The City of Catbalogan is one of the Local Government Units chosen to be the site of the Healthy Cities Initiative, a project of the Department of Health (DOH) as part of its health promotion program.
A Technical Working Group (TWG) headed by City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy attended a 2-day workshop in Tacloban City last June 28 and 29 where they formulated a plan of action according to the criteria set by the DOH.
The TWG is currently chaired by Hon. Herminia S. Cabral with City Health Officer Dr. Senecia Q. Yong as Vice-Chairperson, City Planning Officer Engr. Arnaldo V. Aroza as Facilitator/Coordinator and Human Resource Officer Mr. Percival B. Cuenco as Secretariat.
Other members of the TWG include City Budget Officer Ms. Adelaida C. Lamadrid, City Treasurer Ms. Dolores G. Cayas, City Accountant Ms. Peachy Y. Daguman, City Engineer Mr. Jesus U. Lamadrid, City Veterinarian Dr. Antonio P. Cinco, Dr. Gerarda C. Tizon, City Agriculturist Ms. Ruth Y. Dasal, City Social Welfare Officer Nida R. Aroza, General Services Officer Engr. Rico B. Macabare, ABC City Federation President Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan, Sangguniang Kabataan City Federation President Kristina Cassandra P. Aquino, DOH Representative Ms. Jocelyn Nabong, Catbalogan City Police Chief Ramil Ramirez as PNP Representative and Lucia Erpe from the Philippine Business for Social Progress as NGO Representative.
Catbalogan will be joining under the category "Healthy Barangays". For this purpose, four barangays namely Cabugawan, Payao, Silanga and Socorro were chosen as pilot sites for the project.
As pilot sites, these barangays will serve as focus of all the programs and services that will help meet the criteria set by DOH for the title Healthy Barangay.
The four barangays were chosen as project sites based on the TWG's evaluation that there are already existing health programs in these areas. It will therefore be easier for these areas to attain the status of Healthy Barangay and will have a better chance of clinching this title once the Regional Competition comes.
The DOH has set 14 indicators in selecting places worthy of being proclaimed as a Healthy Barangay. The indicators touched on the areas of health, sanitation, environment, basic services, law enforcement and local governance.
The Technical Working Group is currently in the process of inviting other members. Administrative Order no. 341, entitled "Implementing The Philippine Health Promotion Program Through Healthy Places", which provides the implementing rules and guidelines for the project, states that the TWG should include sectoral representatives from a non-government organization, private/business sector, people's organization, professional group, civic/religious group and the media.