All Set for “Kalag-Kalag”

CEBU, Philippines — As everyone must already be ready for the upcoming “kalag-kalag” by now, the Department of Health (DOH) has once again advised the public to observe necessary precautions. Those who plan to bring their own food and water from home – which is advisable – shall see to it that the food items they bring to the cemetery are the types that do not spoil easily. Spoiled food can bring on stomach upset or diarrhea, or even food poisoning.

Local government units have also been asked to check and regulate ambulant food vendors to ensure food safety through proper preparation and sanitation. Food tends to spoil easily when produced in volume and not cooked, stored, or handled properly, according to a DOH official. Establishments that prepare, serve, and distribute food for mass catering are enjoined to guarantee the safety of the food for prevention of food-borne illnesses and outbreaks, the health official added.

There are other health concerns that emerge when people come together in great numbers. The crowds that troop to bus terminals, for example, do not only mean security risks, but health risks as well. The quality of the air people breathe in is compromised; and those suffering from certain ailments may easily pass it around.

And so transport owners may have to deploy more buses to bring people to the towns and avoid overcrowding and overloading of passengers, which oftentimes are causes of accidents. Commuters are also reminded to plan their trips, to bring water to avoid dehydration, and to bring much patience as well, which they will need all the way from the bus terminals until their destinations.

Meanwhile, all DOH-retained hospitals and regional offices nationwide are on Code White Alert from October 30 until November 2, to quickly respond to any eventualities or health-related incidents that may occur during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. A Code White Alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency situations that may require immediate medical attention; all medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization, including general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, and nurses.

Additional “kalag-kalag” reminders are posted by Dr. Willie T. Ong at the website http://pusongpamilya.com:

1. Avoid bringing infants to the cemetery; the little ones easily get sick being in hot and cramped places.

2. The sick and the elderly may just have to light candles for their dead at the church. If they really want to go to the cemetery, they better go early with a companion.

3. People should, as much as possible, limit the duration of their visit to the cemetery in order to prevent the crowd there to grow too much, especially at small cemeteries.

4. Those on maintenance medication shall accordingly take their medicines, especially those for the heart, for hypertension and for diabetes.

6.Cemetery visitors shall wear comfortable clothing, in order to have freedom of movement and comfortable, fresh feeling.

7. An umbrella would be very useful against rain or shine, and for shooing away stray animals.

8. Everyone shall be wary about buying food from ambulant vendors. It’s better to bring snacks and drinking water from home.

Observing precautions will help ensure that everyone’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day will be smooth and meaningful.