31 July 2012 - Sta. Magdelena, Sorsogon bagged home major awards, in the three categories during the 3rd Salud Bicolnon at the Oriental Hotel, Legazpi City. The municipality was included among the LGUs recognized in the coveted Magayagaya, Green Achiever, and Individual Awards.

The 3rd Salud Bicolnon Awards was attended by 700 participants from Health and Nutrition partners from all over the Bicol Region. USec Teodoro J. Herbosa was the keynote speaker. Governor Joey Sarte Salceda was also present in the event, as well as the Mayors and Barangay official of different LGUs of the different municipalities. It was also the first time that the National Nutrition Council Region V (NNC RO V) joined DOH-CHD RO V in recognizing efforts of LGUs along proper Health and Nutrition Implementation. Two hundred thirty-nine (239) of the participants were awarded Dugong Bicol Award.

Among the Individual awards were the top 3 MNCHN-Friendly LGUs, given to Tabaco City Health Office, Pandan, Catanduanes RHU, and Legazpi City Health Office; Outstanding BEmonC were Pandan & Baras Catanduanes, Irosin, Gubat and Bacon District Health Office of Sorsogon; Best Performing Botica ng Bayan were Caps and Tabs Ragay, Camarines Sur, BnB Santiago Apostol, Capalonga, Camarines Norte, BnB Awaii, Donsol, Sorsogon, and BnB Pintor, Polangui, Albay; Best Implementer: DOTS (facility level) were awarded to Malinao RHU, Albay; Baras RHU, Catanduanes; San Jacinto RHU, Masbate; and Bulusan RHU, Sorsogon. Orally Fit Child Awards were given to Day Care Centers of Carriedo DCC, Irosin and Pantalan DCC, Sta. Magdalena of Sorsogon; Centro 2 DCC, San Jacinto, Masbate, and Tuburan DCC, Ligao and the City Government of Ligao; Barangays with Best Sanitation Practice in Camarines Sur were Brgy. Vigaan, Sipocot, Brgy.San Pantaleon, Magarao, and Brgy.San Francisco, Lagonoy; also included were Brgy. Dacu, Mobo, Masbate, Brgy. Canapawan, Labo, and Brgy.Pag-asa, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte. The last award was for the Best Hospital. Awardees all come from Catanduanes: for the 1st level hospital, it was Juan M. Alberto Memorial District Hospital and for the 2nd level, the best is Pandan District Hospital.

The Magayagaya Award, the highest award given this year was received by 3 RHUs of Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon; Daraga, Albay, and Labo , Camarines Norte ; the Green Achiever Award, another major award was received by the Municipality of Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon (again) and by the Province of Catanduanes.

Aside from the trophy, cash award was also given to the winning LGUs in various amounts with Sta. Magdalena, Sorosogon going home with most financial assistance.
The LGUs vowed to continue the excellent practice they have started and will continue to implement in the hope that next year, the coveted Salud Bicolnon Award with a cash award of half million will be received by one of them.