"It was worth the trip."

Music to my ears. These were the words of Dr. Teruel when he and Sir Jerry went to Candoni yesterday to evaluate our local health board. We met with them earlier, the day before, in Kabankalan City, where all of the LGU members of the South Negros Interlocal Health Zone gathered to meet with them for the evaluation of the outstanding Interlocal Health Zone. Hinoba-an and Candoni, members of the SNILHZ, also joined the outstanding local health board competition. Weeks before this, we were already preparing our documentations and presentations for D-day. They arrived from Hinobaan in our RHU yesterday morning. I gave them a short tour of our newly renovated Health Center. It was a big change from the last time Sir Jerry was here. Earlier that day, we already had a practice presentation infront of the rest of the staff and the other members of the Municipal Council. Unfortunately, the Mayor was not around to "add on" to the presentation. He was in Manila attending the convention of the league of municipal mayors.

After the brief rest, we proceeded immediately to the gallery room where I gave a short powerpoint presentation of the activities of the Local Health Board. Throughout the presentation, I could see them nod their heads in agreement and acknowledgement, sometimes their expression of surprise, seemingly not expecting to hear the gains which Candoni, in just one year, was able to make.

In fact, after the end of the presentation, Dr. Teruel had to confess that they were quite surprised when Candoni joined the local health board evaluation. I told them "it was all Lakas-loob". "Well, it was worth the trip," Dr. Teruel said. I was in seventh heaven when he said that. It was strong acknowledgement of the things we have been doing in Candoni for the past 12 months.

They went over the minutes of the local health board, our resolutions, even the municipal resolutions and ordinances. SB Dolores Tomol was there to explain further the present ordinances pending in the council. After lunch I went back to Bacolod with our evaluators who were trying to catch the last trip to Iloilo. We were told that the awarding will be on December.

Till then, I am having my fingers crossed.