by Vency D. Bulayungan

Lagawe, Ifugao (14 February) -- In line with the Department of Health's program on healthy lifestyle by designating the month of February as'Heart Month', the provincial government here has ensured the implementation of the provincial ordinance which designates smoking areas in the province and imposing penalties thereof.

Governor Teddy Baguilat Jr here said in his speech during the launching of healthy lifestyle campaign held recently at the provincial plaza that we need to address the problem on diseases. "we were able to decrease other problems such as malaria and infant/maternal mortality rate in the province yet we have forgotten the healthy lifestyle," he said.

We have to implement a program for our heart and looking at the indicators of a healthy lifestyle such as no smoking, drinking and avoid fatty foods, it is very hard for us to get rid of those indicators, Baguilat lamented. He said that he just signed a memorandum of agreement strengthening the ordinance designating smoking areas in the province.

Pursuant to Section 2 of the said ordinance, designated smoking areas should be open spaces or separate areas away from crowds or aggregates of people

The DOH has enjoined local government units to undertake activities that will heighten public awareness on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. Specifically, to highlight, Healthy Lifestyle to the Max" campaign for the whole month of February. Healthy lifestyle is the main message and one major vital health practice is no smoking.