“First 1,000 Days” bill passed into law, lauded by child rights advocates
The “First 1,000 Days” Bill, which seeks to expand the coverage of the country’s nutrition and health programs starting from the first day of a mother’s pregnancy to the child’s first two years, was passed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte last November 29 after being approved by the bicameral conference committee last August.
The passing of this bill was lauded by child rights advocates. Now called Republic Act 11148, the “First 1,000 Days” was a reconciliation of Senate Bill 1577 and House Bill 5777, which both chambers of Congress said aims to “fix a gaping hole on social protection” in the country.
The Child Rights Network (CRN), citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, said that the first 1,000 days of child development is crucial, as over 5.9 million children around the world under five years old die due to malnutrition.
FNRI data show what the new law will address
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) disclosed data that is complementary with the WHO report, which show that in 2013, almost one in three Filipino children aged two years and younger were malnourished.
Stunting, or the impaired growth and development of children which results from poor nutrition and repeated infection, is also prevalent in the country. FNRI data shows that one in three children under five become stunted; 11 out of the 17 regions in the Philippines also report high occurrences of stunting.
The FNRI also reports that one in four pregnant women in the country were recorded as “nutritionally at risk.”
CRN calls on maximization of the law, cites possible economic benefits
The CRN calls on the government to fully maximize this law, as it will ensure that proper nutrition and care are given to those who need it “at the most pressing time,” adding that it should be the administration’s moral imperative to implement this, as it will equip all government agencies with all the resources they need to ensure that mothers and their babies are at optimum health during this very crucial juncture.
Aside from the obvious medical benefits that Filipinos will receive, the CRN said that this new law could be economically beneficial in the long run.
In a joint research released by the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC), there is a 12:1 benefit-cost ratio for investments into interventions to combat child malnutrition and its’ accompanying problems – every $1 (₱53) invested can save around $12 (₱639) in foregone earnings or health expenditures.
Under RA11148, a full slate of health and nutrition services will be provided, starting from the pre-natal period, to the immediate postpartum and newborn periods, up until children reaches two years of age. Mothers and children in areas with a high prevalence of undernutrition, as identified by the National Household Targeting System, will also be prioritized.
