Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) was recognized during the Department of Health Cordillera Center for Health and Development’s (DOH CCHD) Am-among for Health and Gawad Kalusugan 2025 conducted on 29 October 2025 in Baguio City.
The DSWD FO CAR received two (2) recognitions including the “Outstanding Stewardship Award for Women, Children and Families” which was given in recognition of the Field Office’s multi-sectoral action to prevent abuse, uphold justice, and promote healing for vulnerable population. The DOH said that the DSWD has consistently showed commitment to safeguard the rights and well-being of women, children, and adolescents through strengthened coordination and social protection mechanisms.
The Field Office also received the Tobacco Cessation Innovation Award which is a result of the Field Office’s intensified efforts to help DSWD personnel to quit smoking. As early as 2022, the Field Office, through its Human Resource Welfare Section (HRWS), has implemented activities such as coordination and partnership with barangay local government to help in the total banning of promotion, selling, and distribution of tobacco products within the 100 meter perimeter of DSWD FO CAR. In terms of strengthening policy implementation, the DSWD FO CAR has enhanced its policy on tobacco use, adding the prohibition on the use of vape and betel nut in the workplace. It has also supported the advocacy by providing rewards for staying quit personnel. To further promote this cause, the HRWS has provided assistance to personnel who expressed their intention to quit smoking, distributed different information, education and communication materials as well as conducted online orientation sessions which tackled the negative effects of substance use including the use of tobacco products.
The awards were received by DSWD FO CAR Chief Administrative Officer and HRMDD Chief Rina Claire Reyes and representative from the Human Resource Welfare Section (HRWS), Nurse Annalyn Baiwes. In her acceptance message, Reyes emphasized that health is not just the responsibility of the Government but a shared mission. She said that it will only thrive where partnership is strong, where leaders listen, and where communities participate.
“The path towards achieving the 8 Priority Health Outcomes — from maternal and child health, disease prevention and control, nutrition, mental health, and universal health care, to health emergency preparedness and resilience — has not been easy. But through partnership, collaboration, and compassion, we have shown that no mountain is too high when we move together as one” Reyes said.
She further thanked the health workers, local leaders, partner agencies and health advocates who continue to champion health in the Cordillera Region.
“The success of our health programs in the Cordillera is proof that when we unite our strengths and share our hearts, we create lasting change. As we continue this journey, may we sustain the momentum, deepen our collaboration, and uphold the Am-Among spirit in all that we do”, she added.
Aside from this year’s recognitions, the DSWD FO CAR was earlier conferred with the 2022 Red Orchid Award which is given by the DOH to institutions that achieve and maintain a 100% smoke-free environment. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva-Trinidad, Information Officer II
