DOH Strengthens Health Literacy Through Media Conference in Iloilo City

ILOILO City – In a decisive move to counteract health misinformation and drive positive behavioral change, the Department of Health (DOH) engaged media practitioners from Regions 6, 7, 8, and the Negros Island Region in a three-day conference held from July 30 to August 1, 2025, in Iloilo City. Organized by the DOH's Health Promotion Bureau, the event served as a platform to reinforce the department’s 8-Point Action Agenda and equip communicators with tools to effectively promote public health.

Dr. Annabelle Yumang, Regional Director of DOH Region 6, highlighted the critical role of the media during the opening session, stating, "It is truly your voice, your platforms, and your unwavering dedication that empower and inform our communities. The media serves not only as a conveyor of facts but also as a catalyst for meaningful behavior change." She stressed the urgency of addressing health-related misinformation, particularly concerning diseases like tuberculosis and malnutrition, which continue to challenge public health efforts.

The conference also aligned with observances such as National Nutrition Month and National Disaster Resilience Month, addressing timely health concerns linked to these campaigns. HPB Health Education and Promotion Officer IV Jason Roque provided a comprehensive overview of the Health Promotion Framework Strategy, underscoring the importance of strategic communication in encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Ma. Arlene Arbas, Division Chief of the Health Promotion Bureau, emphasized the importance of sustained media collaboration, noting, "It is crucial to build strong and enduring relationships with the media in our shared mission to promote a healthier Philippines."

Contributions from experts such as Mylin Mirasol Quiray of the Commission on Population and Development shed light on pressing demographic challenges affecting health behaviors, including the rise of adolescent pregnancies among minors, an expanding elderly population, and the implications of a below-replacement fertility rate on national development.

The persistent issue of tuberculosis in Western Visayas was underscored, with estimates indicating over 22,000 cases in 2023—substantially higher than reported figures—highlighting the urgent need for improved public awareness and reporting. In parallel, the National Nutrition Council emphasized the detrimental effects of poor dietary habits on workforce productivity, attributing stress, fatigue, and chronic illnesses to unhealthy eating patterns.

Framed within the administration’s "Bagong Pilipinas" governance agenda, the conference reinforced health literacy as a vital pillar for inclusive and sustainable national progress, positioning the media as essential partners in this endeavor.