Malaybalay City’s Health Office recently organized a convocation program with a summer theme to promote good mental health and overall well-being. The event conducted on June 19, 2023, highlighted the importance of universal healthcare in the delivery of quality health services for all residents.
Dr. Dennis Sangalang, City Health Officer II, delivered the welcome remarks and acknowledged the representative of the guest speaker, Dr. Raymond Dela Cruz, Chief Regulatory and Licensing Enforcement Division, who attended on behalf of Dr. Jose R. Lacuna, the DOH-X Regional Director, who was unable to attend due to an equally significant engagement at the national office.
The program’s theme, “Universal Health Care: Journey Toward Accessing Quality Medical Services, Protecting Everyone Leaving No One Behind,” emphasized the people-oriented approach to healthcare and the importance of placing the community at the center of health services.
Dr. Sangalang also encouraged employees to register for PhilHealth Konsulta, a program aimed at providing inclusive and equitable healthcare benefits to all PhilHealth members and their dependents.
During his message, Dr. Raymond Dela Cruz, representing Dr. Lacuna, discussed the direction set by the “Healthy Pilipinas Bawat Buhay ay Mahalaga” (Every Life is Valuable) campaign, which aligns with the Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223). He emphasized the importance of licensing health facilities and developing super health centers, with recipient LGUs responsible for licensing the facilities, including ambulance service providers.
City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran congratulated the City Health Office for organizing the program at the City Hall Park Lot, a larger venue that could accommodate more participants compared to the usual People’s Hall. The mayor urged employees to be agents of the City government, ensuring that constituents are well-informed and knowledgeable about the various programs, projects, and activities offered.
Mayor Pabillaran highlighted his involvement in studying the impact of social determinants of health that runs for one year and a half. He emphasized the significance of socio-economic factors, the physical environment, and health behaviors in determining overall health outcomes. The mayor stressed the importance of transparency in sharing knowledge about universal health care and also to the city government’s programs to the public.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Susan Punongbayan expressed the need for everyone to work together and thanked God for the privilege of serving the people of Malaybalay.
The convocation program served as a platform to raise awareness about universal health care, as well as the city government’s commitment to providing quality medical services to all residents.