29/04/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐จ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
The Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) SOCCSKSARGEN Region capacitated the Philippine National Police (PNP) on MPOWER package, a set of six evidence-based strategies recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce to***co use and its health consequences, on April 14-16, 2026 at the Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.
This activity aimed to capacitate enforcers in effectively implementing health-related policies and ordinances through MPOWER-based strategies and build their capacity on the method of conducting a BTI session among clients, co-workers, family members, and friends who are to***co users.
Jenelyn Ellie Ventura, Development Management Officer IV of the Provincial DOH Office of Sarangani and General Santos (PDOHO-SARGEN), and Lera Duldoco, Nurse IV of the Provincial Health Office of Sarangani, both discussed the MPOWER strategy.
Meanwhile, Warren Jay Nantes from the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office XII, detailed the Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Ni****ne and Non-Ni****ne Products Regulation Act.
Furthermore, Marlow Anthony Buenacosa of the City Health Office-Tacurong shared their LGUโs best practices on the implementation of the to***co and v**e control program emphasizing a holistic approach.
In addition, participants learned evidence-based strategies in conducting brief to***co intervention to help individuals quit smoking. They translated their newly-gained knowledge through an interactive role playing depicting different patient stages: those who are not ready to quit, those who are ready to quit, and those experiencing a relapse.
This initiative is part of DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGENโs efforts to address the alarming rates of to***co use and promote healthier lifestyles. By strengthening enforcersโ ability to monitor violations and provide cessation services, the region takes a step closer to a healthier, smoke-free environment for everybody.
MPOWER stands for (1) monitor to***co use, (2) protect people from to***co smoke, (3) offer help to quit, (4) warn about dangers, (5) enforce bans on advertising, and (6) raise taxes on to***co.