President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to guarantee that healthcare and nutrition are priority indicators in the good local governance.
“I have directed the DILG to ensure that healthcare and nutrition are included as a priority indicator in our Seal of Good Local Governance,” Marcos said in his speech Friday.
“We are looking again at the criteria that — as being examined when granting the Seal of Local [Governance] and I insisted that healthcare be part of that: healthcare in terms of nutrition, healthcare in terms of vaccination, in terms of access to health services.
Marcos said this as he graced the 2024 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in Ortigas.
The Seal of Good Local Governance is an award, incentive, honor and recognition-based program for all local government units.
Marcos said the public must take to heart the “very painful lessons” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President said it is clear that the strength of the nation lies in the well-being of the general public.
“A healthy citizenry, fueled by proper nutrition, forms the foundation of a productive and prosperous society,” Marcos said.
“We are constantly reminded that we must be mindful of the food that we consume and the environment that we surround ourselves with,” he added.
At present, Marcos lamented that the Philippines continues to face complex nutritional challenges as malnutrition exists at alarming levels across different stages of life throughout the country.
“And this has multifarious effects. It has wrought deleterious effects on the cognitive development and future of our children. It has contributed to our children falling behind in their education,” Marcos said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
