DILG endorses Perfect 10 healthy lifestyle program

MANILA, Philippines – In support of Presidential Proclamation No. 958 declaring the years 2005 to 2015 as the Decade of Healthy Lifestyle, the JP2 Movement for Community Development Inc., in partnership with the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Health Care, is advocating a Perfect 10 healthy lifestyle to prevent the four deadly non-communicable diseases caused by unhealthy practices: Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary ailment, and diabetes.

 In view of this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged all local chief executives to support this advocacy campaign by encouraging their respective constituents to adopt the following simple steps to a Perfect 10 healthy lifestyle:

1) Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day, with less salt, sugar, and fats.

2) Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily.

3) Rest and sleep for seven to nine hours every night.

4) Breathe clean air. Say no to smoking and prohibited drugs.

5) Exercise every day and get enough sunlight. Be physically active and maintain normal weight.

6) Manage stress, relax, and pray.

7) Maintain personal hygiene and good grooming.

8) Keep a clean household and practice waste management.

9) Consult a physician. Go for a health checkup.

10) Be a role model. Give good examples. Take care of your family and friends.

“One of the first local government units to adopt the healthy lifestyle sdvocacy is that of Parañaque led by Mayor Jun Bernabe. After introducing the basic concept, the city administration expanded its scope and sustained the effort towards its continuity,” says DILG Parañaque City director Teresita Fababeir.

Parañaque boasts the successful implementation of its Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART) program which continues to win acclaim from various sectors as it consistently makes its mark by closing gaps and correcting inequities in the delivery of health services in the community.

The Parañaque Urban HEART team, headed by city health officer Dr. Olga Virtusio, has come up with health policies aimed to eliminate unfair health conditions and promote equal access to services, equal utilization of  health facilities,  and equal quality care for all.

Promoting the health of its employees that they may be able to serve the people of Parañaque better, this local government unit regularly renders free FBS and cholesterol diagnostics, medical and dental checkups, conducts health seminars, and holds aerobic dance sessions for city personnel every Friday morning. Mayor Jun Bernabe also prohibited smoking at the city hall and in all city government facilities and service vehicles.     

For continuously introducing new concepts and innovations in health care, the Parañaque City government copped the 2009 Galing Pook Award for Outstanding Local Governance, the 2008 Award for Healthy City with Good Dynamics and Award for Creative Development in Healthy Cities, and the 2006 Award for Progressive Cities with Great Potentials, all from the Alliance for Healthy Cities and the World Health Organization.