Manila LGU strengthens 'First 1000 Days of Life' nutrition program
The Manila City Council (MCC) announced on Monday, Oct. 9, that it has passed an ordinance to strengthen the “First 1000 Days of Life," a nutrition program for soon-to-be mothers, infants, and young children in the city.
MCC passed the ordinance in a regular session presided over by Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto last Oct. 3.
The city ordinance was filed by Councilor Science Reyes of the city's fourth district and Councilor Ernesto “Jong” C. Isip of the third district.
In her speech, Councilor Reyes stated that the ordinance has been practiced by some couples who want to get married.
With the help of the Manila Health Department, the ordinance aims to orient the soon-to-be mothers about the importance of good nutrition beginning with the first day of pregnancy up to the child’s growing up years.
MCC said it aims to provide optimal health to the children's first 1000 days, also known as the “Golden Window of Opportunity,” where good nutrition must be given to the soon-to-be mother, the infant, or the growing child, to ensure their proper growth and development, starting from the mother's conception to the child’s second birthday.
The ordinance was unanimously approved by members of the MCC and was enacted on the same day.
Nieto believes that this could be a way of ensuring the health of the next generation of young Manileños, as envisioned by the City of Manila’s Responsible Parenthood Program.