The Department of Health–Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) on Friday renewed its call for the public to support the “Ligtas Christmas 2025” campaign aimed at ensuring a safe celebration of Christmas and New Year holidays.
The agency underscored the need to avoid common holiday “bad habits” that pose risks to health and safety.
“We should not allow our health to suffer because of unsafe practices we have grown accustomed to during the holidays,” DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Lester Tan said during his speech at the campaign launch in Valenzuela City.
“The true spirit of Christmas is not measured by extravagant feasts and vices, but by safety, discipline, and care for one another,” he added.
Among the unhealthy behaviors the agency warned against are excessive consumption of the “4Ms” — matamis (sweets), maalat (salty), mataba (fatty) and mamantika (oily) foods — which can trigger hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
The agency also cautioned against heavy alcohol intake, smoking and vaping inside homes and public spaces, lack of physical activity and sleep deprivation due to extended gatherings and screen time.
Data from the DOH-MMCHD Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Section showed that in the fourth quarter of last year, the National Capital Region recorded 50,502 adults assessed to have hypertension, 16,279 with Type 2 diabetes, 110,613 who were overweight or obese, 37,936 binge drinkers, and 25,577 smokers.
The region likewise reported 422 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) from Dec. 21, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025. This is a 31 percent increase from the previous year.
To counter these risks, the DOH-MMCHD is urging families to embrace healthier celebrations through “TED”—Tamang Pagkain, Ehersisyo, at Disiplina.
This includes cutting down on the 4Ms, avoiding excessive alcohol, maintaining regular meal schedules, and observing safe food-handling practices such as proper handwashing.
