BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office yesterday honored local governments of Negros Occidental which sowed exemplary performance in Environmental Health and Sanitation Services for 2021.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang led the distribution of awards to various LGUs, assisted by Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, held at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The 15 Zero Open Defecation (ZOD)-Declared Barangay Awardees were Brgy. Poblacion I and Brgy. La Granja, la Carlota City; Brgys. 2, 4, 7, and Linao of Kabankalan City; Brgys. 1, 2, and 5 of Sipalay City; Brgys. Panaquiao, Camp Clark, Libas, Bungahin, and Amin of Isabela; and Brgy. Bulwagan of the Hinobaan.
Plaques of recognition were also given to 12 LGUs for supporting the ZOD implementation, namely, the cities of Sipalay, Bago, Sagay, Kabankalan, and La Carlota, and the towns of Hinobaan, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Valladolid, Murcia, San Enrique and Isabela.
Meanwhile, 18 Best Performing Sanitation Officers from the different LGUs were also given certificates of recognition for supporting the ZOD program.
A total of 36 barangays also received Plaques of Recognition for sustaining the ZOD Program. They are Brgys. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, all of Isabela; Brgy. 3, La Carlota; Brgys. Fabrica, Poblacion 1, and Tadlong, Sagay City; Brgys. Doldol and Bayabas, Valladolid; Brgys. 1, 2, Pook, Daug, San Rafael, and Talacagay, Hinobaan; Brgy. Zone 2 and Brgy. 3, Murcia; Brgys. 3, 5, 8, and 9, Kabankalan City; Brgys. Zamora and Mabini, Pontevedra; Brgy. Bagroy, Bago; Brgys. 1, 2, 3, E.B. Magalona; and Brgys. Sibucao, Baliwagan, Tibsoc, Tabao Baybay, and Tabao Rizal, all of San Enrique.
The PHO continues to promote ZOD to the 601 barangays of the province in line with the Dept. of Health’s aim to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and an end to open defecation, a statement from the provincial government PIO office said.*
