𝟭𝟯 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗗 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗡-𝗔𝗧 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM

Ensuring best health programs and services to the community, the City Health Office of Candon, under the leadership Dr. Joy Villanueva and with the strong support of the City Government of Candon led by City Mayor Eric D. Singson, garnered 13 prestigious awards (plaques of recognition) during the 3rd Gawad Salun-at Ilocos Sur Pammadayaw 2025, held on December 16 at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center which was also graced by the former City Mayor and now Provincial Board Member Dr. Ericson Singson.

The awards are as follows:

Best Performing Environmental Health Unit

Outstanding Sanitation Inspector of the Year 2024- Ms. Angie Rubang (Sanitation Inspector V)

Healthy Living Advocate Award (1st Place)

Best Health Program Implementer (FHSIS)- 2nd Place

HIV/AIDS Prevention Vanguard Award

HIV Testing and Counseling Excellence Award

Family Health Services Advancement Award, 3rd Place

Leprosy Elimination Excellence (3rd Place)

Outstanding City Barangay Nutrition Scholar – Ms Erlinda Galuz, BNS-Patpata 1st

The City Health Office was likewise recognized for maintaining a consistent reduction in combined stunted and severely stunted children and combined overweight and obese cases from 2023–2025, for maintaining a consistent reduction in combined overweight and obese from 2023-25 based on OPT+ results, and for attaining 81.28% coverage in Operation Timbang Plus 2025.

Individual excellence was also highlighted as Dr. Joy Villanueva received recognition for her exemplary contributions to the Provincial Health Board. She was joined by the honorees, Ms Angie Rubang, Ms Erlinda Galuz, and the City Nutrition Action Officer Brando Castro, reflecting the collaborative efforts behind Candon City’s continued achievements in public health and nutrition.