RHU Balbalan now a level 1 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility; MHO says this is just the beginning

Balbalan, Kalinga – One of the priorities of the Rural Health Unit in Balbalan is to ensure there is accessible and youth-focused health services for the young ones in the municipality, a testament to this is the facility’s recent certification as Level 1 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility.

Mayor Almar Malannag, for his part, was grateful and lauded the work of the RHU personnel in town, saying with hard work and dedication things will get better.

The validation was received by the RHU Balbalan led by Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Roselle Calma first week of September 2025. Said certification was awarded to Balbalan after fulfilling the standards set under the Department of Health Memorandum No. 2017 – 0098 which advocates for a safe, supportive, and responsive health environment for the youth.

Having been certified as Level 1 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility, the Balbalan health center’s teen hub received equipment funded under the ‘Juana Be WAIS Playbook’ initiative of the province.

The RHU Balbalan, in a statement, conveyed that the certification is an embodiment of the concerted team and hard work of the health workers in the town and barangays, national line agencies, and the unending support of the Municipal Local Government led by Mayor Almar Malannag.

“We are committed to providing our youth with quality, accessible, and youth-focused healthcare services … This marks the start of numerous initiatives aimed at empowering and supporting the young members of our community. Together, we are building a healthier and brighter future for the youth of Balbalan,” the RHU under MHO Calma expressed.