DAVAO CITY, August 18 (PIA) – Socio-Planning Economic Secretary and director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority Ernesto Pernia cited good and proper nutrition for new babies as one of the meaningful economic policies that the government must implement to ensure quality of life for Filipinos.
Speaking to reporters during the press briefing on the Second Quarter Performance of the Philippine Economy, he said the focus of this policy is proper nutrition from the womb to the second year of maturation.
“Those are the first 1,000 days that are critical to ensure human development of individuals,” Pernia said. He observed that during this stage, the poor is at the disadvantage compared to those living in the higher economic level of the society.
Pernia said children must be taken care of properly by providing them proper nourishment during the first 1,000 days up to six years old for them to fully accomplish their human potentials. “We really have to emphasize poverty reduction and make sure that parents are made aware of these issues like investment in quality education and health care, beyond the early growing years of children,” he stated.
Pernia welcomed the seven percent growth in the Gross Domestic Product during the second quarter of 2016 calling it an upbeat start of the Duterte administration.
He said the growth goes along the market expectations and has been projected by international economic organizations. Acting Deputy Director General Rosemarie Edillon emphasized the 10-point economic agenda of the Duterte administration that gives importance to a more comprehensive agricultural development in the regions and in the countryside.
She said the comprehensive agricultural development will focus on food security, improved quality of life for Filipinos, and food on the table.
Edillion also cited the need for greater resilience from climate change, given that the agriculture has been on consistent decline for more than a year, due to its vulnerability to disasters. “The resilience especially of the households that depend on agriculture on livelihood must also be addressed,” she said. (PIA-11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)