CLARK FREEPORT — The Province of Zambales received the Silver Award in the 2024 Central Luzon Excellence Awards for Health (CLEXAH), which gives recognition to outstanding local government units (LGUs), health facilities, and professionals who excel in delivering public health services and supporting Universal Health Care (UHC).

Zambales placed second to Bulacan Province, which was given the Health Champions Gold Award in a ceremony held on November 24 at the Royce Hotel in the Clark Freeport.

Zambales Provincial Health Officer Dr. Noel C. Bueno, along with Mayors Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, Arvin Antipolo, Ronald Apostol, and La Raine Abad-Sarmiento, accepted the awards on behalf of Zambales and 10 Zambales towns recognized for excellent health programs.

The Zambales LGUs named as Health Champions are Sta. Cruz, which placed Top 5; San Antonio, Top 6; Candelaria, Top 7; Masinloc, Top 8; Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, and San Narciso, all Top 9; and Palauig and Castillejos, Top 10.

The municipality of Candelaria was also recognized at the 2024 CLEXAH under the category of “Good Practices in Health,” which was given for excellence in documentation, implementation of health services, and due diligence in providing medical services to residents.

Before this, Zambales was also recognized in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s Central Luzon Appreciation Partners (PhilHealth CLAP) ceremony held on November 21, for outstanding health advocacy and inclusive healthcare coverage in the province.

Board Member Jun Rundstedt Ebdane received the CLAP award for Zambales in behalf of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. in the awards ceremony in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The municipal governments of Iba and San Antonio were also cited as by PhilHealth as among the “Exemplary Performing LGUs” in the region. Mayor Irenea Maniquiz-Binan and Mayor Arvin Antipolo received the awards for their LGUs, respectively.

Botolan LGU, meanwhile, received the distinction as Health Care Champion for Indigenous People in the said recognition ceremony.

The CLAP Awards were presented by PhilHealth CEO Edwin M. Mercado and PhilHealth Acting Vice President for PRO III Henry V. Almanon. – Taktikom News & Features