THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday hailed the passage of Senate Bill No. 2728 aimed at promoting a culture of proper nutrition, and eating habits, and overall health practices among grade school to secondary school students.
“The Commission highlights the significance of this bill as it reinforces the implementation of Article II, Section 15 of the Constitution which declares that ‘the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them,” the CHR said in a statement.
“It also fulfils the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 24, Section 2 (c) which states ‘to combat disease and malnutrition… the application of readily available technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water…,’” the statement read.
The CHR said it is one with the government, the UN and other relevant agencies in recognizing every person as nation-builder with the right to quality, safe and nutritious food, and advocates for a more healthy and equitable nation.
“We call on legislators to advance the passage of SB 2728 and other similar bills as they have the potential to combat malnutrition in the country, promoting the critical role of proper nutrition in nation’s development,” the CHR said.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed SB 2728 to amend Republic Act 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, providing school-based feeding programs for public school children from kindergarten to grade 12 for a minimum of 120 days per year.
The Expanded National Nutrition Survey indicated a high prevalence of stunting among adolescents in rural areas and marginalized households, adding that nutritional deficiencies can impair children’s cognitive development and academic performance, leading to lower-quality learning outcomes and absences from school.
