Public Health and Local Governance Take Center Stage in Launch of CHG Awards 2017

Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, in partnership with Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Philippines, and the Jesse Robredo Foundation, launched the Champions of Health Governance Awards (CHG) for 2017.

Supported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Health (DOH), the CHG awards encourages local government units (LGUs) with outstanding public health programs to take part in the initiative.

The awards aim to uphold the United Nations’ third Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages and the DOH Philippine Health Agenda framework of “All for Health towards Health for All”, which is to achieve universal health care for
all Filipinos.

“The heart of governance is in our local governments, because they are the ones who get to interact with citizens every day. It is day-to-day governance that leaves an impression on citizens, and for this reason we want to showcase the success stories that are borne out of this
reality. Through the CHG Awards, we acknowledge the leaders who have made an impact in their communities, particularly in public health”, stated Vice Mayor Amelia Hernandez, Executive Director of Kaya Natin.

Past winners include the towns and cities of: Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Jimenez, Misamis Occidental; and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. These LGUs were recognized for their concerted efforts to ease access of health services to
infants and mothers, indigenous peoples, and communities in remote areas.

One of last year’s winners, Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte was present during the launch, sharing his experience in spearheading the Sea Ambulance program, an innovation that helped transport patients from isolated islands to the nearest rural health unit.
Other distinguished guests include Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and DILG Assistant Secretary Josefina Castilla-Go.

“Taking people out of poverty is a formidable task, but one of the concrete ways to make this happen is to make their health a priority. In my experience, I have seen that when you improve the health of mothers and children you also strengthen the family and eventually, the
community. We must also recognize that local governments play a huge role in fulfilling this goal. On another note, I am glad that this partnership keeps the spirit of Jesse Robredo alive, which is in recognizing leaders who bring value to the challenging yet fulfilling work of
government,” Vice-President Robredo said

This sentiment is supported by the DILG, with Assistant Secretary Castilla-Go delivering the message on behalf of Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero, underlining the importance of equipping and empowering LGUs to effectively deliver basic services to the people.

“The DILG deems it important to recognize outstanding local governments that have placed a premium on the health of their constituents, as evidenced by the skills and capacities that they have developed and the accountability they have to the people they serve,” said Assistant
Secretary Castilla-Go.

Interested LGUs are asked to submit a portfolio describing the rationale and impact of the health programs in their respective communities. Distinguished panel of judges will then evaluate and review the submissions through a set of criteria mainly focused on effectiveness and innovation of LGUs in implementing these programs. These include an on-site evaluation and a panel presentation and interview with local leaders. The chosen top five LGUs will receive a trophy and cash prize of Php100,000 each, granted by MSD.

“We look forward to receiving the entries and hearing how LGUs made specific steps to increase people’s access to healthcare. MSD’s continued partnership with Kaya Natin toughens our resolve in seeking out solutions and introducing innovations that will improve the health of every Filipino,” stated Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President and Managing Director of MSD. LGUs can submit their entries as early as November 2016 up to January 31, 2017.

The awarding ceremonies will be on May 2017.