ORMOC CITY – This city is once again a “hall of famer”, after the Department of Health Eastern Visayas (DOH-EV) recognized its commitment to making Ormoc 100% smoke-free, bestowing upon the city government of Ormoc the “Hall of Fame” award for “implementing a 100% smoke-free environment” during the department’s Regional Awarding of Health Achievers last September 15, 2022 at the Oriental Hotel.

Accordingly, the awarding ceremony aims to recognize the contributions and hard work of local executives for the region’s health sector during the past year. Under the theme, “Boses han Paglaum: Amplifying the Voices of Our Health Champions”, the said event was attended by governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, and representatives of all the provincial, city, and municipal local government units across Eastern Visayas along with the Provincial, City, and Muncipal Health Officers, and the Development Management Officers of the Provincial DOH Offices who traveled all the way from the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and Leyte.

The event was spearheaded by Assistant Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz, and in behalf of Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino, the DOH-EV awarded our local executives for meeting their COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage targets and expressed recognition for the limitless dedication and sacrifices that they have made for the health of their localities. Finally, aside from celebrating the region’s success against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Awarding of Health Achievers also celebrated 13 new recognized Zero Open Defecation Municipalities, two (2) new municipalities with Established and Active Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committees, one (1) Gold Awardee for the Category of Bacteriologically Confirmed Treatment Enrolment, three (3) Red Orchid Awardees with two (2) Red Orchid Hall of Fame Awardees, and numerous awardees for the Category of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment Rates. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail September 12-18, 2022 issue)