Cabarroguis, Quirino (12 January) -- For its exemplary delivery of basic child health services through the Garantisadong Pambata for the last three years (2007-2009), this province was awarded as Garantisadong Pambata (GP) Outstanding Implementer by the Department of Health (DOH) in the recent awarding ceremonies held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Clavelina Tolbe, provincial Nutritionist-Dietician and GP coordinator said the province was able to sustain its 100% coverage of Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) and deworming in the 132 barangays here which resulted to improved nutritional and health of the children in the entire province.

Tolbe added that with the overwhelming support of the provincial leaders headed by Cong. Junie E. Cua and Gov. Dax Cua, the province was able to surpass its annual benchmark of 90% from 2007 to 2009.

The provincial GP coordinator thanked the municipal officials, municipal health officers, nurses, midwives and the barangay health workers who brought the said health program even in the fur-flung areas.

The province received a trophy and a cash prize of P300,000. Tolbe said the amount will be used for the sustainability of the GP program in the province.

Launched in 1999, the Garantisadong Pambata aimed to reduce the mortality rate of children aged five and below.

Also joining the list of outstanding GP implementer is Santiago City in Isabela which won under the city category. It recorded an over-all average of 107.42 % in VAS and 105.13% in deworming.