The DoH Red Orchid Awards is the Search for 100% tobacco-free provinces, municipalities, cities, government offices, and government hospitals. Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona said that the Red Orchid Awards is the first of its kind in the world in giving out such recognition. The DOH Red Orchid Awards winners are judged based on the strength of comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment using the World Health Organization MPOWER initiative. MPOWER is an acronym that denotes the six proven tobacco control policies, namely: Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; Protect people from tobacco smoke; Offer help to quit tobacco use; Warn against the dangers of tobacco; Enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and Raise taxes on tobacco.
Dr. Glory Baltazar of the Bataan General Hospital was also there to receive the award for the BGH, also P/Supt Joshua F. Alejandro for the PNP Balanga City Police Station. Gov. Garcia also received the Red Orchid Hall of Fame Award for the Mariveles Mental Hospital for consistently maintaining the award for three (3) consecutive times.
