CEBU, Philippines - To address the increasing problem of malnutrition in Cebu City, the City Council has asked government agencies concerned with health to attend a public hearing on March 12 to discuss and review the city’s feeding program.
Those invited include the Department of Social Welfare and Services, DSWD, Accelerated Social Amelioration Fund, Cebu City Nutrition Council, Federation of Cebu City Daycare Workers and the Association of Barangay Councils.
In a privilege speech during the Council’s recent regular session, City Councilor Alvin Dizon said he is “quite disturbed” with the story in THE FREEMAN regarding the current state of the health of children in Cebu City.
The report, which was based on the 2013 Operation Timbang of the National Nutrition Council among preschoolers in Region 7, says Cebu City has the most number of malnourished children in Central Visayas.
“Based on the survey results, Cebu City had the most malnourished children with 3,359 or 2.98 percent of the 112,245 preschoolers; 670 or 0.06% “severely underweight. Mandaue City came second with 922 out of the 45,421children or 2.03% were underweight and 306 or .67 percent as severely underweight. Giuhulngan City in Negros Oriental was third with 884 of its children or 7.75 percent of the 11,404 were underweight and 265 were severely underweight,” The Freeman reported.
Dizon said it is disturbing that while Cebu City is recognized as the most progressive city in the region, it has failed to address one component, which is the development of the health of children.
“What happened to the city’s Accelerated Social Amelioration Fund, which was supposedly established to provide feeding programs and other activities to curb malnutrition?” he asked, citing an irony in the city’s 2015 budget proposal.
“In its proposed 2015 annual budget, the executive department wanted to buy some P571 million worth of motor vehicles” while only P500,000 was budgeted for milk feeding for underweight children.
Dizon said the city government should review and evaluate its priorities.
“The right to health for our children is paramount because these children are the future of our city and this country. The state of our children reflects the future of our city,” he said.
“Ang kaugmaon sa atong Dakbayan atong masukod kung giunsa nato pag amuma ang atong Kabataan,” he added.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo asked the local and national nutrition council to bring data on the state of malnutrition in the city, saying information would help in drafting his proposed ordinance to provide nutritious meals to all day care centers in Cebu City.
Councilor Margarita Osmeña, meanwhile, asked that the city treasurer be invited to the session so the Council can be updated on the collection of ASAP funds. (FREEMAN)