More focused drive vs. malnutrition underway in Camiguin

by Jorie C. Valcorza

Cagayan de Oro City (19 September) — A more focused drive against malnutrition is underway in the 10 pilot barangays of Camiguin under the Early Childhood Care and Development project of the National Council for the Welfare of Children, and provincial and municipal governments.

Earlier, each of the five municipalities of the province identified two most depressed barangays as pilot areas based on the prevalence of malnutrition, maternal and infant mortality rate, and the population of 0-6 years old children.

Under the project, more emphasis is given to 0 to 6 years old children as it is the most critical stage of child’s development, while day care centers and barangay health stations in these areas are being rehabilitated to address the early education and psycho-social needs of the affected children.

Each barangay health station was allocated P200,000, while day care centers were given P150,000 for the purpose, including the infusion of medicines and upgrading of health services.

Livelihood projects are likewise being extended to parents of affected children enrolled at the recipient day care centers.

All service providers are also undergoing trainings on capability-building.

At the same time, Governor Pedro P. Romualdo has committed to put up a Child Minding Center to assist the mothers working at the Provincial Capitol.

Agnes Bohol, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, which spearheads the project, said they have already strengthened the ECCD coordinating committee prior to the full implementation of project.

Once the project’s term ends, the local government units are expected to continue the ECCD program or even replicate it in other barangays.

In a related development, Senator Ralph Recto is now pushing for a debt-for-nutrition swap that will put food in the mouth of some seven million famished children under the age of 10. (PIA 10)