12/08/2025
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐ข๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Department of Health Center for Health Development SOCCSKSARGEN Region, through the Non-Communicable Disease Cluster led by Marifort R. Rafael, Nurse V, together with the Health Promotion Unit by Arjohn Gangoso, HEPO III, conducted the region-wide 2025 Red Orchid Award (ROA) validation on July 7-11, 2025 (Sarangani, General Santos City, South Cotabato), July 14-17, 2025 (Sultan Kudarat), and July 28-August 1, 2025 (Cotabato Province).
The Red Orchid Award recognizes the exemplary initiatives of Local Government Units (LGU), Government Offices, and Government Hospitals in their comprehensive effort to implement the 100% Tobacco-Free Environment using the World Health Organization
MPOWER initiative. MPOWER is an acronym that denotes the six proven measures on to***co control, namely: M โ Monitor to***co use and prevention policies, P โ Protect people from the effects of smoking, O โ Offer help to quit to***co use, W โ Warn about the dangers of to***co, E โ Enforce bans on to***co advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and R โ Raise taxes on to***co.
This year, a total of eighty-six (86) facilities joined the said award: 3 local government units, 7 government hospitals, and 76 government offices. Among the nominees, 18 are vying for the Hall of Fame, 21 are 2nd time, and 47 are 1st time. The validation process includes records review, interview, site visit, and ocular inspection.
The following is the list of the nominees per province/city:
Sarangani/General Santos City: Sarangani Police Provincial Office, 1ST SPMFC Kawas, SOCCSKSARGEN DATRC, MPS Alabel, MPS Malapatan, BJMP Malapatan, MPS Glan, Sarangani Provincial Jail, MPS Malungon, MPS Maasim, MPS Kiamba, MPS Maitum, 2nd SPMFC Kiamba, PRO 12 Tambler, RMDU Camp Lira, CHO General Santos City.
Cotabato Province: Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Cotabato Police Provincial Office, MPS Makilala, Makilala District Jail, North Cotabato District Jail Male and Female Dormitory, Kidapawan City District Jail, Kidapawan City Police Station, LGU Antipas, MPS Antipas, MPS Carmen, MPS Pigcawayan, Pigcawayan District Jail, LGU Midsayap, LGU Kabacan, MPS Kabacan, Kabacan District Jail, MPS Midsayap, 2nd Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (Midsayap), Metro Midsayap Water District, MPS Arakan, MPS President Roxas, MPS Magpet, MPS Libungan, MPS Alamada, MPS Matalam, MPS Mlang, MPS Tulunan, MPS Banisilan, MPS Pikit, MPS Aleosan
South Cotabato: South Cotabato Police Provincial Office, DILG XII, Koronadal City District Jail, Koronadal City Police Station, South Cotabato 1st Provincial Mobile Force
Company (Koronadal City), MPS Banga, MPS Tantangan, MPS Polomolok, MPS Tupi, MPS Tampakan, BJMP Regional Office XII, MPS Lake Sebu, MPS Sto. Nino, MPS Tboli, 2nd South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company (Surallah), MPS Norala, Norala District Hospital, MPS Surallah, SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital.
Sultan Kudarat: MPS Palimbang, MPS Kalamansig, MPS Lebak, MPS Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital, MPS Senator Ninoy Aquino, Senator Ninoy Aquino Municipal Hospital, MPS Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office, Isulan District Jail, MPS Columbio, MPS Lutayan, MPS President Quirino, MPS Lambayong, MPS Bagumbayan, Bagumbayan Infirmary, 1st Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (Tacurong), Tacurong City Police Station, Tacurong City District Jail โ Male and Female Dormitory.
The validation team was composed of Rommel Arriola, Senior Technical Officer, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines; Cenon Alejandro Paje, Senior Technical Officer, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines; Jeus Rey Padilla, Project Coordinator, Smoke-Free Aklan; Jenelyn Ellie Ventura, DMO IV, PDOHO SarGen; Lera Jo Duldoco, Nurse IV, PHO Sarangani; Gene Gabriel Taburno, Nurse I, RHU Polomolok; and from the DOH CHD XII are Rafael and Gangoso, together with Rodlyn Ann Forro, HPO I, and Jonathan Buenconsejo, Artist Illustrator III.