Kuya Bong backs plan vs malnutrition
Under the Duterte administration, the government enacted several laws and launched various programs aimed at combating malnutrition.
Daily TribuneUnder the Duterte administration, the government enacted several laws and launched various programs aimed at combating malnutrition.
Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go. | photograph courtesy of SBG
Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go recently expressed his support for the recently launched "Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028," as it is a pivotal advancement in the country's ongoing battle against malnutrition.
The plan, spearheaded by Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., was officially unveiled on Monday.
The senator — who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health — was keen to point out that this initiative must build upon the solid foundation laid by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing hunger and malnutrition while overcoming the adverse effects of the pandemic.
"Programs like the First 1,000 Days were instrumental in addressing malnutrition during the most crucial stages of a child's life. This new plan is a continuation of that legacy, and I am proud to support it," Go said.
Herbosa, who also chairs the National Nutrition Council Governing Board, emphasized the importance of nutrition in the early stages of life.
"Nutrition is most critical in the first 1,000 days of life — from day one of pregnancy and up to the second year of birth of a child. If left neglected, poor nutrition results in child stunting, which is irreversible, and more importantly, poor brain development," Herbosa said.
Under the Duterte administration, the government enacted several laws and launched various programs aimed at combating malnutrition. Among these were the School-Based Feeding Program, which provided nutritious meals to undernourished public school children, and Republic Act 11148 or the "First 1,000 Days" law, which focused on maternal and child health during the earliest days of life.
The new PPAN outlines a comprehensive approach to tackle malnutrition, focusing on three major interventions: increasing the availability and access to nutritious food, promoting social and behavioral change for better feeding practices, and improving access to quality nutrition services.
