose screening committee came up with 44 shortlisted nominees.    – With Delon Porcalla