Korean government and UNICEF launch First 1000 Days Program for vulnerable communities

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Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UN children’s agency UNICEF, in partnership with the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council, launch an integrated nutrition and health program targeting the first 1,000 days of life to benefit vulnerable children and women in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Integrated Nutrition and Health Actions in the First 1,000 Days of Life Program to benefit 40,000 children under-5 and 57,000 pregnant/lactating women in Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte

(L-R) Dr. Gerardo V. Bayugo, DOH Undersecretary of Health; Senator Risa Hontiveros; Ms. Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative; Ms. Paik Senghwa, Deputy Director KOICA Philippines

“The Korean Government fully supports the Philippine government in its goal of addressing malnutrition and achieving universal healthcare. By giving assistance to this project, the most vulnerable – mothers and children ages 0-5 years old – will be ensured access to vital health and nutrition services which will help them develop fully later in life,” says Ambassador HAN Dong-Man, Korean envoy to the Philippines.

The support from KOICA amounts to US$6 million and targets 19 local government units in three provinces, namely Samar and Northern Samar in Region VIII and Zamboanga Del Norte in Region IX. Expected reach through the initiative will be 12,000 infants 0-5 months old, 36,000 6-23 months old – including children from poor families and children from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas – and 57,000 pregnant and lactating women. It also aims to improve the LGU’s policy, governance frameworks and service delivery systems and enhance the capacity of 1,370 nutrition and health personnel.

 

“We thank the Korean government for supporting the Filipino child’s right to survive and thrive. Supporting interventions at the local level is important to reach every vulnerable mother and child especially those who do not have access to essential services,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says.

Technical support at the national level is expected to reach an estimated 14 million children under five years of age including acutely malnourished children, premature newborns, an estimated 3.5 million pregnant women, and 3 million lactating women in 17 regions across the country.

The project aims to: a) establish a more responsive enabling policy environment at the national and local level that supports the comprehensive approach to maternal, infant and child nutrition and health in the critical first 1,000 days window; b) strengthen systems for the delivery of quality and comprehensive nutrition and health services for the first 1,000 days provided to women, newborns and children; and c) improve knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women, mothers and caregivers in the 19 project areas on maternal and child nutrition and health.

Under-nutrition in the Philippines remains a serious problem. The damage to health, physical growth and brain development of children affected by chronic under-nutrition—stunting in the first two years—is often irreversible, impairing children for life and leaving them with lower chances of finishing school and becoming highly-productive adults. Stunting, iron and iodine deficiencies impact learning abilities and intelligence of children. Studies show that populations affected by iodine deficiency have 10 - 15 IQ points less than those not affected.

A joint research by UNICEF Philippines and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) revealed that every $1 (P53) invested in interventions to combat child malnutrition and accompanying problems can save around $12 (P639) in foregone earnings or health expenditures – equivalent to a 12:1 benefit-cost ratio.

The Kalusugan and Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, more commonly known as First 1000 Days Law, was approved by the end of 2018 and heralds the beginning of more concerted efforts by the national and local government, donors, and civil society.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. PAIK Seunghwa, Assistant Country Director, KOICA, Mobile: +63917-800-3058, philippines@koica.go.kr

Ms. Michelle Apostol, MD, Health Specialist, KOICA, Mobile: +63905-462-2356, philippines@koica.go.kr

Ms. Zafrin Chowdhury, Chief of Communication, UNICEF Philippines, Mobile: +63 917 867 8366, zchowdhury@unicef.org

Ms. Marge Francia, Communication Officer, UNICEF Philippines, Mobile: +63 917 858 9447, mfrancia@unicef.org

Jamie Rivera with The Company at the Valentine's concert dubbled as 'Jamie in Perfect Company'

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It's a night of feel-good hits and good vibes with OPM's finest artists - the Philippines' inspirational diva Jamie Rivera with premier vocal group The Company holds the Valentine concert "Jamie in Perfect Company" on February 14 (Thursday) at the Music Museum.

From left to right : Director Marvin Caldito, Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Jamie Rivera and OJ Mariano. 

"Jamie in Perfect Company" will give us full of inspiration and loving tunes this Valentine's Day. 

During the press conference, it shows the media and bloggers that Jamie is truly in perfect company as with The Company as they intend to take the audience down memory lane as they perform their classic hits and contemporary songs, reliving romantic moments of yesteryears in the highly anticipated Valentine's show presented by Star Events and CCC Productions and directed by Marvin Caldito

The Company’s member Moy Ortiz said during the press conference on Wednesday , they will do the songs from the stage, songs that are current and "of course we cannot do without our hits.” 

Jamie said that they will have songs from the OPM, foreign songs, for the millenials, ’80s, and cover songs.

