ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 is advocating for “Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas” to ensure safe and healthy Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Dr. Fritzi Ann Suzette Jeroso-Dequito, Health Promotion Unit head, said the campaign encourages Filipino families to observe the holiday season while being mindful of the different safe and healthy ways to celebrate it.
“The campaign for Christmas is not only focused on ‘Iwas Paputok’. But it is also focused on having a healthy diet and having a healthy celebration amidst all the Christmas parties that we have,” Dequito said in a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
“Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas” has three components: Healthy Handaan (feast), Healthy Celebrations and ‘Iwas Paputok’ (avoiding use of firecrackers).
For the healthy handaan, the DOH advocates for the “Pinggang Pinoy”, an easy-to-understand food guide.
“We encourage every Filipino family to have a well-balanced, well-moderated, varied diet
and limit the intake of sugary beverages and food while partnering with an active lifestyle this holiday season. Avoiding alcohol intake this season will decrease the chances of illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, as well as injuries from road crashes, falls, and violence,” said Dequito.
The healthy celebrations, meanwhile, refer to physical and mental health.
Wearing masks if you are feeling under the weather is highly encouraged. Frequent hand washing is also encouraged.
Also, for mental health, get enough rest, maintain social networks and talk to trusted people.
Dequito added that if you know someone going through difficult situations, the DOH’s Mental Health Connect Crisis hotline accepts and attends to calls.
For the last component, iwas paputok, preventing fireworks-related injuries has long been advocated.
The DOH urges Filipino families to use a safer alternative to fireworks or pyrotechnic such as pans, bells, sound systems, and other light emitting devices.
“The catastrophe brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic proved how essential it is to maintain a safe and healthy environment. Enjoying this holiday season while being mindful and practicing healthy handaan, healthy celebrations and iwas paputok will ensure not only a safe and health Filipino but a peaceful celebration for the rest of the country,” the DOH added.
Here are the Healthy Pilipinas Guidelines for a Safe and Healthy Celebration for 2023 components:
For Healthy Handaan
* Eat a balanced, well-moderated, and varied diet
* Follow the “Pinggang Pinoy”
* Drink water; avoid alcohol and sweetened beverages
* Do not wait to feel thirsty
* Limit the intake of sweetened beverages
* Avoid alcoholic beverages
* Partner eating healthy with an active lifestyle- make it a habit to exercise and engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day
For Healthy Celebrations
* Wear a mask if experiencing symptoms
* Practice wash-o’-clock all the time
* Opt for safe and age-appropriate gifts
* Do not smoke; quit smoking
* Take care of your mental health
For ‘Iwas Paputok’
* Do not use fireworks and firecrackers to avoid accidents and injury.
* Use safer alternatives to firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
* Do not pick-up unexploded fireworks with your hands.
* Know your emergency hotlines and first-aid.
Meanwhile, this holiday season all DOH hospitals, provincial and district hospitals, and other health facilities shall:
* ensure the availability of emergency medical services upon declaration of “code white alert”;
* designate an area for management of fireworks-related injuries; and
* report all cases of fireworks-related injuries through the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance System from Dec. 21, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2024.
Moreover, the LGUs are enjoined to:
* encourage the observance of the updated protocols on minimum public health standards based on DOH Circular No. 2023-0324;
* prevent fireworks-related injuries; and
* implement the Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas campaign.
Other national government agencies are also enjoined to support by participating in campaign events, strategies or activities while being mindful of the above guidance for a safe holiday celebration./PN
