Senate panel oks DSWD 2013 outlay; Drilon confident CCT can withstand senators’ scrutiny

MANILA, August 28, 2012-The Senate Finance Committee approved and will submit for plenary deliberations the proposed 2013 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amounting P55.98 billion – excluding budget of attached agencies – a major portion of which is the P44.26 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), said its chairman Senator Franklin M. Drilon.

Drilon also said he is confident the Senate will support the social protection packages being implemented by the DSWD, given the alarming statistics on the poverty in the country.

“We consider the budget approved and will submit for consideration of the Senate. I am confident that the program can be explained well to the Senators, and I see no problem in having the budget of DSWD approved,” said Drilon.

“The data on the poverty incidence in 2003 is very disturbing. The poverty threshold was P12,475 annually per household. If the family income falls below this level, the family is considered as poor” said Drilon, citing that poverty incidence in 2003 was 30 percent, and in 2006, it rose to 32.9 percent.

“In the provinces, poverty incidence is more alarming because there are certain provinces were the poverty incidence was twice higher than that of the national average, specifically in the provinces in the Autonomous Regions of Muslim Mindanao and in certain parts of the Visayas,” he added.

“It is really as serious problem, but what is important is 4Ps is the first program that tries to reach out to the poor in order that we can influence a change in the behavioral pattern of heads of the family to give more importance to health and education,” said Drilon.

Drilon said the budget of DSWD is 15.11 percent higher than its current appropriation of P48.63 billion, whereas the government’s main poverty reduction program, the 4Ps, also known as the conditional cash transfer program, increased by 12.2 percent from P39.45 billion this year.

“The increase will basically cover an additional 700,000 household beneficiaries in 2013 reaching the target of 3.8 million from 3.1 million in 2012,” said Drilon.

  

Moreover, upon the intervention of the committee, Drilon said the department moved to trim down from 10 percent to 8.67 percent, equivalent to P3.83 billion, the administrative cost of CCT in 2013. In 2012, the administrative cost amounts P3.5 billion.

“Through the efforts of our committee, we were able to reduce the cost of operation for this program from 10 percent to 8.6 percent that results in a savings of P440 million which will go to the grants to cover 70,000 more families in 2013,” pointed out Drilon.

CCT or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) provides cash grants to beneficiaries to be used for health and nutrition and for educational expenses, noted Drilon. The beneficiaries were identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

It provides a monthly stipend composed of up to P1,400, on condition that they send or keep their children in school, that their children receive immunization and that mothers avail of pre-natal and other check-ups.

ANGARA CALLS FOR A MORE EQUITABLE SIN TAX BILL

MANILA, August 28, 2012-Senator Edgardo J. Angara stressed that it is important to consider the different classifications of cigarettes and liquors in imposing excise tax under the proposed amendments of the sin tax bill.

“Stakeholders have different interests. For example, there are low-priced cigarettes and premium-priced cigarettes, same as for liquor. So taxes should depend on the classifications. We have to weigh and study each classification just to be equitable,” Angara said in a TV interview.

Under Senate Bills 2763 and 3249, excise taxes on liquor are computed based on alcohol content and per liter of volume capacity while excise taxes on cigarettes are imposed per pack.

Both measures aim to raise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes through a unitary taxation system regardless of price so it would be easier to administer and monitor.

However, beer and cigarette companies have already raised their concerns that the proposed sin tax measures tend to discriminate against low-priced brands since they would incur the biggest tax increase.

Angara, a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, suggested an ad valorem tax instead, where a uniform rate would be levied across all products based on their price.

As the House of Representatives has already approved its version of the measure, Angara is optimistic that the Senate will also pass its counterpart sin tax bill.

“This will pass. The only question is the adjustment of excise taxes for each category. This is the primary contention,” he said.

The senator also expressed hope that the measure will achieve its goal of deterring young people from smoking and drinking alcohol, and protect them from the lifelong consequences of smoking and alcohol abuse.

