The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) is encouraging Bacolodnons to undergo blood pressure screening in barangay health stations, in observance of the Philippine Heart Month.
In 2025 alone, there were 2,989 hypertensive patients aged 20 to 59 and 4,025 others aged 60 and above as indicated in the city’s records under the Philippine Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Intervention (PhilPEN) Risk Assessment.
Dr. Carr Cedric Ocampo, medical coordinator of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said on Tuesday these figures are higher compared to the cases recorded in 2024, based on PhilPEN Risk Assessment Screening tool.
“Any increase in cases is alarming. Hypertension commonly does not have symptoms thus, we highly encourage Bacolodnons to cooperate with our barangay health stations’ screening program for early detection and regular blood pressure monitoring,” he added.
Ocampo also underscored the importance of daily exercises and diet control to prevent hypertension.
As part of the Philippine Hearth Month activities, the city’s barangay health stations hold weekly zumba sessions while the PhilPEN risk assessment service is provided year-round by barangay healthcare workers.
“Every health station in Bacolod offers blood pressure monitoring and medical consultation. The CHO fully supports activities geared towards a healthy heart for a healthy life,” Ocampo said.
February is recognized as Philippine Heart Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 1096.*
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