A toast for a healthier generation: Vitamilk supports DepEd and DOH in fight against

malnutrition in school communities

(Philstar.com) - July 15, 2019 - 8:16am
MANILA, Philippines — In support of the Department of Health and
Department of Education’s program for school children, Vitamilk launched
Kalusugan Para sa Kinabukasan. The school caravan promotes the
importance of proper nutrition in school performance and its role in enabling
students to achieve their goals in life.

Launched in celebration of the Nutrition Month, the caravan will visit 100
chosen schools in Central and South Luzon from July to September. Over
100,000 students, teachers and parents will experience an insightful
discussion about health and wellness.

Together with Vitamilk Brand Ambassador and TV host Kuya Kim Atienza, Kalusugan
Para sa Kinabukasan School Caravan aims to:
 Support DepEd and DOH in educating school communities on how to practice a healthy and
well-balanced diet, particularly among adolescents;
 Promote the health standards established by DepEd and DOH in order to create a healthy
environment for students where nutritious choices are accessible, affordable and diverse enough
to fulfill their appetite's wants and needs; and

 Inspire students, teachers, and parents to carry the mindset that proper nutrition
optimizes learning and unlocks one's capabilities to maximize potential and reach goals in
life.
Malnutrition among the Filipino youth
By working together with the experts in the field of health and education, Vitamilk
envisions to become part of the solution in addressing one of our country's most
pressing health issues among the youth—malnutrition.

According to the 8th National Nutrition Survey of the Food & Nutrition Institute,
three out of 10 adolescents between 10-19 years old are malnourished—32% are
stunted (low height-for-age ratio), 12% are wasted (low weight-for-height ratio), and
8% are overweight or obese1 (Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 2013).

Adolescents who have persistent poor eating habits become nutrient deficient. They
are more vulnerable to sickness and serious health conditions that may develop as
they reach adulthood. Aside from the physical manifestations, malnutrition also
weighs down the psychosocial and intellectual performance of students.
Affected students will find concentrating and retaining information more difficult.
Given the importance of education, poor academic performance may become a barrier
for an adolescent to maximize their potential to achieve success later on in life.

A community effort
There is a need to be more proactive in educating the youth, as well as adults who
guide them, such as parents and teachers. Discipline in diet, access to healthy food,
physical activity and an environment that supports nutrition policies are what we need
to tackle malnutrition.

First, adolescents must be encouraged to instill the discipline of choosing what's best
for their body. This includes balancing the number of calories that they consume per
day and choosing all-natural alternatives instead of highly processed foods and
beverages high in sugar, sodium, and fat. Aside from diet, getting at least 60 minutes
of physical activity is also recommended.

Second, nutritious choices must be made more accessible, affordable and diverse
enough for students to fulfill their appetite's wants and needs. The Pinggang Pinoy, a
campaign of FNRI, recommends each meal should be composed of Glow, Grow, and
Go foods: 50% representing fruits and vegetables from the "Glow" category; 25%
from bodybuilding "Grow" foods; and 25% from energy giving "Go" foods. Twelve
glasses of water and a glass of milk daily are also recommended (FNRI, 2016).

Third, health standards must be set to foster healthy dietary practices in school
communities. This is the rationale behind Dep Ed Order 13, Policy and Guidelines on
Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and DepEd Offices, which
categorizes food and beverages that are encouraged (green category), consumed-in-
moderation (yellow category) and restricted (red category). Support for such
regulations is needed to make healthy eating easier to adapt to.

The caravan vision

Vitamilk believes that great health leads to a great education, and education opens
doors to a better life. That is why the brand launched its advocacy, Kalusugan Para sa
Kinabukasan, to support the government's initiatives in promoting a culture of health
and wellness in school communities.
The project kicked-off last July 4 and 5, 2019 as Vitamilk hosted the Continuing
Health Education for Teachers Forum at AB Nutribev Corporation located in Sta.
Rosa, Laguna.

Representatives from target partner schools, DepEd and DOH engaged in insightful
discussions about the current state of health among the youth, the importance of
proper nutrition and the possible solutions to address malnutrition among school
children. Following the discussion, participants also went on a soy milk plant tour
which showcased the world-class facilities of AB Nutribev Corp. facilitated by the
makers of Vitamilk soy milk in the Philippines.

During the school caravan, students and their parents will have the chance to
participate in educational activities that highlight the important role of proper nutrition
in achieving one's goals in life. A freedom wall will be installed in schools to inspire
students to reflect on their goals and write them on the wall as a pledge to dream big
and work hard.

In collaboration with the health and education sector of the government, Kalusugan
Para sa Kinabukasan envisions to create a positive impact in the mindset of students
by inspiring them to become more proactive in making healthy choices every day.
Vitamilk's dream is for our country's youth to be able to maximize their full potential
and build a better future for themselves.

References:
Food and Nutrition Research Institute Philippines, Department of Science and Technology. (2013). 8th National Nutrition Survey (pp.
30-31)

Food and Nutrition Research Institute Philippines, Department of Science and Technology. Pinggang Pinoy Healthy Food Plate for
Filipinos. (2016) Retrieved June 2, 2019, from https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/94-pinggang-pinoy/190-pinggang-pinoy

About Vitamilk Soy Milk:

Vitamilk is an all natural soy milk drink made from non-GMO soybeansthat’s not only delicious but nutritious too. Each 200ml serving
is only 140 calories yet it contains substantial amount of protein, vitamins and minerals that are good for the body and mind. Among
these are protein (9% of RENI), Vitamin A (21% of RENI), Vitamin B1 (22% of RENI), Vitamin B2 (20% of RENI), Vitamin B6 (15%
of RENI), Vitamin D (33% of RENI), Vitamin E (13% of RENI), Magnesium (33% of RENI), Iron (15% of RENI) and Iodine (28%).
No wonder Vitamilk is one of the healthiest beverages that can be consumed in schools. It is a filling and revitalizing drink that’s idealfor
students who are always on-the-go. Vitamilk, the #1 soy milk brand in the Philippines, offers a wide variety of flavors (Original, Choco
Shake, Energy, Double Choco Shake, and Banana) and pack sizes (300ml, 250ml tetra pack, 1 Liter tetra pack, and 200ml returnable
glass bottles) to suit the needs of all types of consumers. Enjoy a Vitamilk today, available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and sari-
sari stores near you!
Farmers' issues and updates
LATEST UPDATE: July 15, 2019 - 7:38am
LOCATION:
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has filed a bill to condone, or
grant amnesty for, loans owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The measure, if enacted, will write off unpaid amortizations, interests,

penalties, surcharges on loans secured under CARP.

ARBs need to pay for land awarded to them under CARP but because of the
costs of farming and because of loss of income due to crops destroyed by
typhoons and drought and similar calamities, many fail to do so.

Under Recto's bill, once the arrears are condoned, “the agrarian reform
beneficiaries shall be deemed rightful owners of the lands awarded to them.”

Recto said former landowners will still be paid for the land covered by CARP
and distributed to farmers.

"Their right to be paid on time and based on the legal contracts will be
honored and will not be impaired," he says.

The Department of Agriculture recognizes on its website that "the agriculture,

forestry, and fisheries sector is pivotal in generating employment for about a
third of the country’s labor force, thereby reducing poverty and inequality for
three-fourths of the poor who are in the rural areas."

It also says that the sector is key to providing raw materials to the
manufacturing and service sectors of the Philippines.

The DA also says that its mission is "to help and empower the farming and
fishing communities and the private sector to produce enough, accessible and
affordable food for every Filipino and a decent income for all."