DOH: Stay healthy, safe

CEBU, Philippines - With food of different sorts on the table this Christmas, the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded the public to remember  to still eat healthy.

Dr. Expedito Medalla, Health Emergency Management Staff coordinator of  DOH, said that with the many celebrations people attend, it is almost inevitable to eat mostly oily and/or fatty food. The problem with this, he said, is the long term effect it will have on one’s health.

“Sometimes, people seem to forget because of the holiday, the joy… lechon diri, humba didto,” Medalla said.

Aside from controlling the intake of fatty foods, Medalla also said it is important to continue eating fruits and vegetables. He also cautioned partygoers from too much exposure to crowds, which exposes them to the risk of being with communicable and respiratory diseases like cough and colds.

Overall, whether during the Christmas season or not, Medalla gave this advice:

“Kinahanglan, duna’y 30% nga fruits and vegetables sa ilang pagkaon; eat moderately in eating fats and karne; what is important is you have to exercise; take time to relax; avoid stress sa kinabuhi; proper nutrition; healthy diet; drink water; enough sleep, at least seven to eight hours a day.”

Safety

Aside from eating healthy, Medella also urged the public to avoid using firecrackers in greeting the New Year, a reminder authorities give out every year.

“Gihangyo nato ang mga tawo nga og mahimo, di ta mogamit anang mga firecracker(s)… mangita ta’g laing pamaaging’ magsaba-saba; (like having a) party, sounds, tabon sa kaldero, torotot (We are asking the public not to use firecrackers as much as possible… instead, just use materials that produce sound like pot covers or trumpets),” he said.

Medalla said it is the wish of DOH to see everyone do the “high five” campaign, which means, everyone still has their fingers intact after the celebrations.

He said DOH has started monitoring hospitals of firecracker-related incidents since December 16. 

“Nag-start na since December 16 (and) we have issued a Code-White Alert sa atoang mga hospitals which are our sentinel hospitals para naay mag-record og naa’y mga cases related to firecrackers during this period,” he said.

He assured that doctors are on standby in emergency rooms so that victims of firecrackers will be treated right away.

In relation to this, Lapu-Lapu City Police Director Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said at least 60 percent of firecracker retailers have complied with the necessary requirements at the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS).

This is part of the security measures for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebration to ensure public safety.

 Lawas said there were retailers who violated the regulation.

“Dunay uban nga wala sa firecracker zone nagbuhat like nag-cover sa pabuto which among giapil pero it’s up to the FESSAGS to take necessary action on it (There were those who manufactured outside the firecracker zone and we have included them in our report. It is now up to FESSAGS to take action),” Lawas told The Freeman.

Meanwhile, Public Assistance Centers are also in place with police and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel on standby.

 â€œDay in and day out magpuli-puli ang atong pulis ug BFP sa pagbantay sa area against aning underground retailers (Day in and day out, our police and BFP personnel are on standby to prevent underground retailers),” Lawas said.

He said they are closely monitoring Barangays Babag, Canjulao and Kalawisan in Lapu-Lapu City where the firecracker areas are located.

In Cebu City, firecrackers are being sold at a designated area at the South Road Properties (SRP) (FREEMAN)