Bontoc, Mountain Province – The public and government employees are being urged to join the wellness program of the provincial government through its Provincial Health Office (PHO).
According to Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Penelope A. Domogo, the Wellness Center at the PHO- Technical Section, 2nd Floor, Administration Building, Bontoc General Hospital Compound is open every first Thursday of the month from 2:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon. The program offers free lectures on living well and being happy, free counseling, free demonstration on preparing and cooking nutritious food, physical activities, and sessions on healing and wellness activities. However, everybody is still encouraged to visit their office from Monday to Friday during office hours to register for the Wellness Center.
During the simple opening ceremonies of the Wellness Center on August 4, 2016, participants had a first-hand experience on how to prepare vegetable salad dressing from Dr. Clare Lalwet of Sagada who has been practicing organic farming. Also, Health Education Promotions Officer II Prima Donna L. Te-elan and Nutritionist Dietitian II Mary Dianne D. Saong demonstrated to the participants how to cook scrambled tufo and fried tufo respectively. Aside from this, the participants were given free dancing exercise from the students of the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS).
Domogo said that the opening of the Wellness Center is anchored under the Healthy Lifestyle Program of their office. She explained that the PHO conducts advocacy on healthy lifestyle, but they believe that it is more effective if the public will participate. “The opening of the Wellness Center is to help people get well by themselves and maintain their health through good nutrition and exercise. There is no age limit for those who would like to join us. Everybody is invited,” she added.
Also, the program is seen to keep the physical and mental fitness of government employees for an efficient, effective and responsive delivery of public service.
The establishment of the Wellness Center is anchored on Administrative Order No. 0014, S.2016 of the Implementing Guidelines on the Organization of Health Clubs for Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes in Health Facilities by the Department of Health (DOH). However, the PHO repackaged it into Wellness Center so that anybody can be a member. Thus, young or old, male or female, well or unwell and even pregnant women can be members. **Alpine L. Killa