“When cigarettes are too cheap, young people will be encouraged to smoke. But if they are more expensive, they will think twice,” Angara said. 

Jesuits vow support for CBCP vs RH bill

MANILA, August 27, 2012— The Jesuit hierarchy has assured support for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its position against a proposed population control measure.

In a letter to the CBCP, Fr. Jose Magadia, provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, said they are behind the bishops in their campaign against the reproductive health (RH) bill.

He said that in the country’s many struggles, the Jesuits have always sought to work with the bishops as their “pastors and guides.”

“This means, as has happened in many prior issues of national concern, it is our preference not to lead you but to follow you, our Bishops,” Magadia said in a letter to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president.

“May such spirit continue even as we remain one with you in prayer and in desire that fullness of the Gospel be proclaimed for all our people,” he said.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

Same letter were also sent to retired Archbishops Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu and Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

The Jesuits’ position on the issue was put into question after one of their confreres, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas vocally threw his support behind the artificial contraception measure.

Bernas even released a statement of support for the RH bill right on the day when several dioceses across the country were holding a prayer rally against the measure last August 4.

Around 150 professors of the Jesuit-run Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) also expressed support for the RH bill.

While they respect the individual consciences of Ateneo professors supporting the bill, Magadia said they will continue to dialogue with them about the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life and the family. [RL/CBCPNews]

DSWD calls on Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in CL to follow change of residency procedures

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 27, 2012-Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling all Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Central Luzon who intend to transfer residency in another barangay, municipality, city, province or region to coordinate with their respective city or municipal links to ensure their continued enrollment into the program.

 

Pantawid Pamilya regional information officer Dennis Garcia said “we follow certain change of residency procedures under our Beneficiary Update System that is why it is important for these transferees to immediately inform our coordinators on the field in the soonest possible time so that they may still receive cash grants.”

 

Garcia added “a system is also being followed for those who had already transferred and are having problems in the receipt of their stipends.”

 

Garcia enjoins those who have questions to call or text their regional hotline- 09178451707.

 

Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants of P1,400 per month during school months (June-March) and P500 per month during non-school months (April-May) or P300 per child per month as education grant and P500 per household per month as health grant to household beneficiaries as long as they comply with certain conditions like the regular visit of children in health centers to avail immunization and maintenance of a class attendance rate of at least 85% per month for those who are enrolled in day care centers or schools.

 

Grantees were selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) - the similar instrument used in determining the recipients of the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K), Social Pension and Cash-for-Work programs.

 

NHTS-PR is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. It uses the Proxy Means Test (PMT) in the selection of beneficiaries for social welfare programs and services.

 

The PMT is a statistical model that estimates household income using proxy variables included in the household assessment form (HAF).

 

Some of the variables used in the PMT are family composition, education of household members, housing conditions and access to basic services.

 

These variables were sourced out from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) and Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the National Statistics Office.

 

A household whose economic condition falls on or below the poverty line would qualify for the specific programs and services of DSWD.

Pampanga governor lauds media role in times of calamity

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 27, 2012-Governor Lilia Pineda lauded the local and national media entities for their significant role of disseminating accurate and timely information to Kapampangans during the occurrence of the southwest monsoon and tropical storm “Helen” that submerged around 390 villages in 19 towns and two cities of the province.

“Media’s role is worthy of genuine appreciation and must be lauded by all of us –Kapampangans – especially in this time of great need and calamity,” the governor said.

The provincial government through the Provincial Information Office had worked closely with national television station such as GMA 7, ABS-CBN, TV5, Net 25, PTV 4, UNTV, ANC and national newspapers such as Business Mirror, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
Philippine Star, Manila Times, Manila Standard Today, Journal Group, among others.

The governor has also recognized local papers namely: Sunstar Pampanga, Punto, Central Luzon Daily, The Voice, Angeles Observer, Business Week, Headline Gitnang Luzon, among others for the publication of accurate and developmental news for Kapampangan readers.

