ILOILO City – This city will take center stage in the country’s battle against cardiovascular diseases as it hosts the national launch of the Healthy Hearts Program 2025, coinciding with the Philippine celebration of World Heart Day on September 29.
The city was selected by the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to spearhead this year’s campaign, aiming to curb the rising cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) — the leading cause of death both globally and in the Philippines.
Officials from the DOH, WHO, local government units, and public health advocates gathered on May 16 to finalize preparations for the milestone event. The coordination meeting focused on ensuring that the campaign would be inclusive, community-driven, and backed by effective, science-based interventions.
A wide range of activities will be rolled out leading up to World Heart Day, including free blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings, nutritional counseling, risk assessments, and fitness sessions.
Health forums and educational campaigns will also be conducted to promote practical lifestyle changes, especially among high-risk populations.
According to the DOH, over 120,000 Filipinos die annually due to cardiovascular-related conditions, with hypertension, poor diet, and physical inactivity being key contributors.
The Healthy Hearts Program 2025 aims to address these risk factors by empowering local government units to deliver sustainable and preventive health services at the grassroots level.
By serving as the national launch site, Iloilo City is expected to model effective community-based strategies in promoting heart health and preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), potentially setting a benchmark for replication in other regions./PN
