Ermita surprised over No.1 ranking in nutrition monitor

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of barangay Ermita cried foul over reports that the barangay has the most number of malnutrition cases among children zero to 71 months old among barangays in Cebu City.

In a recent monitoring or Operation Timbang conducted by the Cebu City Health Department, Ermita ranked number one among barangays in the city with cases of malnutrition among children.

Other barangays in the top 10 are Mambaling, Buot Taup, Inayawan, Duljo-Fatima, Sapangdaku, Pamutan, Agsungot, Pahina-San Nicolas and Punta Princesa.

But Ermita barangay captain Felicisimo Rupinta believes they did not fall short of health programs for children and have not been remiss in reminding parents of their duties and responsibilities.

“Sakitan ko niana. But we will continue what we are doing to protect the health of our children here,” Rupinta said.

With the help of a non-government organization, the barangay reportedly feeds 300 pre-school children from eight day care centers three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

This reportedly does not include other short term feeding projects conducted by various NGOs at the barangay.

He said the barangay also provides health services regularly wherein medicines and supplies like vitamins are provided to the children for free. At least four health workers also man the health center and are always available for check-ups, Rupinta said.

A health worker who requested anonymity said the problem actually lies on the practice of parents of bringing their children to the center only when they are already severely ill.

Some parents also reportedly refuse to bring their children to feeding programs despite these programs being implemented at the sitios.

Rupinta said he envies other barangays who have not even implemented health programs, but did not make it to the list.

Still, Rupinta acknowledged that if the report is true, poverty remains to be a big factor.

Sixty percent of the barangay’s working population earns an income below the minimum wage. Most residents are engaged in small and medium scale enterprises like ambulant vending at the Carbon Market, Warwick Barracks and Freedom Park. Many also work as trisikad drivers.

“So most of the time, mahabilin ilang mga anak sa balay nga tagaan la’g tag-cinco or tag-diyes kay ang duha ka ginikanan kinahanglan magtrabaho,” Rupinta said.

CHD assistant health coordinator Emma Gaviola, in an earlier interview, said that due to financial difficulty, children do not get the right kind of food at the right amount to sustain their daily nutritional needs.

In Ermita, gambling for fun is also rampant among parents to the point that their responsibilities to their children tend to be neglected.

Rupinta has already ordered a monthly weighing of pre-school children so they can closely monitor their improvement.   (FREEMAN NEWS)