Provincial Health Office of Davao del Norte

10/09/2026

DOH: PALAKASIN ANG PEER SUPPORT GROUPS AT COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES KONTRA SU***DE

Batay sa mga pag-aaral, ang pagkakaroon ng aktibong peer support network ay isa sa pinakamabisang proteksyon laban sa kalungkutan at krisis sa buhay dahil ipinapaalala nito sa bawat isa na hindi sila nag-iisa.

Kaya suportado ng DOH ang patuloy na paggamit ng DOH Peer Support Group Playbook ng mga Provincial at City-Wide Health Systems upang magkaroon ng mas madaling access na tulong pangkaisipan ang bawat Pilipino.

Ngayong World Su***de Prevention Day, maging safe space para sa mga mahal natin sa buhay upang makinig at makipagusap.

Kung ikaw o ang isang kakilala mo ay nangangailangan ng gabay at konsultasyon, magpaabot ng mensahe o tumawag sa NCMH Crisis Hotline: Toll-Free Hotline: 1553

10/09/2026

01/09/2026

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Obesity is a growing public health concern that affects people across all ages and communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝟴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 worldwide were living with obesity in 2022, while adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990. Among children and adolescents aged 5–19 years, more than 390 million were overweight in 2022, including over 160 million living with obesity

In the Philippines, overweight and obesity have also become important nutrition concerns. The Hospital at Maayo (2021) similarly emphasizes that obesity may increase the risk of conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and certain cancers. Data from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, 𝟯𝟵.𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝟮𝟬–𝟱𝟵 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗲 using the Asia-Pacific BMI classification, while 𝟭𝟳.𝟯% 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. Combined, 57.1% were overweight or obese highlighting the need for stronger prevention and management efforts (DOH, NNS, & WHO, 2024).

Prevention begins with establishing healthy habits throughout the life course. In the Philippine setting, these principles can be guided by the 10 Kumainments, the National Nutrition Council's simplified version of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos. In particular, 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭, “𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗯𝗮’𝘁-𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶𝗻,” encourages dietary variety, while 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟯, "𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘆," promotes daily consumption of vegetables and fruits. 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟴, “𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘆-𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗮𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁, 𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀,” encourages moderation of foods high in salt, fat, and sugar.

Physical activity is an essential component of obesity prevention and is reflected in 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟵, “𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴,” and 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟬: “𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗼. 𝗜𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸; 𝗵𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆𝗼” For adults, the World Health Organization recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of both. Adults are also encouraged to engage in muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days per week. For children and adolescents, WHO recommends an average of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day across the week (WHO, 2020) is another important part of obesity prevention. Regular movement supports overall health and helps maintain physical fitness, while reducing prolonged sedentary behavior can provide additional benefits. Healthy sleep habits and supportive family and community environments are also important components of a healthy lifestyle (WHO, 2025).

This Obesity Prevention Awareness Week, let us choose health over stigma, prevention over judgment, and collective action over blame. Small, sustainable changes supported by healthier homes, schools, communities, and food environments can contribute to a healthier future for everyone.

Health is not a number on a scale. Prevention starts with informed choices, supportive environments, and collective action.

Let’s promote health, not stigma. 💚



🖊️ | Shane Plaza, SND
🎨 | Crestine Rose Quiao, SND

References
Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2024). 2023 National Nutrition Survey: Overview and methodology. https://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/
National Nutrition Council. (n.d.). Know your Ten (10) Kumainments for healthier way of living. https://nnc.gov.ph/mindanao-region/know-your-ten-10-kumainments-for-healthier-way-of-living/
The Hospital at Maayo. (n.d.). How to avoid obesity in Filipino adults during the Ber months. https://thehospitalatmaayo.com/blog/how-to-avoid-obesity-adults
World Health Organization. (2025, March 4). Stronger food policies needed to combat obesity in the Philippines. https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/04-03-2025-stronger-food-policies-needed-to-combat-obesity-in-the-philippines
World Health Organization. (2025, December 8). Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
World Health Organization. (2026, January 26). Healthy diet. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128

26/08/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐯𝐬. 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐱, 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐇𝐎

The Davao City Health Office (CHO) is urging Dabawenyos to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of chickenpox, locally known as bulutong-tubig, emphasizing that vigilance and proper hygiene remain among the most effective ways to protect against the disease.

Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is transmitted through the air and direct contact with fluid from blisters. It commonly begins with fever and fatigue, followed by an itchy rash that develops into blisters by the second or third day.

Farah May Clamor, Section Head of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of CHO, emphasized during the ISpeak Media Conference on Thursday that early recognition of symptoms and immediate preventive measures are crucial in limiting the spread of the disease. While chickenpox is highly contagious, its transmission can be significantly reduced through responsible preventive practices.

“Chickenpox is highly contagious, but transmission can be reduced through early recognition, staying at home while contagious, avoiding close contact, and practicing good hygiene,” she said.

Clamor also highlighted that vaccination remains the best way to prevent chickenpox. She encouraged the public to continue practicing frequent hand washing, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and isolate infected persons at home until all blisters have dried and crusted over to prevent further transmission in the community.

“Mas kinahanglan gyud nga dali mabantayan kung naay sakit. Kung sick gyud ang tao, pwede stay at home lang sa gyud kay wala ta kabalo kung chicken pox ba na siya or any other disease. Kasagaran man gud, lahi ilahang gipamati. So, kung ingana mag mask ta, imaintain ang good hygiene kay kinahanglan gyud na para ma prevent ang sakit (It is really important to quickly notice if someone is sick. If a person is really sick, they should just stay at home because we don't know if it's chicken pox or any other disease. Usually, they feel uneasy. So, if we wear masks like that, we need to maintain good hygiene because it's really necessary to prevent the disease),” she added.

She reminded parents that children showing symptoms should be isolated and should not attend classes until all blisters have dried and crusted over, as the disease can spread more quickly in group settings.

She also advised the public to consult healthcare providers for accurate information and to avoid following misleading advice, stressing that professional guidance is essential in properly identifying symptoms and distinguishing chickenpox from other illnesses.

Dabawenyos experiencing symptoms related to this illness are encouraged to visit the CHO, district health centers, or barangay health centers. CIO

Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal