Healthiest places in Mt. Province bared

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Barangay Chupac of Barlig, Banawel Elementary School of Natonin, and Namatec National High School of Sabangan are the healthiest places in the province and were recognized during the Mountain Province founding anniversary last week.

Kalinga Representative Allen Jessie Mangaoang, the concurrent Caretaker congressman of Mountain Province, and provincial officials led by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. awarded certificate of recognition to the healthiest barangay, elementary school and secondary school winners.

In the barangay level, Barangay Bagnen Oriente in Bauko ranked second and Barangay Namatec in Sabangan was third. For elementary school, Sacasacan ES

in Sadanga was second and third was a tie for Leseb ES in Bauko and Canabo ES in Paracelis. In the secondary level, second place was Otucan-Bila National High School in Bauko and Kadaclan NHS in Barlig and Butigue NHS in Paracelis tied for third place.

Initiated by the provincial government through the Provincial Coalition on Healthy Lifestyle and Provincial Nutrition Council, the Search for the Healthiest Places is a major strategy in promoting health and wellness in the province including the preservation of its rich traditions and precious environment.

There are three categories in the search - elementary school, secondary school and barangay. These are assessed on criteria such as health governance and budget, wellness program, food safety and security, protection and preservation of the environment including water sources and zero waste management, health status of the people or students including absence of gender violence, and best practices.

All municipal entries are validated by the intersectoral provincial board of judges chaired by Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Penelope A. Domogo.

In the conduct of the provincial search, the board of judges discovered a lot of wonderful things happening in the province because of committed, dedicated champions for health and wellness – the barangay officials, teachers and health workers, Domogo shared. Juliet Saley