The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region yesterday marked the start of holiday season through the launching of the “Ligtas Christmas 2024” campaign in Dagupan City which aims to guide Filipinos on simple and feasible ways to celebrate the coming Christmas season with the theme “Pamilyang Patok ‘Pag Kumpleto at Ligtas!”.
Guest of Honor and DOH Assistant Secretary Maylene M. Beltran said that this year’s campaign emphasizes the importance of keeping the family healthy and safe by encouraging the public to choose healthier options during feasts and similar activities for Tamang Pagkain, Ehersisyo at Disiplina, planning safe trips and vacation through “ByaHealthy”, and encouraging the public to use alternative options for merry-making and watching fireworks display in a common community area to promote “Iwas Paputok” activities thus preventing fireworks-related injuries.
“Gawin po nating gabay ang “T-E-D” – T-amang pagkain, kasama dito ang preparation ng healthy foods; E-hersisyo at least 30 minutes a day to keep our body fit and healthy; at D- isiplina, in everything we do to stay fit and healthy gaya ng healthy lifestyle choices at managing habits and making conscious decisions to prioritize wellbeing,” she stated.
To further strengthen the “Ligtas Christmas ” campaign, a draft City Ordinance on “Iwas Paputok” for Dagupan City was signed by the City Vice Mayor Dean Bryan Kua and supported by the twenty-one (21) barangays that were declared as zero-case fireworks-related injuries for 2023-2024.
Also, partner agencies and local officials signed a Pledge of Commitment to ensure the implementation of the “Ligtas Christmas” activities for the health and safety of all.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco reminded and encouraged the public that they can celebrate Christmas in a safer and healthier way. “The holiday season should not be the reason to get sick because of eating unhealthy foods, or practicing unhealthy behaviors. Instead, the holidays are considered as avenues and opportunities to promote health and safety for everyone” she emphasized.
As part of the campaign, the regional office in partnership with the Region I Medical Center, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center-Dagupan, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, and Dagupan City Health Office likewise conducted the “Pinggang Pinoy Panalo sa Pasko” Cooking Contest which was participated by Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) on December 12, 2024 to highlight the importance of food preparation and healthy diet.
Simultaneous to the Ligtas Christmas Launching in Dagupan City is the conduct of another people-centered activity: Pinaka-Bonggang Christmas Caroling Contest in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur led by DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Cervantes. The awarding ceremony was conducted on December 13, 2024 in Barangay Malaya, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, one of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Highlights of the event was the participation of all 13 Barangays of the Municipality of Cervantes in said contest. This particular people-centered activity community playbook aimed to enjoin the community in practicing safe activities such as avoiding the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices to prevent firework-related injuries and instead of focusing more on sustainable and safer creation during the Christmas like joining the singing and Caroling contest in the barangay. At the same time, the contest ignite d the competitiveness of the community people and enrich the camaraderie among them.
To ensure a Ligtas Christmas 2024, the Department of Health monitors fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) through surveillance bulletins starting December 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025. (Glen S. Ramos and Rowena Mercado)
(Source: DOH Ilocos Region)