Dagupan City PDLs participated and showcased their talents in preparing and cooking various meals based on the criteria and guidelines of the DASH eating plan.
DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) – Ilocos region in partnership with the Dagupan Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DTRC) conducted the People-Centered Activity “Ka-Heartner Mo Sa Kusina: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Recipe and Cooking Contest which was actively participated by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Dagupan City on May 31, 2024.
The activity aimed to actively promote a flexible and balanced eating plan that will help create a heart-healthy eating style for life.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated that persons deprived of liberty (PDL) also have the right to adequate and sufficient nutrition with due consideration to their cultural and religious beliefs. “Kasama na rin dito and kanilang special diet kung sila ay may mga medical condition.”
“We chose to implement the activity among our PDLs to introduce and recommend the preparation of diets that prevents hypertension and other non-communicable diseases. Unhealthy eating habits increases the risk developing lifestyle diseases. Importante na lahat ay magkaroon ng kaalaman sa tamang nutrisyon at tamang paraan ng pagluluto upang ito ay madala at maipamahagi nila sa kanilang paglaya at bahagi rin ito ng proseso ng kanilang rehabilitasyon pagbalik sa Lipunan,” Sydiongco emphasized.
A total of ten (10) groups participated in the cook fest and six (6) were chosen as semifinalists. The first prize winner received P5,000, the second prize with P4,000, and the third with P3,000. A consolation prize of P1,000 was given to non-winners.
BJMP Jail Chief Inspector Lito S. Lam-Osen disclosed that 83 out of the total 591 inmates have hypertension. “We are thankful for the facilitators for implementing this campaign for the first time in a jail setting. The fact that PDLs have limited movement and some have already manifested cardiovascular diseases, imparting the significance of a healthy diet and diet contributes to the rehabilitation of our PDLs while they are temporarily detained.”
“With this campaign, they can be aware of the importance of healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.”
The DASH Diet and recipe cooking contest also targeted geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Region 1 particularly in Brgy Borobor in Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, Brgy Escoda in Marcos, Ilocos Norte and Brgy Liquicia in Caba, La Union.
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