From the quality of the air, you breathe to the condition of the roads you drive on, environmental factors can have a major influence on your health. What’s more, these factors have evolved considerably over time, due to both natural and human-caused events. Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declares September 26, as World Environmental Health day in the Philippines under the proclamation 595.

The National Nutrition Council Region XII joins this year’s celebration of World Environmental Health Day with a theme “Prioritizing Environmental Health for healthier communities in global recovery”

We are going through difficult times, due to COVID-19, declared by the WHO as Pandemic. This Pandemic has come to demonstrate the vital role of the Environmental Health workforce worldwide to face this challenging time for all of humanity. Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many other illnesses including COVID-19. These hazards can be physical, such as pollution, toxic chemicals, and food contaminants, or they can be social, such as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban sprawl, and poverty.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a further reminder of the delicate relationship between people and our planet. Clean air, stable climate, adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy and safe workplaces, sound agricultural practices, health-supportive cities and built environments, and a preserved nature are all prerequisites for good health and nutrition.

The Philippine National Government in regard to environmental health concerns have exerted efforts and created the following programs.

• Drinking-water supply, Sanitation (e.g excreta, sewage and septage management)
• Zero Open Defecation Program (ZODP)
• Food Sanitation, Air Pollution (indoor and ambient)
• Chemical Safety
• WASH in Emergency situations
• Climate Change for Health and Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

Moreover, we really need to understand that while fighting this pandemic, our environmental health plays a big role. As we advocate to fight COVID-19 pandemic, reminding ourselves to wash our hands, wear mask, keep 1 meter social distancing, and always sanitize our things, let us also not forget to maintain and keep our environment clean for a healthy and more productive society.

(KP/AMF)