POE TO KEYNOTE “OUTSTANDING ZAMBOSURIAN” AWARDS

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Sept.14)- Senator Grace Poe is expected to arrive here tomorrow (Sept. 15) to be the guest of honor at the Outstanding Zambosurians Awarding Ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol in celebration of the 64th founding anniversary celebration of Zamboanga del Sur.

“I look forward to joining our beloved kababayans in this meaningful occasion. The development of Mindanao is at the core of my advocacy, recognizing its importance in our nation’s progress. Much can be done to uplift the lives of Mindanaoans,” said Poe, who is invited by Governor Antonio Cerilles.

In her keynote speech, Poe is seen to push for her two nutrition measures seeking to support mothers and their children from conception up to early childhood, saying proper nutrition of children is crucial in nation building.

Her return to the province is Poe’s way of expressing thanks for the support of Zambosurians in her advocacies and legislative priorities that also address the concerns of Mindanaoans.

Senate Bill (SB) No. 160 or the First 1,000 Days Act, which Poe filed, seeks to establish a natal care program for expectant mothers and health care and feeding program for toddlers. Her SB No. 161 or the proposed Libreng Pananghalian sa Pampublikong Paaralan Act aims to provide. free school feeding program for all public schools nationwide.

Poe earlier urged Malacañang to certify as urgent her two nutrition measures, saying immediate approval of the measure and effective implementation of government interventions are necessary to address malnutrition in the country.

Earlier, Save the Children released a report entitled “Cost of Hunger: Philippines suggesting that childhood stunting—the most prevalent form of undernutrition that has permanent effects on a child’s growth and development—cost the Philippines P328 billion or almost three percent of its gross domestic product and had affected workforce productivity and education.

Poe earlier said early intervention in providing sufficient child nutrition is essential to enable them to go to school regularly and improve children’s performance in school while early childhood development is the key stage in human development. (By Julie Gantes with PR)