1st local health Summit held in Albay town

 DARAGA ALBAY, June 2, 2011 – The municipality of Daraga held its first Local Health Summit with a theme “sustaining the gains in health promotion for Healthy Darageños at the AECID Building, this town.

Hon. Salvador “Buddy” Llamasares, SB Chairman- Commission on Health in cooperation with Municipal Health Office through Dr. Mercy Z. Chua spearheaded the health gathering and was participated by the municipalities’ Barangay officials and Barangay Health Workers.

Hon. Salvador  "Buddy" Llamasares
SB Chairman- Com. on Health

Part of the advocacy program of Local Government of Daraga is the healthy lifestyle and including the health hazards brought about by cigarette smoking.

The Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN), being the prime mover of the anti-smoking campaign in Albay gave their support by providing “Health Age Appraisal”- a tool advocating seven good health practices such as: Getting regular exercise, start each day with a good breakfast, avoid frequent snacking and maintaining a healthy weight, get an adequate sleep of at least 7-8 hours, avoid alcohol and keep intake low or moderate.

Ms. Daisy Adrales, Program Coordinator on Integrated Non-Communicable Disease, of the Provincial Health Office render a lecture on the Ill-effects of Smoking.

The participants showed a good impression on the anti-smoking promotion and agreed that this campaign should reach their municipality.

Pastor Deodato Quintela, Smoke-Free Coordinator shared his observation on the smoking violations in Legazpi City vending cigarettes alongside the boundary of Daraga and encouraged the local legislators of Daraga to pass an ordinance.

Speakers on Voluntary Blood donation was also rendered by Mr. Carlo Alvarado, Voluntary Blood Recruitment Officer of the Bicol Regional Blood Center DOH, Regional Office.

Dr. Nathaniel Cruz, discussed the rabies situations in the province of Albay.

Ms. Cristita C. Triunfante, Executive Director of Mayon Integrated Development Alternative Service (MIDAS) facilitated the workshop on Health Situation of the barangays, prioritization of the issues and concerns, challenges and formulation of action plans on Maternal Newborn and Child Health Nutrition (MNCHN).

Councilor Joey Espinas read the messages of Mayor Gerry Jaucian expressing his support in the initiative of the Municipal Health Officer and to the Sangguniang Bayan Chairman, Committee on Health and Sanitation of Daraga.

Dr. Mercy Chua, , MHO Darga

Moreover, Dr. Mercy Chua wished for support of the Smoke-Free Albay Network to help out in the legislation of Smoke-Free Daraga to instigate the immediate passage of the Smoke-Free Ordinance.

“I am pretty sure that we will be launching a Smoke-Free Summit in Daraga very, very soon,” she added.

The Smoking Ordinance for Daraga was scheduled for the second committee hearing on June 6, 2011 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in the Municipality of Daraga. (Bhevz/jopay)