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MANILA, Philippines — With Christmas and New Year parties fast approaching, the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded Filipinos to spend the yuletide healthily through moderate consumption of unhealthy food and proper exercise.
According to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, DOH’s Ligtas Christmas campaign promotes three components: healthy eating, exercise, and discipline; safe travel; and avoiding firecrackers.
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Speaking to reporters, ADB country director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran said the Manila-based multilateral lender was targeting to green-light the first round of financing under a multi-tranche loan to bankroll the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network project later this year.
Article continues after this advertisementHerbosa said many Filipinos with high blood pressure make an excuse to eat what is prohibited for them because Christmas festivities only happen once a year.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Paolo Duterte OK with probe, but says it must not be based on hearsay NEWSINFO Quad comm seeks crimes against humanity raps vs Duterte, Bato, Bong Go NEWSINFO MMDA issues coding suspension schedule for the holidays“We are reminding everyone not to overeat this Christmas — too much rich food, too much oil, too much fatty food. This is our program: eating healthily and doing physical exercise,” Herbosa said in a media forum in Quezon City on Tuesday.
READ: Filipinos tighten belts for Christmas as costs rise
Article continues after this advertisementA report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October showed that Filipinos had a higher risk of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) than other people from the Western Pacific region.
respin123 slotArticle continues after this advertisementNCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases may not be infectious but continue to account for most causes of death around the world, according to the WHO.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: WHO: Premature death risk due to NCDs in PH among highest in region
Herbosa also said Filipinos must practice “biyahealthy,” a portmanteau of “biyahe” (travel) and “healthy,” by ensuring that activities such as walking and riding a bike contribute to a healthy body.
Article continues after this advertisementHe also said that road accidents remain a top safety concern.
READ: Why road safety must be a priority this holiday season
“Many people will drink this Christmas… This doesn’t match because they will drive on their way home. Many of those who get injured come from two-wheeler vehicles,” he added.
Meanwhile, the DOH’s Iwas Paputok (avoid firecrackers) campaign seeks to promote safety, especially among children.
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Herbosa said the DOH is recommending a community fireworks displaybspin, so children will not be tempted to play with firecrackers.
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