GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) has chosen mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. as this year's recipient of the prestigious PHA Presidential Award of Recognition.

Tiburcio S. Macias, PHA president, informed Acharon about the award through a letter dated Oct. 9, 2006.

"It is my honor to inform you that the committee on awards of the PHA has unanimously chosen you the only city mayor all over the country to receive the PHA Presidential Award of Recognition for your leadership and for the high priority you have given to improve
the health status of your constituents as well as for beseeching quality and excellence in the delivery of hospital and has fully implemented the magna carta for health workers," Macias said in his letter.

The conferment of the award will be held during the fellowship and awards night of the 57th Annual National Convention of PHA slated on Nov. 22 at the M/S Philippines, Manila Hotel.

No less than Department of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque will be the guest of honor.

Aside from the mayor, Lalaine Calonzo, formerly designated as OIC medical director of the General Santos City Hospital (GSCH), was also cited as one of the "chief of hospital" awardees.

The mayor captured such a distinction for implementing drastic reforms and for improving the delivery of health services at the GSCH.

City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. takes time out to talk with the mother of a sleeping infant-patient at the vastly-improved Pediatric Ward of the Gen. Santos City Hospital together with Hospital Administrator Marcelino Dospueblos and Assistant Hospital Administrator Zeny Eturma.