First of all thank you to my Di1’s that are in the Philippines, they are the reason this reaction is even happening in the first place.

This is an article from the Manila times, and as you can see above, it’s about the high prices driving malnutrition stunting in the Philippines.

So I’m going to go through what has been said, and then react to it!

P.S: The article I’m reacting to was written by Jenica-Faye Garcia.

HIGH prices of nutritious food are the main reason for the rising cases of malnutrition and stunting among Filipino children, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said.

The MAP’s Campaign Against Malnutrition and Child Stunting (Camacs) aired the concern during their general membership meeting Thursday.

The group’s recent survey showed that most Filipinos have a high level of awareness of malnutrition and stunting, but are unable to access nutritious food due to poverty.

I mean duhhh, they are starving, and not growing…

I think they are going to notice, and feel the effects, give them some credit sheesh.

The Camacs said the nationwide survey, conducted from August 1 to 4 with 120,000 respondents, showed awareness of malnutrition at 25.1 percent and stunting at 21.1 percent.

Despite the high awareness, high food prices make it difficult for most Filipino families to access nutritious food for their children.

I mean to put this into context, the UK malnutrition is at 5 percent, China 2.5 percent, USA 3.4, Thailand 13.4 etc, are much lower, even though the Philippines is not the highest in the world/in Asia itself, it’s still far too high & that’s hard to read, as it’s sooo sad.

Gatekeeping nutrition, so that children are not being fed is awful, and not just the child, any human being, we aww for the children but for adults it’s like get the money, but if pay is too low, then the prices must go down, but corruption and all that makes it go higher and higher, and the pay packets lower SMH.

It was followed by limited, little or no availability of fresh produce in their areas, a lack of transportation to buy or get healthy food options, and limited, little or no knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating.

Heartbreaking, oh man… Little or no availability to fresh produce, and you have a government no doubt stuffing their faces with these fresh produce, lack of transportation again the government will be fine though, not only just healthy options… THE ONLY OPTION!

It’s food, the other stuff is not, it’s killing them, it’s not enough that they don’t have the basics, but now you are letting them starve, or eat very little, whilst you eat.. Disgusting.

Keep them with no knowledge, and keep them in check right ? Governments suck point blank . (That was not a full stop IFYKYK but this is) .

Majority or 48.4 percent of the respondents said that they could eat vegetables and fruits only two to six times a week, followed by 36.3 percent on a daily basis and 10.7 percent only once a week.

That is not good, nearly half! That needs to go down, where is the plan in place for this ?

As for meat consumption, 52.1 percent said they can afford to eat meat two to six times a week, while 28.5 percent answered they can afford to eat meat once a week.

The poll found that 36.5 percent consume processed food once a week and 34.5 percent get fast food two to six times a week.

You see how the percentage rise for the trash ?

Don’t tell me that it’s pure luck, they know exactly what they are doing, this is abuse of the highest order.

Businesses and companies were also called to act on necessary reforms and initiatives to promote nutrition aside from feeding programs, which were shown as the only top initiative known by Filipinos coming from the private sector.

So, the answer to my question was very little SMH.

Food companies and restaurants were urged to offer healthier food options or promote nutritious meals on their menus.

They must also indicate the nutritional content of their food products and beverages, and sponsor community education programs.

It seems in every country the statement above is used, it’s not by mistake, these food companies are being forced to tell you the truth, hence they don’t want you to be educated on nutrition, so you want to know what they are feeding you.

“Awareness isn’t synonymous with action; while awareness is high, it must be accompanied by action. Barriers obstruct the transition from knowledge to implementation, evident in understanding malnutrition, stunting and the importance of a child’s first 1,000 days,” the MAP said.

“Beyond sporadic initiatives, sustainable resolutions tackling root causes like education, health care, sanitation, women’s empowerment and poverty reduction are essential,” it added.

I agree with everything, but to just isolate and talk about women’s rights though ?, this has nothing to do with anything, on this topic lol.

How about the rights of all that are suffering first, let’s get the food on the table, then give them this energy for women’s rights after, at the moment too many are starving, that takes more importance right now, as human lives are being lost via death, I know it’s an issue close to you as you are a woman, but this is bigger than YOU, this is feed or perish, feed a nation or let them stare to death (Not all but too many).

MAP endorsed a multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and even influencers on different social media platforms to strengthen the campaign against malnutrition and child stunting.

“Our message must not merely inform but incite and guide actions. Tailored strategies are required to empower individuals and communities to combat malnutrition and stunting effectively,” it said.

Last June, MAP called on the government to declare malnutrition and child stunting top national agenda.

According to the World Bank, the country ranks fifth among countries in East Asia and the Pacific region with the highest prevalence of child stunting.

The organization said one in every three Filipino children below 5 years old suffers from stunting, which can impair a malnourished child’s cognitive ability, which in turn will impact his development or ability to learn.

If you are going to bring children into this world, they need to eat & without gatekeepers holding off what they need, which is causing all this issues in the first place.

Whilst the higher ups and their children are getting everything that they need to fill their bellies, a year from now I very much dobut anything will change, unless the nation itself takes a stand on this, I really am rooting for y’all, I will be keeping tabs and if anything changes or gets worse I will react again for sure.