Health Secretary Ona, Director Janairo lead Jam Steps

ANG Batang Pinoy head Jewel Mae Lobaton said that Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Director Eduardo Janairo of the Center for Health Development-NCR led the Jam Steps at Quezon City Elliptical Circle on Friday.

Metro Manila Integrated Non-Communicable Disease Program Coalition (Mind-PC) also participated in the said event.

Ona stated that the event is to teach healthy lifestyle among youth and make them smoke less, which could lead to early onset of smoking-related non-communicable diseases.

Janairo stressed that the aerobic dance exercise is in support for the passage of the Sin Tax Bill, which when passed will bring funds in the implementation of the national program for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control.

The dance exercise in Bacolod City was developed and performed by the “Ang Batang Pinoy Movement”, which can be integrated into any kind of exercise and can be taught easily to children.

“By instilling the importance of healthy living and involving our children to make healthier preferences, many chronic diseases can be slowed or prevented in the future,” he stated.

The Department of Health (DOH) ranked hypertension and heart diseases as the 5th and 6th leading causes of morbidity in the country. Lifestyle related diseases like cardiovascular diseases, COPD, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disorders are among the top leading causes of death today.

The MIND-PC is an organization chaired by DOH-NCR and composed of various
private and public sectors in Metro Manila including educators, civil society, non-governmental institutions, commerce and industry, media, environmental groups, health policy planners and decision makers. It is a response for the need to focus all efforts and resources to promote healthier lifestyles among Filipinos. (Carla N. Canet)