Davao City, Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte win DOH-Davao platinum health awards
The three local governments were each recognised for six or more health program achievements at the Department of Health-Davao's Pasidungog 2026 ceremony.
Davao City and the provinces of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte received platinum awards from the Department of Health-Davao (DOH-Davao) during its Pasidungog 2026 recognition rites, held in Davao City on November 6, 2026, according to SunStar. The platinum distinction goes to local government units (LGUs) that earn at least six awards across the department's health programs.
The City Government of Davao was cited for exemplary performance in its schistosomiasis control and elimination program for 2025 and for outstanding achievement in tuberculosis (TB) case finding. It was also recognised for a Level II Adolescent Friendly Health Facility and as a Mother Baby Friendly Workplace or Public Place. The city received cash grants for documenting good practices in health (P30,000), a functional Field Health Services Information System (P50,000) and a functional Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (P50,000).
Davao del Norte's awards covered TB programs, including TB DOTS certification, TB preventive treatment and the use of WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests, as well as the lowest prevalence of stunting among children aged five. Davao de Oro was honoured for its integrated TB information system, its maternal and perinatal death surveillance committee, and as an outstanding Universal Health Care integration site, which came with a P300,000 grant.
Gold awards, given to those with four to five recognitions, went to the municipality of Magsaysay in Davao del Sur, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, and the province of Davao Oriental.
Separate LGU Health Scorecard awards, based on DOH's annual tool for assessing how local health systems carry out programs under the Universal Health Care Act, came with cash grants. Tagum City received P200,000, Nabunturan P150,000, Banaybanay P100,000, and Sulop and New Bataan P50,000 each.
DOH-Davao officer-in-charge regional director Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo credited health workers, partners and local leaders for their work during disasters and calamities in the region. "Our health workers did not simply wait for circumstances to improve. They rallied behind the people," she said, adding that the gains were made possible through partnerships with local officials, health offices, barangay health workers, hospitals and civil society groups.
Why it matters for Davao
The awards indicate that Davao City's health office met DOH standards in areas such as TB detection, disease surveillance and adolescent and maternal-friendly services, and the city received cash grants tied to several of these recognitions.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by SunStar. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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