Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro on Monday, March 11, underscored the importance of having a healthy lifestyle, as the city joined the Department of Health (DOH) in celebrating Philippine Heart Month.

Mayor Marcy Teodoro spearheads the launch of the 'Ka-heartner, Puso ang Piliin Health Fair' on March 11, 2024, at the Marikina Sports Center, as part of Philippine Heart Month’s festivities.

The city government and the DOH-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) launched the "Ka-heartner, Puso and Piliin Health Fair" at the Marikina Sports Center as part of the Philippine Heart Month festivities.

During the launch, Teodoro said that everyone should achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure that they are protected against disease and other ailments.

"Disease prevention ang pangunahing nating layon dito. And this is part of our definition of resiliency that we are not only able to respond to the challenges on health; on problems that we encounter during calamities but more importantly prevention and control (Disease prevention is our primary goal here and this is part of our definition of resiliency that we are not only able to respond to the challenges on health; on problems that we encounter during calamities but more importantly prevention and control)," he explained as he highlighted the city's programs ensuring the health and welfare of its residents.

In addition, he noted that the city government has recognized the value of having open spaces around the city that the public can freely use for exercise and recreational purposes.

"Sa Marikina ay may programa tayo para dito at mga pasilidad na dinevelop para rito tulad ng parks and playgrounds kung saan nagagamit as exercise area ng mga tao. Hindi na nila kailangan pang pumunta sa mga mamahaling gym or pribadong lugar kung saan pwede silang makapag-exercise (In Marikina, we have programs and facilities that have been developed to be used as exercise area of the public such as parks and playgrounds. With these, people will no longer have to go to expensive gyms or private places just to exercise)," Teodoro said.

"Our exercise areas in Marikina are public in nature. Mayroon tayong integrated bike lane dito sa Marikina na hindi lang as alternative transport mode kundi ginagamit din natin ito to promote a healthy lifestyle. Imbes na sumakay ng sasakyan, puwedeng maglakad okaya ay puwedeng mag-bisikleta (We have an integrated bike lane here in Marikina that can be used not just as an alternative mode of transportation but also to promote a healthy lifestyle. Instead of riding a car, people may just walk or bike going to their destinations)," he added.

UHC

The local chief also explained that Marikina has health facilities that have been accredited under the Universal Health Care system (UHC).

"Accredited sa Universal Health Care system lahat ng health facilities natin dito sa Marikina. May mga super health centers tayo rito kaya accessible ang mga health facilities natin at available ‘yung health services na kailangan ng mga tao. Hindi lang para gamutin sila for purposes of the diagnostic requirement ng mga taong may sakit o mga may nararamdaman (All health facilities here in Marikina are accredited by the Universal Health Care system. We also have super health centers here ensuring the availability of health services needed by the people and not just for purposes of the diagnostic requirement of those with ailments)," Teodoro said.

For his part, DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Rio Magpantay urged the public to choose what is good for their heart.

"Puso ang piliin. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin na pisikal na puso ang piliin? Ang ibig sabihin po noon dapat ay aalagaan natin ang ating puso dahil sa kasalukuyan po ay halos No. 1 or No. 2 na rason ng mga namamatay dahil sa sakit sa puso, dahil sa cancer, dahil sa stroke, lahat po iyan ay related din naman sa ating puso (Choose our heart. What does it mean to choose your heart physically? This means that people must take care of their heart because it is currently the No. 1 or No. 2 cause of death. Heart ailments, cancer, and stroke are all related in our heart)," Magpantay said.

"Kaya nga po, ‘pag pinili na natin ang ating mga puso, ano ang ating gagawin? Diet, again pagpili na naman iyon; exercise, pagpili na naman iyon; our mental health, anti-stress activities, pagpili na naman iyon; pati po ‘yung pakikisalamuha pati ang pagkikipag-ugnayan sa tao, ang pagiging masaya ay isa rin pong pagpili (Once we choose our heart, we must also choose to diet, exercise, improve our mental health, engage in anti-stress activities, interact with others, and being happy)," he added.

The Ka-heartner, Puso ang Piliin Ngayong Heart Month program serves as a platform to advocate for the heart health of local senior citizens, high-risk groups, and stakeholders.  

Recently, the DOH has advised the public to avoid fatty and salty foods; eat fruits and vegetables; exercise regularly; and avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Philippine Heart Month is observed every February, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1096, which was issued on Jan. 9, 1973.

The declaration intends to increase Filipinos' awareness of heart disease as a serious and growing health issue. In other words, this is the time of year when the public should be especially concerned about the health of their hearts and anything that could injure them.