LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – In recognition of the health workers in Benguet, the long-month celebration of Adivay Festival celebrates the SHAYAW or Stellar Health Achievements Yearly Awards 2024 on November 26, held at Benguet Sports Complex, Wangal, La Trinidad.
SHAYAW is an annual event that began in 2018 to celebrate the Benguet Health Summit, a platform for showcasing best practices and achievements in the health sector.
The celebration honors the spirit of service and acknowledges health workers for their dedication to providing accessible and equitable healthcare services to the citizens of Benguet.
According to Dr. Meliarazon F. Dulay, the word SHAYAW comes from the Ibaloi language, meaning “to give praise.” In her speech, she expressed deep appreciation for the health workers and attendees, saying, “Madayaw tayu amin.”
The event highlighted the hardworking individuals and organizations who put much effort towards achieving a healthier Benguet.
The ceremony began with an opening message from Hon. Ericson L. Felipe, represented by Sir Freddie Guisdan. In his speech, he highlighted that an award and recognition program like SHAYAW is a way to honor health workers’ achievements, contributions, and excellence.
He then stated, ‘We honor them today for their dedication, hard work, and innovative spirit, which inspire us all.”
Moreover, due to the long hours of the program, the Baguio Central University Chamber Choir and the Provincial Health Office Band presented an intermission performance, showcasing their vocal talents and adding entertainment to the audience.
Father of Benguet, Provincial Governor Hon. Melchor Diclas, also delivered a message emphasizing the importance of unity among the municipalities, provinces, and barangays in Benguet.
Diclas discusses the development of district hospitals; he mentioned the ongoing expansion of building a dialysis center, hoping that next year, all the centers or units will be operating in Benguet municipality.
Moreover, a key point in his message was the integration of all Municipal RHUs (Rural Health Units) across Benguet, which is said to be chosen as a pilot project for Universal Health Care because of the cooperation seen at each health provider. Wherein, as part of this initiative (pilot project), a meeting will be held in the coming days between municipal officials and PhilHealth to discuss the proper distribution of funds and expenses from PhilHealth.
SHAYAW recognizes exceptional work, top-performing staff, and health partners whose joint endeavors have significantly impacted health outcomes throughout the province.
The awards for Local Government Units (LGUs), Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs), and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) were determined through the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) on nutrition.
As such, Dr. Andrew Chamson M. Bacuso explained that the minor awards represent monumental achievements in specialized fields and programs that are the backbone of the resilience and thriving health system.
The awards given are divided into minor awards and major awards.
For minor awards that received plaque, certificate of recognition and cash prizes. Itogon is awarded for Municipal Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit; Dennis Molintas District Hospital for Hospital Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit; Itogon for Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health; Benguet General Hospital for Hospital Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health; Tublay for Outstanding Municipal Health Promotion Activities; NBDH for Outstanding Hospital Health Promotion Activities Sablan for Outstanding Municipal of Field Health Services Information System; Tuba for Outstanding Program Implementers on Communicable Diseases; Sablan for Outstanding Program Implementers on Non-communicable Diseases; Tuba for Programs on Family Health; Sablan for Outstanding Program Implementers on Population and Development; Tublay for Outstanding Program Implementers on Mental Health; Bakun for Oral Health Program; Tuba for Outstanding Program Implementers on Family Planning in the LGU; and Atok District Hospital for Outstanding Program Implementers on Family Planning in the Hospital.
Major awards likewise receive a plaque, certificate of recognition, and cash prizes. These awardees were called to receive an award up on stage.
The mentioned awards are the recognitions for excellence in health service delivery. Thus, these health workers are Florence F. Cobcobo (BeGh), Samson S. Fermin (ADH), and Albert B. Kis-ing (La Trinidad (RHU) for being acknowledged as the Outstanding Administrative Officer.
Geraldine P. Cayat (Banengbeng, Sablan) received the Provincial Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar, while the finalist under the category are Feb Q. Tumbaga (Abiang, Atok), Mila D. Atonen (Poblacion, Bakun), Penciana S. Ferrer (Baculongan Norte, Buguias), Mary Anne E. Padaco (Tuding, Itogon), Cheeny S. Juan (Labueg, Kapangan), Dominga V. Bagan (Sagpat, Kibungan), Lynie Z. Banisa (Tadiangan, Tuba), and Jerly A. Sabino (Basil, Tublay).
The Provincial Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar award is given to the top-ranking Barangay Nutrition Scholar who achieves an overall rating of at least 88% or higher. This rating is based on the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of local-level plans for Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
Moreover, Perlita W. Mangili (La Trinidad RHU), Shyrell L. Martes (Itogon RHU), and Conchita P. Bilalay (Tuba RHU) received for being the Outstanding Barangay Health Workers;
Catherine D. Ome (Sablan) was likewise awarded for being the Provincial Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Action Officer. Under the category, the finalists are Aurelia K. Wales (Bokod), Dr. Marie Jorelyn P. (Bahingawan, Itogon), Histerlyn W. Amayag (Kibungan), and Eric D. Aoay (Tublay).
The Provincial Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Action Officer award is given to the highest-rated officer, with a score of 90% or more, based on the evaluation of local plan execution.
Rowe-lyn B. Cayat (Kibungan RHU), Juna B. Amura (Tublay RHU), and Jessica P. Biaddang (La Trinidad RHU) for Outstanding Midwife;
Brigitte M. Sanone (Bokod RHU), Ailyn Jam M. Dela Cruz (BeGH), and Jacqueline Josefa Buena-Gacula (Mankayan) for Outstanding Allied Medical Personnel;
Jennifer F. Guadaña (BeGH), Mary Ann Tasing (KDH), and Lalyn Sinas (DMDH) for Outstanding Bedside Care Nurse;
Ivy C. Bacasen-Pasigon (Kibungan RHU), Justene J. Aquisio (Itogon RHU), and Catherine C. Daupan-Ome (Sablan RHU) for Outstanding Public Health Nurse.
On the other hand, Tublay and Kapangan have received the Quality Nutrition Program award. This recognition is given to LGUs that have received the Nutrition Honor Award and continue to run a strong nutrition program, meeting nutrition standards in the MELLPI Pro with satisfactory results.
Their performance rating is not lower than 60% per dimension and an overall rating of 85% and above.
Thus, Atok, Bakun, Bokod, Itogon, Kibungan, La Trinidad, and Sablan have also received the Green Banner Seal of Compliance, these are the LGUs that score 85% or higher in the MELLPI Pro, with no dimension scoring below 60%.
Additionally, special awards were given in recognition of LGUs that achieved significant progress in addressing stunting, with certificates of commendation presented to the following:
LGUs with a stunting prevalence rate below 10% among children aged 0-59 months (based on the 2023 Operation Timbang Plus results) are Atok, Bakun, Bokod, Buguias, Itogon, Kabayan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
LGUs with a consistent reduction in stunting prevalence among children aged 0-59 from 2021 to 2023 (as reflected in the Operation Timbang Plus results) are Atok, Bakun, Kapangan, Kibungan, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Tuba.
At the end of the program, Hon. Marie Rose T. Fongwan Kepes also delivered a message. According to her, the continuation of such programs (SHAYAW) helps inspire many and promotes an ongoing development to the health sectors. She further emphasized that it is important to celebrate and acknowledge all the health workers who provide services in Benguet from the 13 municipalities.
Hence, the SHAYAW 2024 celebration acknowledges the contributions and efforts of individuals, health partners, and healthcare institutions within the community in achieving a healthier Benguet. By Rachelle Quilling
