Press Release
February 13, 2011

ANGARA GAINS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR "OH MY GULAY!" CAMPAIGN

We all believe in the importance of our children's health and nourishment, said Senator Edgardo J. Angara at the grand kickoff of the Oh My Gulay! advocacy campaign held Friday night at the Manila Polo Club.

In his opening remarks, Angara told the story behind the creation of the Oh My Gulay! advocacy campaign, that it had reached fruition after several years of planning after a successful feeding program.

"Early on in my legislative career, I learned of the prevalence of this 'hidden hunger' in the poorer areas of the country. The staggering statistics of malnutrition in the Philippines show how it directly affects the academic performance of the schoolchildren,"

"In 2002, we launched a very simple school-feeding program consisting of just a glass of milk and egg-fortified noodles. This type of intervention is relatively inexpensive but the payoff is incredible--improvements in attendance and academic performance, height, weight and overall nutritional status," explained Angara.

According to Angara, the solution is literally right in the backyard. The Oh My Gulay! campaign aims to promote the growing of vegetables as a low-cost but effective solution to fight mmalnutrition on our schoolchildren.

Also present in were DSWD Secretary Cora "Dinky" Soliman, DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, and DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, cabinet members who had pledged support for the OMG! program.

"I must express my gratitude towards all the co-convenors and the members of the OMG! consortium for all their efforts towards this advocacy. There is indeed something we can do--and I hope tonight will be the turning point in our fight against malnutrition, ensuring the development of our children's potential," said Angara.

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