GUIMARAS—First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the recent launch of the Children’s First 1,000-Day Coalition (CFDC) in this island province in a bid to vigorously push the fight against malnutrition. focusing on the critical early years of child development.
The CFDC initiative aims to support 34 nutritionally at-risk mothers across 12 barangays in San Lorenzo town.
According to CFDC national chairman Jose Lina, the beneficiaries were identified by local health workers with an eye on significant neglect during the first 1,000 days of the children’s lives, often due to poverty and other factors.
Lina pointed out that the program’s strategy involves raising awareness about the importance of nutrition of the babies’ first 1,000 days.
The initiative will provide direct interventions to mothers and children to ensure they receive adequate healthcare and nutrition, the CFDC said.
This includes strict monitoring of food supplements throughout pregnancy, six months of exclusive breastfeeding, transitioning to semi-solid and solid foods, and mandatory vaccinations as necessary.
Lina and a representative from the San Lorenzo local government unit signed a formal agreement to solidify their commitment to the program.
The results of this pilot program will inform broader improvements and expansion plans into other regions such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol, where malnutrition rates are notably high, according to the National Nutrition Council data.
Expressing gratitude to Mrs. Marcos for her personal involvement in the regional launch, Lina stressed the need for a comprehensive, unified approach to addressing malnutrition.
“We need an all-government and all-society approach. All hands on deck because this problem of malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life is a serious issue. Unless solved, the quality of our people, especially the young, will be compromised,” Lina said.
He also emphasized the program’s goal to make children brighter, taller, and stronger, aiming for complete government and NGO collaboration by November.
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Melquiades Robles noted that the First Lady personally chose this advocacy after discussions about the program.
Marcos also aimed to integrate the CFDC with her “Lab for All” project, which seeks to bring government services closer to the people.
The launch was attended by prominent figures, including Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Western Visayas Regional Development Council head and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez, Guimaras Gov. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava, and heads of various regional line agencies, highlighting the collective support for the initiative.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline First Lady Liza Marcos launches major anti-malnutrition initiative in Guimaras