SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — To tackle health misinformation and strengthen public trust, the Department of Health – Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD1) is intensifying efforts to deliver accurate health information down to the smallest communities through its ‘Reaching Every Purok’ strategy.
Speaking at the recent Kapihan sa Ilocos forum, John Paul Aquino, DOH-CHD 1 Nurse V, said the strategy focuses on bringing verified health information directly to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), with midwives and nurses setting up community education posts alongside regular health services.
“Health promotion is crucial. It’s not just about delivering vaccines — it’s about giving the right information to prevent misinformation and fake news about health services,” Aquino said.
Aquino added that DOH-CHD1 works closely with local government units and community health workers to empower families to make informed health decisions and to ensure accurate advisories reach barangay-level audiences.
Supporting these efforts, school health workers are also active in combating misinformation among students and parents.
Arelie C. Jacildo, Nurse II of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Schools Division Office of La Union, said that they continue to guide students and parents in combating health misinformation.
“As a school nurse, we provide correct information to students and parents through regular health education sessions and parent orientations. We focus on explaining the importance of vaccination, the thorough review process vaccines undergo before being used, and how they help prevent serious illnesses,” Jacildo said.
Jacildo added that they make it a point to address concerns and correct misconceptions using simple explanations to build trust in health programs.
Highlighting the urgency, Aquino reported that as of March 2025, Region 1 recorded 142 suspected measles cases, including 13 confirmed measles infections and five rubella cases.
He stressed that vaccination remains the most effective protection against outbreaks.
DOH Ilocos continues to urge residents to consult legitimate health sources, such as government health centers and official advisories, especially as disease risks increase.
The agency emphasizes that strong health education, paired with accessible services, is key to building a healthier, more resilient “Bagong Pilipinas.” (CCMT/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