Pineda also valued the important role of radio stations like RW95.1 FM, GVAM 792, GVFM 99.1, Bright 91.9, DZMM, DZBB, DZEC, DZRH, in the instantaneous delivery of reports from the towns and cities of the province.

She also recognized the efforts of CLTV36 and GNN44 for its role in closely monitoring the flood situations throughout the province.

“We continue to ask for your support during this time of need. Let us maintain the delivery of accurate news for Kapampangans to avoid confusion and avert the spread of wrong information causing panic and distress among the people of Pampanga,” Pineda appealed.

The media also played an important role in motivating the people and the non-government organizations (NGOs) to come forward with significant assistance to alleviate the sufferings of the affected families.

According to the reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development a total of 176,593 families or 905, 302 individuals in Pampanga were affected and experienced flooding during the height of
the southwest monsoon in the past week.

“Despite the unfortunate event experienced by our province, the Kapampangans were able to respond accordingly and remained aware of the situation in their areas through the efforts of media entities aiming to equip the masses with correct and reliable information,” the
governor added. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu with reports from Joel P. Mapiles-PIO Pampanga)

P44-B CCT program to face Senate scrutiny today

MANILA, August 27, 2012-The government’s P44.26-billion flagship poverty alleviation program will face scrutiny of a Senate panel today (Tuesday), announced Senate Finance Committee chairman Senator Franklin M. Drilon.

The Senate Committee on Finance that is reviewing the proposed P2.006-trillion national expenditure in 2013 is expected to grill the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) over the implementation of the conditional cash transfer program (CCT), also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

”We must emphasize that this program is not strictly a poverty alleviation program but bridge towards alleviating poverty by investing to education and health of the children,” Drilon said.

“The CCT program will get an increase of 12.2 percent from its 2012 allocation of P39.45 billion to benefit additional 700,000 households in 2013,” said Drilon, noting that this year’s beneficiaries have already reached 3,106,979.

CCT or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) provides cash grants to beneficiaries to be used for health and nutrition and for educational expenses, noted Drilon. The beneficiaries were identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

It provides a monthly stipend composed of up to P1,400, on condition that they send or keep their children in school, that their children receive immunization and that mothers avail of pre-natal and other check-ups, added Drilon.

“The allocation for CCT program is 78.8 percent of the total proposed budget of the DSWD amounting P56.2 billion,” said Drilon.

With the proposed budget, the DSWD is committed to implement other social protection programs aside from CCT such as the pension program to senior citizens which has a budget of P1.53 billion in 2013 and feeding program for daycare children amounting P2.96 billion, said Drilon.

Legarda Alarmed over Phl’s Low Ranking in Ocean Health Index

MANILA, August 27, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed alarm over the results of the Ocean Health Index, which ranked the Philippines 105th out of 117 territories, making it among the most deteriorated marine ecosystems in the world.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, detailed that the Ocean Health Index focuses not only how pristine the ocean is but how it can sustainably deliver benefits for the people within its territory. It uses 50 distinct indicators such as the sustainability of methods of seafood harvesting and coastal protection.

“The Ocean Health Index is a new kind of yardstick because it measures how well our oceans can continue to deliver the needs of our growing population. It recognizes people as a legitimate component of ocean health. And based on the 2012 results, it is clear that the health and socio-economic value of our oceans will continue to deteriorate if we do not innovate our strategies towards their conservation,” she said.

The Ocean Health Index is an initiative led by Conservation International, launched with the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Oceans' endorsement.

“The Philippines performed very poorly in the amount of seafood harvested for human consumption and the sustainability of methods to that end, natural marine products, and sense of place or protection of indigenous species and their habitats. We should orient our policies accordingly, and make sure that we continue improving in the areas we are doing well in,” Legarda explained.

She noted that the Philippines scored fairly high in indicators such as access for local fishing communities, preservation of habitats that absorb carbon, coastal protection, coastal livelihoods and economies, clean waters, and marine biodiversity.

