MANILA -- Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin said her advice for women not to wear underwear at home has been taken out of context.

According to Garin, she was asked about the shortage of antibiotics amid the rise in fungal infection in women, adding that those suffering from fungal infection should not take antibiotics, which are meant for bacterial infection.

"Ang usapin na ito, may nagtanong, bakit daw dumarami ang fungal infection ng mga babae, bakit daw kinukulang ng antibiotic. Sinagot ko na maling mali 'yun, kasi kapag may fungal infection ang babae, hindi pwede na antibiotic, kasi ang antibiotic para sa bacteria. So kapag uminom ka ng antibiotic at may fungal infection ka, lalong lalala 'yung iyong fungal infection," she told Teleradyo Serbisyo Tuesday afternoon.

Garin also said her advice of not wearing underwear at home or when sleeping is only to lessen the risk of fungal infection, especially due to the hot weather.

"Pero dahil tag-init, talagang darami ang fungal infection dahil 'yang fungi na 'yan, na tinatawag nating Candida albicans, ay natural na nakatira sa balat ng tao. So lahat 'yan nasa balat pero kapag ikaw ay may pawis, 'yung pawis o 'yung konting basa, ay nagiging trigger para dumami, manganak nang manganak 'yung fungi, at nagiging impeksyon," she said.

"At nagiging masyadong makati 'yun, at uncomfortable sa babae kaya ang advice, kapag masyadong mainit ang panahon, prone sa fungal infection ang babae. Kung ikaw naman ay nasa bahay at matutulog, magshort ka o magpajama without the underwear, because that ventilation prevents the rapid multiplication of the fungi that naturally occurs on your skin," Garin added.

Garin, who is also a former secretary of the Department of Health, earlier advised women not to wear underwear at home to prevent fungal infection.

Lawmaker urges women to skip panties at home

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also advised women suffering from candidiasis to use cotton underwear.

DOH urges women to wear cotton undies to combat candidiasis amid intense heat