Kaya Natin, MSD open search for LGUs with best public health programs

Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, in partnership with Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Philippines and the Jesse Robredo Foundation, is now accepting applications from local government units (LGUs) with outstanding public health initiatives for the 2017 Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards.

In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on Health and the Department of Health (DOH) framework to achieve universal health care for all Filipinos, the CHG Awards gives recognition to LGUs that have implemented effective and innovative health programs. The chosen top five LGUs will receive a trophy and cash prize of Php100,000.00 each, granted by MSD.

“The CHG Awards is one of the ways in which we showcase the success stories of LGUs that have made an impact in their communities, particularly in public health. In the spirit of Kaya Natin, we want to acknowledge local leaders who uphold transparent and accountable governance through their programs,” Vice Mayor Amelia Hernandez, Executive Director of Kaya Natin said.

The call for entries opened last November 24, 2016 with a launch at the Office of the Vice President. Vice President Leni Robredo gave the keynote message, which centered on how local governments play a huge role in providing people’s needs at the grassroots level. She says if these are achieved, then it will show tangible results in taking people out of poverty.

Aside from DOH, the awards are also supported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In the launch, Assistant Secretary Josefina Castilla-Go gave a message on the importance of equipping and empowering LGUs to deliver basic services to the people.

The awards will evaluate LGUs according to a set of criteria based on on good governance and public health governance. The criteria are as follows:

Good Governance (30%)
– Local Leadership (15%)
– Transparency and Accountability (15%)

Public Health Governance (70%)
– Effectiveness of Health Programs (20%)
– Innovativeness of Health Programs (20%)
– Health Resource Management (15%)
– Community Engagement in Health (15%)

Guided by a series of questions on the criteria, interested LGUs are asked to submit a portfolio describing the rationale and impact of the health programs in their respective communities. These questions allow them to describe the impact of local leadership, their responsiveness to the needs of the community, and the outputs and outcomes of their health programs.

A distinguished panel of judges will then evaluate and review the submissions which include an on-site evaluation and a panel presentation and interview with local leaders. LGUs can submit their entries until January 31, 2017. The awarding ceremonies will be on May 2017.

“We look forward to receiving the entries and hearing how LGUs made specific steps to increase people’s access to healthcare. MSD’s continued partnership with Kaya Natin toughens our resolve in seeking out solutions and introducing innovations that will improve the health of every Filipino,” stated Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President and Managing Director of MSD.