00:00President Ferdinand R. Marquez Jr. has already announced that the government's campaign against malnutrition and obesity is still underway.
00:07And these efforts should start while Clayzel Pardilia is still in San Juan, Balita.
00:18It's hard to spend five months of his monthly allowance after quitting his job.
00:25He can't afford to buy vitamins, and he can't afford to get his mother's vaccine.
00:31The vitamins that I take are free from my previous job.
00:37My husband's income is not enough for his daily needs.
00:43Jura May is trying to provide enough food and vitamins to her husband, who is six months pregnant.
00:51He doesn't want his wife to have the same fate as their eldest son, who became sick.
00:58I got sick because I didn't have enough vitamins.
01:00That's why now...
01:02That's why I'm working hard to get better.
01:06You really need to prioritize.
01:08Why are you trying so hard to get enough vitamins?
01:13It's just for the baby.
01:15With the help of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the government agencies,
01:21the executive board is focusing on fighting malnutrition.
01:26He ordered the provision of sufficient nutrition for the first 1,000 days of the baby,
01:32from the time he was born until the 24th month of the baby.
01:36The emphasis should be on the first 1,000 days, which involves a pregnant mother.
01:42The fetus is inside the uterus.
01:46They'll be given micronutrients, mainly iron, folic acid,
01:52and then the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine.
01:56And then when the baby is born,
01:58there should be a mandatory initiation of breastfeeding.
02:02According to the health department,
02:04this is important because it came out in a study that
02:08three out of every ten children under the age of five
02:12are malnourished due to malnutrition in the first 1,000 days.
02:17The problem is not the baby.
02:19The problem is the low cognitive ability.
02:21The brain is weak because the brain development happens in the first 1,000 days.
02:26President Marcos ordered the National Nutrition Council
02:30to prioritize programs that will ensure the health and well-being of the children.
02:36This includes providing free but nutritious food, vitamins, vaccines, and regular check-ups.
02:42Starting in 2026, the budget will be made convergent
02:46to focus on the proper nutrition of the children.
02:49This means that the funds of various government agencies will be combined for a goal.
02:56Currently, the budget of the health department is around Php 0.5 billion
03:00for the first 1,000 days of the children.
03:03It is expected that joint action will be taken to address malnutrition.
03:09Some areas that have a high malnutrition rate will be prioritized,
03:14such as Pangasinan, Isabela, Northern Summer, Bangsamoro, and other provinces.
03:20Kalei Zalfardilia for Pambansang TV in the new Philippines.
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