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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gov't urged to implement stronger action vs rising stunting rate in Filipino children

Gov't urged to implement stronger action vs rising stunting rate in Filipino children

Published Nov 20, 2024 04:24 am

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the government to reassess its programs and consider new approaches to tackle the rising rate of stunting among Filipino children.


 

Cayetano made the call during the Senate’s deliberation on the proposed 2025 budget for Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday (November 19) night.


 

Early intervention, the senator said, is still important in securing the nation’s future.


 

“We all agree that prevention is better than cure. Marami sa stunted, sila rin ang  (Most of these stunted, they are the) future PWDs (persons with disabilities),” Cayetano pointed out.


 

“The more that we take care of the stunting (problem) now, the less we have to spend on the interventions later on,” the lawmaker stressed.


 

While the DSWD plays a significant role in addressing the problem, he said a whole government approach is imperative if the state is bent on lowering the stunting rates in 2025.


 

He said agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs) should collaborate with the DSWD in crafting more targeted and effective policies against stunting.


 

Cayetano, likewise, called on the DSWD to identify underfunded programs or pilot new initiatives in the areas most affected by stunting.

 

“Is there any other program which is there but is underfunded that the DSWD can focus on or launch to prevent stunting?” he said.


 

“This is a discussion with the whole of government. The DSWD plays a significant role, but I’d like to ask if we can try something in 2025 to really lower the numbers,” Cayetano said during the budget deliberations.


 

He noted that despite the increased funding for feeding programs and health initiatives, the impact in reducing stunting remains minimal.


 

The senator warned of the long-term consequences of malnutrition such as developmental delays, chronic illnesses, and limited economic opportunities in adulthood.

 

“You are basically talking about two-third of our future population, because if one-third of our children is stunted, they won’t be able to access such government programs,” he said.

Related Tags

Alan Peter Cayetano Stunting DSWD DOH
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