Manila, Feb. 13 -- The Department of Health has recognized the provincial government of Pangasinan as one of three national awardees for the Healthy Communities Awards 2024.

Pangasinan received a bronze award for meeting at least 50 percent of the required criteria, alongside Pasay City and Davao de Oro during a ceremony on Feb.10 here.

It was the first time the province received the recognition since the award's launch in 2021.

DOH Health Promotion Bureau Officer-in-Charge Director Dominic Maddumba explained that the department and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) established Joint Administrative Order 2021-002 to outline the framework for healthy communities.

"This framework fosters an environment conducive...