TALISAY CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — More than 2,000 participants gathered in Negros Occidental as the Mercury Drug Foundation brought its nationwide campaign against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to the province for the first time.
The 14th Walk for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Awareness was held on May 16 at The District North Point along the National Highway in Talisay City, bringing together community members and health advocates for an event focused on raising awareness about diseases that remain major health concerns in the Philippines.
The large turnout underscored the growing importance of encouraging Filipinos to pay greater attention to preventive health, healthy lifestyles and early detection.
Mercury Drug Foundation takes campaign to Negros
The Negros Occidental event marked the first time the annual NCD awareness walk was held in the province, according to Unilab’s report on the initiative.
For the Mercury Drug Foundation, the walk forms part of its continuing advocacy to promote greater public awareness of non-communicable diseases and encourage communities to take an active role in protecting their health.
Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are generally not transmitted from person to person. They include major conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly identified NCDs as a major global health challenge, with prevention and early intervention playing important roles in reducing their impact.
Why NCD awareness matters
The campaign comes at a time when health organizations continue to emphasize prevention.
Risk factors associated with many NCDs include tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful alcohol use. Some risks can be reduced through healthier lifestyle choices, while regular medical consultations can help identify health problems earlier.
That makes community-based awareness programs important: they can encourage people to view health not simply as something to address when illness occurs, but as something that requires consistent attention.
More than a walk
The event was not simply about completing a route.
The gathering provided an opportunity to bring the discussion of chronic diseases directly into the community, encouraging participants to become more conscious of their long-term health.
The strong participation in Talisay also demonstrated how health advocacy can bring together different sectors around a shared message of prevention and wellness.
With more than 2,000 people participating, the Negros Occidental edition became a significant milestone for the foundation’s NCD-awareness campaign.
A reminder to put prevention first
The campaign’s message extends beyond a single event.
NCDs can develop gradually and may not always produce obvious symptoms in their early stages. Regular checkups, appropriate screening, physical activity, balanced nutrition and other healthy habits can all form part of a broader approach to reducing health risks.
For communities such as those in Negros Occidental, bringing health-awareness initiatives closer to residents can help make those conversations more visible and accessible.
The thousands who walked in Talisay sent a simple message: when it comes to non-communicable diseases, awareness is not just a campaign — it can be the first step toward prevention.
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