Albay: Albay Governor Noel Rosal has committed to providing better and more accessible healthcare services to Albayanos. This pledge follows the recognition received by the Provincial Government of Albay, through the Albay Provincial Health Office, at the 14th Salud Bikolnon Awards for its strong performance in implementing health programs.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rosal emphasized that the awards reflect Albay's health initiatives, which are aligned with national health goals. He stated, "This serves as inspiration for us to continue our service, especially in vital areas such as mental health, disaster preparedness, and hospital maintenance."

Rosal highlighted the necessity of adequate funding for these prioritized programs. While acknowledging the availability of national funds, he stressed the importance of establishing a local fund to directly benefit the community. "To sustain these efforts, we need to include them in our annual investment plan," he added.

The governor also mentioned changes being made to the province's healthcare programs, particularly in the supply of medicines. "Every hospital must have the necessary facilities, such as a laboratory and an X-ray department, and be fully equipped for emergencies," he said.

The province was recognized with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health Institutionalization Award for its ongoing efforts to integrate disaster risk reduction into the local health system. Additionally, Albay received a Plaque of Recognition for its clear policies, ordinances, and organizational structures that effectively embed disaster risk reduction and management into provincial planning and decision-making.

Moreover, Albay was acknowledged as a Top Performer for Case Notification due to its effective identification, reporting, and recording of tuberculosis cases. The Salud Bikolnon is one of the longest-running awards given by the Department of Health to top-notch health governance practices of local government units and other sectors.