Jamie is known for popularizing timeless love songs such as "Hey, It's Me," Awit Para

SaYo, "and "I've Fallen For You," aside from her big inspirational hits like "Tell The World of His Love" and "We Are All God's Children."

The Company, meanwhile, is an acapella pop group which started in the 80's who popularized the songs Everlasting Love, "Muntik Na Kitang Minahal," and "Now That I Have You." The group is currently comprised of Annie Quintos, Moy Ortiz, O] Mariano, and Sweet Plantado.

Grab your tickets to the "Jamie in Perfect Company" via Ticketworld and Music Museum for only P3,950 (VVİP), p3.450 (VIP), and P1.450 (silver). 

Get updated with the latest in the Philippine music scene, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @StarMusicPH. 

For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Experience Effortless Selfies In Style With Honor 10 Lite!

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Just a few weeks ago, the world left 2018 behind with hopes of making it big in 2019. For some millennial Filipinos, a major lifestyle change is in order. From discovering new passion points to switching up their daily routines, people are looking for new ways to refresh their lifestyle this year online and offline.

Stay ahead of the social media game and keep your personal Instagram feeds on everyones radar with the newest player in the mid-range smartphone category, Honor 10 Lite! Leading mobile device e-brand and mobile trendsetter, Honor, will be releasing its first selfie game-changer this January which lets you be in style around the clock with its 24-megapixel front camera. Honor 10 Lites AI technology is able to recognize eight different settings from day to night, so selfies are always on-point!

The Honor 10 Lite can be expected to be a certified scene-stealer which makes for the perfect fashion accessory in anyones daily OOTDs. The eye-catching back design captures that trendy ombre-like effect with Honors signature electric blue that gradually fades to light.

Know more about the Honor 10 Lite officially launching in the Philippines on January 22! Catch it first and exclusive on Shopee for one-day only on January 25. The Honor 10 Lite is bundled with exciting freebies such as Honor Band 4 running, Honor Gift Box and Honor foldable luggage all valued at Php 3,000! Stay tuned to Honors Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/HonorPhilippines) for official announcements!

UNISDR ARISE PH moves closer to achieving resiliency

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The Philippines is turning challenges into accomplishments as it continues to deal with natural disasters.

This was the assessment of experts during “A Forum on Understanding Risk and Resilience” held to mark the International Day of Disaster Reduction.

“A Forum on Understanding Risk and Resilience” featured speakers (L-R): Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator for administration assistant secretary Krisoffer James Purisima, National Economic and Development Authority undersecretary Adoracion Navarro and National Panel of Technical Experts member Dr. Rosa Perez.

Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro of the National Economic and Development Authority cited the reduction in loss of human lives during recent calamities. “In terms of magnitude, the number of casualties from typhoon Ompong was only 79, unlike in previous strong typhoons where they reached thousands. This gives us a more positive view of how we are building a resilient nation,” she said.

“We have proactively empowered our local government in DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) councils through effective policy guidance,” said assistant secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, deputy administrator for administration of the Office of Civil Defense. 

Specialists from the government, business, academe and civil society organizations attended the forum organized by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)’s ARISE Philippines, Department of National Defense, National Resilience Council and SM Prime Holdings to enhance understanding of resilience – conceptually and operationally.

In his opening remarks, Zuellig Family Foundation president Ernesto Garilao said, “We need to shift the way we, as a nation, think about disasters so that, together, we can be better prepared in the future. But to promote a culture of preparedness, we must first understand risk.” 

Speakers presented information and possible strategies to respond to possible risks in the future. They suggested adopting, in the face of adversity, lessons from the experiences in Yolanda, the Zamboanga siege and the landslide in Naga, Cebu, highlighting the need for a shared understanding of the risks presented in the communities.

Talking about dangerous phenomena that make up risk, Dr. Rosa Perez, member of the National Panel of Technical Experts, said that the Philippines aimed to minimize risks as much as possible. “We should asses how often these events occur, their effects, how bad they are and what can we do to address the bad effects and harness the good ones,” she said.

The Philippines remains at the top of world risk indices due to several vulnerability factors so the government, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, continues to find ways to address effectively the challenges of disasters and build national resilience.

Citi Philippines Global Community Day photo wins at the 10thAmCham CSR photo contest

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Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed (left) receives the award given by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Foundation for Best Photo in the “Creating Sustainable Livelihood Category” together with corporate affairs head Lisa Coory (middle) and citizenship officer Jackie Ampil (right). The photo shows Citi employees assisting the community women of Gawad Kalinga’s BayanihanVillage, as they learn to cook healthy meals for their families and for a home-based business. This activity is part of Global Community Day, a time-honored annual tradition where Citi employees in different parts of the world come together with their families and friends to share their time, skills and expertise in the cities where they live and work.