The Healthy Setting Enablers Recognition is an official health promotion award spearheaded by the DOH, wherein local government units, public offices, and academic institutions are recognized for their successful implementation of wellness-driven policies.
Among the awards received by the CHO is the Healthy Settings Excellence Award, which recognizes the city’s outstanding overall implementation of health and wellness policies across the healthy settings framework.
The city also received the Healthy Community Award for demonstrating compliance with established healthy community standards, anchoring initiatives of the Universal Healthcare Act to create a supportive, health-promoting environment.
Dr. Margie R. Rubio, Head of the CHO, said that the Healthy Community Award was borne from localized multi-sectoral programs that meet Dabawenyos where they live, work, and study.
She also gave credit to the discipline exercised by every Dabawenyo for abiding by the policies and ordinances of the city that are anchored on ensuring the well-being of every resident of Davao.
“Mao g’yud ni siya ang magpamatuod nga mao ni siya ang impact sa atoang pagka disiplinado kay naa ta’y mga nindot kaayo nga mga balaod, ordinances nga approved nga maging epektibo with the participation g’yud sa mata’g individual nga resident sa Davao (This is a testament of the effects of the discipline of every Dabawenyo because we have good policies and ordinances in place, and these ordinances are effective through the participation of every resident of the city),” Rubio emphasized.
She further highlighted the intersectoral collaboration across various government offices in the implementation of health programs including the effective and efficient enforcement of the city’s comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance and liquor ban through the joint effort of the Vices Regulations Unit (VRU) and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO). This also included the City Transport and Traffic Management Office’s strict implementation of traffic rules and regulations as well as the Dabawenyos’ cooperation in following the allowable speed limits which significantly contributed to road safety and in decreasing cases of vehicular accidents.
Rubio also extended her gratitude to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, especially to sanitary workers, who ensured that the city remains clean and safe for Dabawenyos.
“These awards belong to the entire Davao City. It is a direct result of strong executive leadership of our city local chief executive, Hon. Sebastian Duterte. This is also through the full support of our city legislative body in making policies to ensure the safety and health of Dabawenyos. The dedication of our CHO team, the active participation of our Dabawenyo families, school leaders, and workforce,” she said.
In addition to these two awards are the Healthy Workplace Award, which recognizes the city government’s implementation of the national policy framework on the promotion of a healthy workplace that prioritizes workers’ health, safety, psychosocial environment and well-being.
Academic institutions, particularly public schools, across the city also received the Healthy Learning Institution Awards under the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd. This is for integrating health literacy, physical activity, proper nutrition, and prevention of smoking and alcohol consumption into school curricula and environments.
“Kani siya nga programa sa DepEd, makanunayon ni siya namo nga ginabuhat because we integrate age-appropriate health literacy, school-based immunization, proper nutrition, dental health, anti-smoking and substance abuse campaigns in our schools, ensuring every young learner thrives in a classroom setting (With this DepEd program, we make sure that we consistently integrate age-appropriate health literacy, school-based immunization, proper nutrition, dental health, anti-smoking substance abuse campaigns in our schools, ensuring every young learner thrives in a school setting),” Rubio said.
“These awards validate that Davao City is leading the way as an exemplar universal healthcare integration site. They show that our local government unit is not just treating illnesses but actively creating an environment that prevents disease and protects health. This directly aligns with our vision of a sustainable, resilient Davao City. When our workers are safe in their offices, our children are protected in their classrooms, our families are supported in clean safe barangays, we build a healthier, more productive city, capable of sustaining long term economic growth and community well-being,” she added. CIO