Rep. Romero: House panel holding summit to address malnutrition, child stunting woes
1-Pacman party-list Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ committee on poverty alleviation will hold a summit on malnutrition and child stunting, 1-Pacman party-list Representative and committee chairman Mikee Romero said on Saturday.
This summit, according Romero, will be conducted shortly after Congress begins its second regular session on Monday.
“We want to address these interconnected problems, along with hunger and poverty, and recommend solutions. We intend to give them top priority,” Romero said in a statement.
He pointed out that proper nutrition has a “big and long-lasting” effect on child growth and health, and even on budget allocation and national development.
Romero said malnutrition and child stunting are major hindrances to national development and competitiveness.
In order for the committee to come up with a holistic approach to solving these prevalent problems, they are planning to invite representatives from other government agencies and groups including the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health, as well as the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) to the summit.
Citing a report from MAP, Romero stressed that the Philippines ranks fifth among countries in East Asia and the Pacific in terms of the prevalence of child stunting.
“Rural areas have more stunted children than urban areas. Stunting rates are highest in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (45 percent) and lowest in Manila and Central Luzon (23 percent),” he said.
