President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 鈥擬ARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed local officials to do more to address the country鈥檚 鈥渃omplex nutritional challenges鈥� as part of the whole government鈥檚 action against malnutrition.
Mr. Marcos admitted that despite the country鈥檚 significant progress, 鈥渋t cannot be denied that the Philippines continues to face complex nutritional challenges.鈥�
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鈥淢alnutrition exists at alarming levels across different stages of life throughout our country. And this has multifarious effects,鈥� the President said at the 2024 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City on Friday.
The President then cited the role of local officials in boosting the government鈥檚 鈥渦rgent, decisive and multisectoral action鈥� to combat malnutrition, especially among children.
鈥淚, once again, urge all local chief executives: commit to providing your counterpart investments in nutrition, especially for nutritionally at-risk pregnant mothers, for the First 1,000 Days of Life of children and beyond. It is essential that adequate health and nutrition interventions are integrated into the Annual Investment Plan of each local government unit,鈥� Mr. Marcos said.
The First 1,000 Days of Life is a cash grant program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Eligible pregnant women and children under two years old from 4Ps households will receive a P350 monthly grant to ensure that they will seek health services for themselves and their children鈥檚 health needs in the first 10,000 days of life.
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鈥淚nvesting in human capital is the key to securing our nation鈥檚 future. Therefore, let us intensify our commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition by looking after the welfare of our people鈥攅specially pregnant women, mothers and their children,鈥� the President said.