File photo of a sari-sari store that sells junk food. (Photo by Celeste Anna R. Formoso)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Provincial Board of Palawan approved Tuesday a resolution urging municipal government officials and the local office of the Department of Education (DepEd) to spearhead the campaign against “junk food” in public and private schools to save students from kidney problems.
Philippine Councilors League - Palawan Chapter president and ex-officio Board member, Clarito Demaala IV, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that food or snacks with little or no preparation can cause kidney ailments, as well as memory and learning impairment among children. Demaala authored the approved Resolution No. 211-18.
Citing Article 2, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution, Demaala said the province, as part of the state, should “protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”
“Junk foods have low nutritional value. Nag-iikot kami ng schools dahil Nutrition Month itong July at meron akong estudyante na nakilala, at meron siyang problem sa kidney at the age of 10 years old. (We are making the rounds of schools because July is Nutrition Month and I met a student who has a kidney problem at the age of 10 years old.) Why? Because of this junk food, these easy food, and snacks,” he said.
Demaala said he is not against junk food per se as consumption can be managed by adults, but many children do not know control and how unhealthy food habits outside the home can have negative effects on their health.
Students need to eat healthy snacks, and municipal governments and the DepEd can influence school communities to ensure they do so, he added.
“Ang sa akin lang is to minimize para kahit papaano magkaroon ng ugali ang mga students natin na they need to eat healthy food and not junk foods (What I am after is to minimize consumption somehow and to instill in the students the mindset that they need to eat healthy food and not junk food),” he said.
Board Member Sharon Abiog-Onda commended Demaala for authoring the resolution that focuses on caring for the health of Palaweño students.
“We commend our colleague for authoring this measure for the good of our children. But not all schools are selling or promoting junk food. There are some I know already regulating the sale of junk foods in their canteens. That said, I am in support of this resolution,” she said.
Demaala’s proposed measure was passed by the majority of the members of the Provincial Board during their regular session. (PNA)
