Press Release
November 13, 2009

EAT MORE VEGETABLES, BEAT CHILD
MALNUTRITION--ANGARA URGES PINOYS

With recent studies showing high malnutrition among Filipino children, Sen. Edgardo Angara is launching his advocacy campaign tagged OMG! (Oh My Gulay!) that encourages a healthy, inexpensive diet of fruits and vegetables. Angara urges the country to eat more vegetables to beat child malnutrition, which he refers to as the society's silent killer.

Angara takes action from a World Bank report showing mortality rate of Filipino babies below 5 is three times higher in poor families; and that 31% of pre-school children are malnourished, diminishing their skills development and hampers their learning process.

"Good health remains not only one the most basic goals of humanity and all societies in the world; it is a lifelong process beginning in childhood. This campaign takes extensive awareness and call-to-action against the threats of hunger and malnutrition to our children. It is my moral obligation as policymaker to address the issue of child malnutrition in the country," admits Sen. Angara, former Chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

Angara calls on parents to increase servings of vegetables such as malunggay, kalabasa, sitaw, tomatoes, cassava and corn to their children, and calls on Filipinos to eat vitamin- and mineral-rich crops as the most cost-effective solution to child malnutrition. He believes not only does hunger threaten lives; it also impedes child growth and overall socio-economic development.

"Without proper health, children are unable to realize their development potentials. Eventually, without a physically and mentally strong workforce, there will be little opportunities for productivity and economic growth. There will be no solid foundation on which the nation would stand," he stressed.

Taking inspiration from highly-successful awareness campaigns such as ONE.org and Al Gore's The Inconvenient Truth, OMG! encourages diversified diet that includes high intake of fruits and vegetables. The campaign includes print, music, outdoor, TV, DVD and online media content.

Recently the idea has been echoed in the United States with the First Lady Michelle Obama calling on American children to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in her guesting in the show Sesame Street. In industrialized countries like the United States, vegetables are fast becoming a more preferred option for fitness enthusiasts and the health-conscious.

Angara hopes "the campaign will make a more lasting impact on the people and elicit response to improve child health for Filipinos. Promoting health and nutrition is promoting public good. Supporting this cause is one of the noblest, most worthwhile endeavors for nation-building, particularly for our children."

News Latest News Feed