LOREN URGES ENHANCED FEEDING PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

MABITAC, Laguna, Jan. 6 - Noting that more than four million Filipino children are considered undernourished and malnourished, Sen. Loren Legarda today advocated a bigger and sustained feeding program for children, especially through the school system.

Speaking before municipal and barangay officials here, Loren said that in giving priority to education, the government should also pay more attention to improving the health of rural and community residents, especially the children.

Loren said that she would push through her proposals to institute a universal health care from the urban down to the rural and barangay levels, and boost the feeding program for children through the schools as long as she remains in public service.

Loren, a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, is running for vice president as guest candidate of the Nacionalista Party, in tandem with NP presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar.

Loren told her audience that she had filed two bills in the Senate, one proposing a universal health care for Filipinos and another enlarging the school feeding program for children to combat malnutrition which is prevalent among them. She said she will pursue her efforts in whatever position she finds herself in public service.

Loren said that the children should be provided with nutritious food, like vegetables, fruits and meat so that they could improve their health and develop healthy minds and bodies.

Loren also said that the planting of fruit trees and vegetable gardens would improve the environment of the community, thus helping fight climate change.

Loren spoke during the turnover of school buildings constructed from her community development funds in the fourth district of Laguna before national and local officials headed by Congressman Edgar San Luis, Mabitac Mayor Gerardo Fader and Vice Mayor Jacqueline Rose R. Carpio

Also present were Mayors Juanita Mansanas of Pangil, Charles Vipops of Pakil and Ariel Magcalas of Sta. Cruz, Laguna and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Liga ng Mga Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan, District Engineers Manuel Y. Alejo Jr. and Roberto R. Bernardo.

The occasion was the town's tradition of local officials and leading citizens throwing coins to the people in celebration of January 6, Three Kings Day, called "Pasabog".

In their speeches, Congressman San Luis and Mayor Fader praised Senator Legarda's concern for the welfare of the people of Laguna, and to the people of the country, especially the poor, the underprivileged and the children.