“We must focus on how we can make our oceans sustainably benefit us. We must find the much-needed balance in marine resource use while protecting our marine ecosystems. The fact that our existence depends largely on these oceans, just as its health depends on us, must be incorporated into our initiatives,” Legarda concluded.

Pampanga under state of calamity

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga August 26, 2012-The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga on Wednesday has declared the province under state of calamity due to the inundation of several towns and villages brought by Southwest monsoon and floodwaters from the major river
channels and tributaries.

This came upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) who made a rapid assessment on the damages on high value crops, agriculture, fisheries and the affected families and individuals.

With the declaration, Governor Lilia Pineda has ordered the immediate and pre-emptive evacuation and rescue operation to affected families in all municipalities with the assistance of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines and the concerned local
officials.

The governor has assured that the provincial government is closely monitoring the situation on a 24/7 basis and she added that the provincial government is ready to provide augmentation to affected municipalities and cities.

She also alerted medical personnel and converted all the 11 district hospitals in the province as action centers for health related diseases and made sure that supplies of medicines are available.

Based on the monitoring of the PDRRMC, the affected families came from 215 barangays from the 19 municipalities and two cities due to rising flood water ranging from one to five feet causing major roads impassable to light vehicles.

“This is enough to paralyze the economic activities in the said affected municipalities," PDRRMC said.

The affected municipalities and cities are as follows: City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Magalang, Guagua, Lubao, Floridablanca, Porac, Sasmuan, Sta. Rita, Arayat, Bacolor, Mexico, Sta. Ana, Apalit,Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, San Simon and Sto. Tomas.

In Floridablanca, the barangays of San Antonio, Maligaya, Portuna, Cadangcalan, Sta. Monica and San Pedro are under 2 to 4 feet floodwater.

In Sasmuan, the villages of Sta Monica, San Antonio, San Pedro, Sto. Tomas and Sta. Cruz.

In Sta. Rita, two to three feet floodwater submerged the villages of San Matias, San Basilio, San Jose, San Juan. San Agustin, Sta. Monica, Becuran and Dila-Dila.

The Porac-Guagua-Dila Dila is not passable to light vehicles due to knee deep floodwater.

In Porac, the barangays of Balubad is now experiencing 2 to 3 feet floodwater while a landslide occurred at Barangay Jalung and Babo Sacan. A barangay Health Worker was injured.

In the City of San Fernando, three barangays submerged into 2 to 3 feet floods. The Jose Abad Santos Avenue in the portion of San Fernando Junction is no passable to vehicles due to flashfloods.

In Sta. Ana, one foot floodwaters inundated 14 barangays as follows: San Agustin, San Bartolome, Sa Isidro, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Juan, San Nicolas, San Pablo, San Pedro, San Roque, Santiago, Sta Lucia and Sta. Maria and Sto. Rosario.

In Apalit town, three barangays were submerged into 2.5 deep floodwater such as Batasan, Capalangan, Sucad (Purok 3), San Vicente (Bagong Pag-asa).

The Pampanga River has spilled over inundating Barangays Capalangan and Sulipan.

In Candaba, the barangays of San Agustin, Sitio Dukma in Paralaya, Pescadores, Bambang, Pasig are now inundated by floodwaters.

In Macabebe town, 25 villages are under floodwater such as Castuli, Mataguiti, Saplad David, Tacasan, Caduang Tete, Sta. Maria, San Gabriel, Sta. Rita, Telacsan, Candelaria, Batasan, Sto. Nino, San Isidro, San Roque, Sto. Rosario, San Juan, San Rafael, Sta. Cruz, Sta.
Lutgarda, San Francisco, San Vicente, Consuelo, Dalayap and San Esteban.

Nine families or 34 individuals were evacuated in Macabebe Central School.

In Minalin, 7 barangays are under flood water as follows: San Isidro, Lourdes, Sta. Maria, Sto. Domingo, San Nicolas, Dawe and Maniago with two feet floodwater.

