The Balilihan local government unit has been recognized by the Department of Health’s Central Visayas Center for Health Development for promoting a healthy, safe and supportive working environment for health workers and employees.
The Balilihan Primary Care Facility, together with the municipal Human Resource Management Office, received the Healthy Workplace Initiative Award at the 2026 Regional Local Health Systems Awards on Nov. 6, 2026 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City.
Mayor Atty. Esther Patrisha Veloso Chatto announced the recognition in a social media post and congratulated the facility and the HR office.
The plaque cited the facility’s commitment to the Healthy Workplace Initiative and its efforts to create and sustain a safe, health-promoting workplace for its personnel. It also recognized the facility’s work in health promotion, disease prevention and employee well-being.
Dr. Joshua G. Brillantes, director of the DOH Central Visayas office, signed the plaque.
The Healthy Workplace Initiative is a government program that aims to make workplaces supportive of physical, mental and social well-being.
The Central Visayas Regional Development Report 2024 listed it among the region’s health promotion programs and said the DOH regional office had earlier held orientations for regional offices, provincial health offices, municipalities, cities and private establishments, whose participating workplaces committed to carry it out.
The award comes as the DOH Central Visayas office continues to help local governments strengthen their health systems under the Universal Health Care framework.
In May, the Philippine Information Agency reported that the office was helping local governments assess their systems through a monitoring framework covering leadership and governance, service delivery, health financing, human resources for health and health information systems.
The Nov. 6 ceremony carried the theme “Advancing Universal Health Care through UNA Para sa Kalusugan: Stronger Health Systems, Healthier Communities, A Healthier Philippines by 2040.” Health sector partners and stakeholders gathered to recognize contributions to stronger local health systems across Central Visayas.
Other local governments also received awards. Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City won multiple awards for their health programs, including their own Healthy Workplace Initiative efforts.