By Analou De Vera

The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to always stay calm while on the road as they are expected to brace for heavy traffic with the holiday season fast approaching.

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (CZAR DANCEL / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

“Do not curse the traffic because if you do that your blood pressure will shoot up and you might suffer from heart attack. You cannot do anything about it (heavy traffic),” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview.

Duque said that losing their temper will not make their travel “any faster or any more comfortable,” adding that the public should have to be “smart.”

Duque advise the public to do something else while being stuck on the road.

“When stuck in traffic, pray the rosary, read books, bring your documents, use your laptops…Turn your cars or buses or jeeps into your mobile office. Do what needs to be done,” he said.

The health chief also encouraged individuals to just stay indoors if they do not have important matters to attend outside.

“Just stay at home. Do your transactions via electronic devices,” he said.

In a related development, health experts encouraged the public to wear a protective mask to guard themselves against air pollution.

“Unfortunately, talagang polluted na yung hangin natin. It will be good kung magma-mask na tayo talaga pag nacocommute,” said Dr. Jorge Ignacio, medical oncologist at the Philippine General Hospital.

[Unfortunately, our air is already polluted. It will be good if we will wear a mask if we are commuting.]

Exposure to air pollution can cause diseases like lung cancer, asthma, and pneumonia, among others, said Dr. Priscilla Caguioa, medical oncologist at the University of Sto. Tomas.

It is also important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, said Dr. Buenaventura Ramos Jr., incoming president of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology.

“Choose your food, you choose the way you live your life.– Exercise. A honed person is not just the body—you have the mind, your body, and your spirit— take care of all those things so you become healthy,” noted Ramos.