In San Simon, 13 barangays were inundated such as Dela Paz, San Pedro, Sta. Cruz, San Isidro, San Juan, San Pablo (Proper), Sto. Nino, San Agustin, San Jose, Sta. Monica, San Pablo Libutad, San Nicolas and San Miguel with 1 to 3.5 floodwater affecting 800 families or 2,657
individuals.

In Arayat, the barangays of San Agustin, San Jose Mesulo and Cupang are under 3 to 4 feet floodwater affecting 180 families.


In Sto. Tomas, 7 barangays were inundated by to 2.6 feet floodwaters, namely: San Matias, Moras Dela Paz, Sto. Rosario, San Bartolome, Poblacion, Sto. Nino and San Vicente.

In Guagua town, 31 barangays such as Plaza Burgoz, Bancal, San Bancal, San Roque, Sta. Filomena, San Pedro, Sto. Cristo, Santo Nino, San Nicolas 1st, San Rafael (duck island), San Juan 1st, San Pablo, San Isidro, San Antonio, San Jose, San Matias, San Juan Bautista, San Juan
Nepomuceno, San Nicolas 2nd, San Miguel (Betis), Sta. Inez, Sta. Ursula, San Agustin, Jose Abad Santos, Lambac, Magsaysay, Maquiapo, Natividad, Rizal, Pulung Masle, San Vicente (Ebus) and Ascomo.

In Barangay Lambac, Guagua, some 100 families or 500 individuals are staying at the Barangay Hall and Osca building.

In the coastal town of Masantol, 26 villages such as Alauli, Bagang, Balibago, Bebe Anac, Bebe Matua, Bulacus, Cambasi, Malauli, Nigui, Paguiaba, Palimpe, Puti, Sagrada, San Agustin, San Isidro Matua, San Isidro Anac, San Nicolas, San Pedro, Sapang Cuayan, Sta. Cruz, Sta.
Lucia Wakas, Sta. Lucia Matua, Sta. Monica, Sto Nino and Sua. These villages were submerged into 3 to 5 feet floodwaters affecting 4433 families or 20,903 individuals.

In Bacolor, some 56 familiess were affected by 3 feet flood waters affecting the villages of Mesalipit (Babo), Cabalantian and Talba.

Twenty-one families or 88 individuals are staying at Mesalipit Tent near the barangay hall.

In Lubao, twenty-nine barangays are affected with 2 to 4 feet floodwaters affecting 4,433 families or 20,903 individuals in the villages of Balantacan, Bancal Pugad, Bancal Sinubli, Baruya,
Calangain, Concepcion, Lourdes, Prado Siongco, Remedios, San Agustin, San Francisco, San Juan, San Jose Gumi, San Nicolas I, San Nicolas 2, San Pedro Saug, San Roque Arbol, San Roque Dau 1, San Roque Dau II, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Cruz, Sta Lucia, Sta. Maria, Sta.
Monica, Sta. Tereza I, Sta. Tereza II, Sto. Nino and Sto. Tomas. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
with reports from Joel P. Mapiles- PIO Pampanga)

Guv wants immediate rehab breached portion of tail dike

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Aug 26, 2012-To ensure the speedy rehabilitation of the breached portion of the San Fernando-Sto.Tomas-Minalin tail dike, Governor Lilia Pineda said on
Wednesday that she will personally monitor the progress of the work done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“This is not the time to be lax. Our constituents cannot wait. We need to make a regular progress report on the status of the tail dike”, Pineda said.

Sometime ago, two portions of the San Fernando tail dike collapsed during heavy rains brought by southwest monsoon that flooded all the seven barangays in Sto.Tomas, 14 in Minalin, and 20 in San Fernando.

“If not immediately repaired, water from Gugu River will continuously flow on the two breached portions of the dike leaving the said villages underwater.

