In celebration of World No Smoking Month in June this year, the administration and staff of Juan M. Alberto Memorial District Hospital (JMAMDH) headed by the Chief of Hospital Dr. Ma. Bessie Zafe coordinated with San Andres Vocational School (SAVS) to conduct awareness campaign for the people of the community.
In June 26, 2015, staff from JMAMDH with SAVS faculty and students conducted a number of activities to raise awareness against cigarette smoking. The series of activities started with a parade around the town proper with the participants carrying posters and banners containing statements against cigarette smoking.
A short opening program was held after the parade. In the program, JMAMDH's Smoking Cessation Coordinator Ms. Salvacion V. Cervantes sent a strong message to the students and school personnel about the disastrous effects of cigarrette smoke to a person's health. She also shared some information on how smokers could seek help through their center at the JMAMDH.
The hospital staff also sponsored contests paticipated in by the students, which includes slogan-making, poster-making, and jingle-writing and singing. All contests centered around the theme "Take the first step to quit smoking today."
In the slogan-making, Charlotte Benedicto (10-Rizal) won first place, while Neka Hidalgo (10-Rizal) won first place in the poster-making contest. Jeffrey Cayabyab (9-Aguinaldo) won as first place in jingle-writing and singing - individual category and a group of six Grade 7 students (7 - Diamond) won in the group category.
All winners received gift items from JMAMDH.
