Bayanihan for Comval’s fight on hunger, malnutrition

COMPOSTELA Valley Province--- To address the problem of hunger and malnutrition in Compostela Valley, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy took up the mounting task of reducing the malnutrition rate in his province, especially among its school children. The Provincial Government of Compostela Valley, along with the Department of Education-Compostela Valley (DEPED Comval) and Gawad Kalinga (GK) recently launched the Bayanihan para sa Kalusugan: Kusina ng Kalinga Program (BPSK-KNK).

The program recently received accolades from different sectors as the governor was invited to become lead panellist of the recently concluded Anti-Hunger Summit held last September 27, 2016 at Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. Joining Gov. Uy are other antihunger advocates like Sen. Win Gatchalian, Sen. Grace Poe, Mayor Susan Ang of San Isidro, Leyte, Mayor Alex Pajarillo of Mercedes, Camarines Norte, members of the academe, several non-government organizations and many others.

Citing the data on Nutritional Status Report School Year 2016-2017, 6726 school children are considered wasted and about 1696 are at a severe level. While there is a decrease, comparatively speaking, from the data of School Year 2015-2016 which records 7535 schoolchildren affected by malnutrition, the considerable number of undernourished still alarms the governor, hence this program.

“Undernutrition is the silent terrorist that attacks children’s health reducing their ability to learn and absorb lessons. Worst, this is a major reason of high dropout rates and low academic performance in both elementary and secondary,” the governor said.

Gov. Uy who is a staunch advocate of education and pro-youth programs even before he became governor, believes that adapting a multitiered approach like feeding program is necessary.