Hello, November!  It’s Children’s Month and NNC-Region III promotes the celebration and putting children’s concerns of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) of Central Luzon.  As one of the members of this inter-agency committee, NNC supports the 28^th National Children’s Month celebration with the theme: “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya”.

There are 10 Filipino Children’s Rights (Karapatan ng Bawat Batang Pilipino) being espoused by the RCWC.

1. Maisilang at magkaroon ng pangalan at nasyonalidad (The right to be born and to be given a name and a nationality);
2. Magkaroon ng tahanan at pamilyang mag-aaruga (The right to have a home and a family who will take care for me);
3. Manirahan sa mapayapa at tahimik na lugar (The right to live in a peaceful and healthy environment);
4. Magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain, malusog at aktibong katawan (The right to have enough food, a healthy and active body);
5. Mabigyan ng sapat na edukasyon (The right to education);
6. Mapaunlad ang angking kakayahan (The right to develop oneself);
7. Mabigyan ng sapat na pagkakataong makapaglaro at makapaglibang (The right to play and recreation);
8. Mabigyan ng proteksyon laban sa pang-aabuso, panganib at karahasan (The right to be protected from abuse, danger and oppression);
9. Maipagtanggol at matulungan ng pamahalaan (The right be protected and helped by the state); at
10. Makapagpahayag ng sariling pananaw (The right to self-expression).

Of these 10 Children’s Rights, the 4^th Karapatan ng Batang Pilipino, “Magkaroon ng Sapat na Pagkain, Malusog at Aktibong Katawan” highlights the important role of nutrition.  From this standpoint, one may see when this Child’s Right starts and ends.  This particular Child’s Right also encompasses RA 11148 otherwise known as the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”, in support of the First 1000 Days program.

We do know that good health starts with good nutrition, hence the child’s nutritional status is mainly dependent on his or her mother’s health during pregnancy. The first and most important food for a young child is mother’s milk.  As the child grows, s/he needs more food to complement breastmilk, with continuous breastfeeding up to two years and beyond.

Providing nutritious, clean, and safe complementary food is essential in assuring that children will reach their full potential for better nutritional status, growth, and development. Serving safe complementary food is not difficult, however it requires engagement and attention to details at all phases, from buying, storing, preparation, cooking, serving and active feeding.

In serving complementary foods, below are practical tips from the complementary feeding flyer that the National Nutrition Council distributes to local government units.  

Una - Alamin ang mga senyales na gutom at busog na ang iyong anak gaya ng pagsupsup ng hinlalaki, pag-iyak, o pagtanggi sa pagkain; 
Pangalawa - Kausapin si baby sa lahat ng pagkakataon at huwag kalimutang tumugon sa kanyang mga aksiyon;
Ikatlo - Pagsapit ng ika-walong buwan, hayaan si baby na matutong gumamit ng kutsara habang kumakain;
Ika-apat - Habaan ang pasensiya sa pagpapakain ng iyong anak. Normal na maging makalat at tumagal ang pagpapakain sa bata. Hayaan siyang maubos ang pagkain na naayon sa kanyang bilis; at
Ikalima- Huwag pilitin ang inyong anak na ubusin ang kanyang pagkain kung ayaw na niyang kumain.

Nutrition information and education materials are important advocacy tool in upholding the rights of children particularly the right to adequate and nutritious food. Mula 6 months, bigyan si baby ng ibang angkop na pagkain habang patuloy ang breastfeeding.  Malnutrisyon labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!

Author:  NO III Angelita M. Pasos
              3 November 2021