By Anthony A. Araos
A conduct of a feeding activity by the Barangay Council of Haliap (in Asipulo, Ifugao) was confirmed recently by Punong Barangay Laurence Putac, one of the most outstanding village chieftains in the province.
This will be a big help to the town. Aside from addressing the malnutrition problem, it will likely result to reduction of poverty incidence.
Well, many other village councils in poverty-stricken Ifugao are desperately striving to hold a similar activity. But the effort to curb malnutrition woes is scuttled due to funding constraints.
Tapping the generosity and kindheartedness of concerned individuals in the private and public sector easily justified the act of soliciting their help to implement these essential projects. Thus, I have high regard for the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to support this noteworthy cause.
More than a one-day endeavor, Haliap barangay council’s forthcoming activity is clearly a cause-driven movement that seeks to end inter-generational effects of malnutrition and shows that community inclusion is key to a compassionate future.
Thus, I’m also looking forward to the all-out assistance of kagawads (councilmen) Melanio Pangnga and Bonnie Bangad. Pangnga is the chairman of the committee of health and nutrition. When Pangnga assumed this role at the start of his incumbency, he knew he would be facing a difficult task ahead.
“It was really a challenge trying to figure out how to make their lives less difficult,” Pangnga said.
Indeed, Bonnie Bangad was an excellent choice from PB Putac for the position. Earlier, I told him and other council officials that special attention should be given to each detail of the feeding program to ensure its success.
For the near-term PB Putac and all others (Arthur Baliwang, Rodrigo Gucmi, Jose Bimical Sr., Camilo Ocampo, Garry Dinamman and SK Chair Karl Dinamman), I’m committed to extend a helping hand. For the long-term, I’m eager to layout strategies to address all challenges. As I will tell you, the path to transformation towards a resilient and inclusive barangay runs through a strong partnership. As a partner, I shall use a range of instruments and platforms at my disposal.
For now, I think inaction and ignorance are unthinkable. It will just exacerbate the situation.
The business of malnutrition simply goes on as usual. Severe consequences of malnutrition include higher immobility and mortality. Other effects are associated with cognitive delay and poor school performance. So, learning to understand these effects is very important. Malnutrition has long been linked with a bleak future.
If the practice of allocating Php 2,000 or so for the feeding program only to be conducted once a year is not stopped, the drive against malnutrition would only end up as an “exercise in futility ” to hide the truth of its grave extent in the grassroots level.
I’m also concerned that feeding activities are merely characterized by giving kids “lugaw” (rice gruel). Thus, I’m strongly pushing for a post-assessment activity too.
Children are suffering and dying because of lack of food. While the Discaya couple and corrupt congressmen and senators as well as DPWH officials are stealing the people’s money and are engaged in wanton extravagance and profligate spending of public funds.
I’m still at awe in how “Honorable” officials are adopting the “denial mode” to shy away from the lingering problem. One will be left with a compelling question: What will you do given their ineptness and inaction? What difference does it make for you to make a stand against malnutrition?
There are ways for you to push for improved delivery of basic services to the poor, particularly on health, nutrition and early childhood care and development.
Promoting children’s health and welfare is never too late in Ifugao. These actions would be absolutely critical to safeguard their welfare. Early Christmas wish: I love to see how impoverished Ifugao children are finally going to live life in ways they are dreaming of.**
