TUGUEGARAO CITY, March 1 (PIA) — After the successful trial of the biggest looser program of the Department of Health Region 2 (DOH-2) last year, the agency is again set to conduct the “Katawang Pamporma” or KP program in a larger scope involving obese employees of different government line agencies.

The DOH-2 has started the program last year involving their obese employees in weight loose challenge within six months.

Dr. Elsie Pintucan, medical specialist III, said with the success of the activity and seeing its impact not only to the challengers but also to the public who want to seriously loose weight, the health department will involve obese employees from different government line agencies.

The KP program, she said, is a move to combat non-communicable diseases which are considered major public health concern worldwide.

She further stated that statistics show that six out of 10 causes of morbidity in the region are non-communicable diseases.

“This is the very reason why we are conducting activities like this to advocate healthy lifestyle among individuals who are suffering from obesity, who are prone to non-communicable diseases,” the medical specialist said.

She further explained that the second edition of the KP program will focus only to government line agencies for the mean time but on the next editions, they will try to involve those in the civil society organizations, non-government agencies, media, religious and other sectors.

“Several agencies requested us also to conduct the same involving them that is why we planned to launch the second edition by this month of March but it is very hard to manage a very large group for six months,” Pintucan said.

She also laid down the rules that one entry per agency will be allowed who will be given the authority to join regularly in the series of regular exercises in six months period.

The contenders will also be given diet counseling and physical challenge activities which will be scheduled to help the individuals attain their desired body figures.

Although she assured there will be prizes, Dr. Pintucan hesitated to reveal yet the specific prizes to be awarded the winning challengers.