Agusan Sur town gets highest award for DOH drive vs smoking

BUTUAN CITY — For implementing 100 percent a policy on tobacco-free environment, the Department of Health has awarded the Veruela town in Agusan del Sur the “Red Orchid Award" – the highest award for the DOH anti-smoking campaign. Also, Veruela received P100,000.00 worth of nicotine-replacement medicines and patches to aid smokers to quit The trophy and other prizes were given to Veruela officials at the Crown Plaza Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig City in Metro Manila last month, during this year's observance of the World Tobacco Day. Veruela is one of the river towns of Agusan del Sur, the biggest province of Caraga region in terms of land area, occupying almost one half of the region's total land area. — Ben Serrano/LBG, GMA News