This scenario prompted DPWH Region III Director Antonio Molano to start the rehabilitation of the dike and the rechanneling of the water flow from Maliwalu creek to Pasig-Portrero River while waiting for the P270 million requested funds from DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson for the restoration of water channels and tributaries in the province.

“The desilting and rechanneling of the 3.5 kilometer Gugu River from Maliwalu upstream started early this week," Molano said.

Molano explained that Gugu River needs to be diverted to Pasig-Potrero River to minimize water entry on the infringed tail dike in Sto.Tomas and San Fernando portion, this way, they can start the rehabilitation of the earth dike.

“We can only start repairing the breached dike once the water level subsided,” added Molano.

Meanwhile, Pineda is supervising the desilting and rechanneling of the water flow being carried out by the DPWH. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu with reports from Joel P. Mapiles, PIO Pampanga)

3 Central Luzon mayors join lady mayors group

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Aug 26, 2012-Three lady mayors from Central Luzon are now officers of the Lady Municipal Mayors Association of the Philippines (LMMAP).

The LMMAP is headed by its president, San Luis, Aurora Mayor Annabelle Tangson. The executive vice president is Mayor Lorna Silverio of San Rafael, Bulacan. Mayor Gene Malibiran-Dela Fuente of Samal, Bataan is the Deputy Secretary General.

Tangson said the LMMAP signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the conduct of a series of trainings on Human Rights for lady mayors.

After undergoing these seminars, these mayors will establish human rights action centers or human rights desks in their respective towns.

The centers will respond to violations brought before them by the more vulnerable sectors such as women, children, the disabled, the elderly and the poor.

These action centers will also conduct information and education campaigns in the barangays to ensure that the residents are aware of their rights.

The human rights seminars will also be held in September. (Rebecca Grace David)

3 Central Luzon provinces clear from red tide

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 26, 2012-Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan provinces remain free from paralytic shellfish poison or most commonly known as red tide.

“The coastal waters of Bulacan in Manila Bay; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; and coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal in Bataan are now free of the toxic red tide,” the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Shellfish Bulletin dated August 17 reported.

BFAR said shellfish from the mentioned areas can now be gathered, harvested and sold in markets and are safe for human consumption.

Shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

All types of shellfish and Acetes ap or alamang from the areas mentioned are not safe for human consumption, BFAR said.

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” BFAR added. ( Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Legarda Calls on New Nutritionist-Dietitians to Help Improve Health and Nutrition of Filipinos

MANILA, August 26, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda called on the successful candidates of the 2012 Nutritionist-Dietitian Licensure Examination to contribute to the improvement of the health and nutrition of Filipinos as they take the Oath of Professional today.

Legarda, author of several laws and bills on health and nutrition, emphasized on the role of Nutritionist-Dietitians in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, specifically in reducing hunger and malnutrition, which are said to be the critical manifestations of most poverty. 

“According to the United Nations, one in four children in the developing world are still underweight. Alarmingly, children in rural areas are nearly twice as likely to be underweight than those in urban areas. Our latest National Nutrition Survey in 2008 reveals that the proportion of children aged 0-5 years who were underweight significantly increased, from 24.6 percent in 2003 to 26.2 percent in 2008. It is evident that much remains to be done. If you choose to help address this challenge, you will be instrumental to changing the fate of the entire nation and generations,” she said.

Out of 896 candidates, 601 passed this year’s Nutritionist-Dietitian Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics in Manila and Zamboanga last July 2012.

Legarda called for the oath takers’ support towards legislative efforts on health and nutrition, noting that legislation will be for naught if there is a lack of people to implement them dedicatedly, effectively, and efficiently.

“With your talent and expertise, I trust that you will be my partners in promoting solutions to the many challenges we face in public health and nutrition,” she remarked.

“Enthusiasm, burning passion, and compassion – these will get you through the road ahead. Wherever you will be, remember that you always have the chance and the choice to contribute to the well-being of our people. That journey begins today,” Legarda concluded.