Poe urges gov’t to rethink programs vs hunger

Sen. Grace Poe – Llamanzares. Photo from Poe’s official Facebook page.

MANILA – Senator Grace Poe called on the government to re-calibrate its poverty alleviation programs in order to address hunger and child malnutrition problems in the country.

In a privilege speech, Poe cited that at least 9.3 million Filipino families are suffering from hunger leaving 7.36 million children below the age of five malnourished.

“Children bear the scars of hunger and poverty… The long-term impact on our human capital is fatal. We cannot build the foundation of our future on emaciated bodies,” she said.

Poe also stressed the need for a more comprehensive re-engineering of the administration’s program to successfully address the hunger and malnutrition problems in the country.

“We must put food within their reach. We will be debating the P2.6-trillion national budget for 2015. It needs to be fortified with more funds to combat malnutrition directly,” Poe said.

“Malnutrition begins at the womb. If the mother is hungry while she is pregnant, the brain of the child does not develop well. No amount of post-birth intervention will reverse the situation,” Poe added.