By LITO RULONA Correspondent CAMP Alagar will implement a weight loss program aimed at challenging officers in northern Mindanao to keep fit and become health conscious. Supt. Surki Sereñas, Camp Alagar spokesman, said the challenge is to promote physical fitness to effectively fight crimes especially during the next administration. Sereñas said the challenge would start at Camp Alagar and then to the town, city and provincial police offices He said this is part of the National Police’s Health Awareness Campaign and Pulis Pangkalusugan Program of the PNP Health Service. “Today’s lifestyle and environmental conditions have made millions of us deficient in various nutrients needed for best health resulting in risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity,” he said. He said the basis in subjecting officers to the challenge will be the body mass index to be determined by the police’s medical division. The division would conduct body assessment, and those found to be obese would be asked to take the challenge. “Naa sab ta’y standard nga ginasunod kung sa imong gitas-on duna kay appropriate weight. Kinahanglan proportion,” Sereñas said. He said the program would include weekly health education lectures about weight, calories, exercises, hydration, meals, metabolism and stress. “The target is that they will lose one kilo per month. Naa ni siya’y monetary reward adtong mo-succeed,” Sereñas said. Sereñas said police regional director Chief Supt. Lyndel Desquitado approved the advocacy to promote a healthier lifestyle among the officers. He pointed out that the program would also give police personnel a perspective that there is more about health other than physical exercises, and that the awareness has to be rekindled in order to reach their potentials as public servants. “The PNP, being one of the community-based agencies, must be transformed physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually since they have the most involvement in the community,” he said. Sereñas said the program will continue despite the scheduled retirement of Desquitado. “This would become a regular program. Kadtong dili mag-lose weight duna’y monetary penalty. Bayad ang pulis nga dili moeduce. This is a local initiative, and it would become a regular program,” he said.