This he said in a
radio interview recently. In a separate forum, Evardone also said the
same thought during the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI)
Feedback Conference at the provincial capitol where a report revealed
some nutritional problems in children.
The report of the FNRI
showed that about 32% of zero to five year-old children are
underweight while 37% among six to 10 years old are underweight as
well, due to chronic malnutrition. The findings attributed this
problem mostly to adolescent pregnant and lactating mothers and the
unpopular breastfeeding campaign. It added that the Iodized Salt
utilization is likewise weak in some parts of the province. However,
the researchers found out that there is 72% level of awareness on the
Iodized Salt, but despite that, there is still a low percent
utilization of the commodity.- in fact, this coastal province has high
iron deficiency, it was told. Some mothers reveled though that
sometimes the salt is not available in their locality. FNRI likewise
suspects that it might be in the preservation of the salt that the
nutrient might be lost, hence their advice to place the prime
ingredient in a colored bottle.
With the above
findings, it was recommended that the promotion of proper nutrition
among children be intensified, particularly on breastfeeding,
appropriate supplementary feeding and strengthen Vitamain A supplement
distribution. On top of these, Governor Evardone immediately
instructed the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Sally Jabinal to
formulate an Action Plan which can address the malnutrition problem.
But still, Evardone
believes that should Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s "Food for School
Program" is funded through the 2007 budget, more benefits can be
derived from it, just like the participation of school-aged children,
he said; the program includes the distribution of fortified rice to
children, which in one way or another can encourage a hundred percent
participation. He also suggested to DA Secretary Arthur Yap that more
nutritious food be added to the package as in milk and eggs.
