The Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development led by Regional Director Dr. Corazon I. Flores, together with Assistant Regional Director Lailani P. Mangulabnan, successfully conducted the 2024 Regional Healthy Learning Institutions (HLI) Awards for Basic Education Institutions on August 23, 2024, at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone.
The event brought together key stakeholders from various sectors dedicated to enhancing health and education in schools. Attendees included DepEd School Division Offices, Public School District Supervisors, School Health Unit Representatives, Provincial DOH Officers, and Provincial Health Officers.
Dr. Corazon Flores, delivered the welcome remarks, while the keynote message was presented by Undersecretary of Health DOH, UHC HSC Area 1, Usec Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire. Dr. Lencio Del Corro, DepEd Regional Office Dentist III, provided a message of support, while Dr. Roberto Luna, Medical Officer III, delivered a message on behalf of DepEd School Division Superintendent of the Province of Bataan, Dr. Carolina S. Violeta, affirming their commitment to health promotion in educational settings.
Subsequently, the ceremony included an awarding segment recognizing outstanding achievements in several categories: Best Practices, Outstanding HLI Champions, Last-Mile School Category, and Healthy School Category. Schools implementing effective healthy setting-based approaches were also acknowledged for their contributions to health promotion.
Expressions of gratitude were shared by Ms. Liza C. Gonzales, Head of Sula Elementary School, who thanked attendees for their belief in their capacity to impact health and education. Ms. Mirasol T. Valencia, Head of Juan Navarro Elementary School, also expressed appreciation acknowledging the continued support and trust that encourages them to pursue their mission. She said “Sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta at pagtitiwala, kami po ay lubos na nahihikayat na magpatuloy sa aming misyon na lumikha ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa aming kabataan.”
In closing, Dr. Maria Eloisa C. Vidar, OIC-Chief of Local Health Support Division highlighted the importance of promoting health to every individuals “This ceremony is a step in delivering higher standards to the health and lives of our learners. This also strengthens our partnership to continue expanding health access to institution. Maipapadama nating ang kalusugan sa bawat indibidwal, bawat pamilya, bawat komunidad at sa buong Pilipinas,” she stated.
