As the country commemorates Nutrition Month this coming July, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Junie E. Cua called on the public to lend a hand in raising more resources to fight malnutrition in the country.
“Mayroon po tayong taunang sweepstakes para sa nutrisyon. Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga kababayan natin sa pagpapalaki ng maaari nating iambag sa laban kontra malnutrisyon sa bansa,” Cua said.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), 95 Filipino children die every day from malnutrition, while 27 out of 1,000 do not get past their fifth birthday.
Republic Act No. 4621 mandates the PCSO to hold an annual special sweepstakes for the benefit of the Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines.
Cua highlighted the need for the country to seriously address the issue of malnutrition.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), 95 Filipino children die every day from malnutrition, while 27 out of 1,000 do not get past their fifth birthday.
The World Bank meanwhile noted that undernutrition persists in the country for nearly 30 years now.
It added that one in every three Filipino children below 5 years old suffering from stunting or “pagkabansot” (being small in size for their age).
“In our small way, we hope to be able to complement the Marcos administration’s efforts to combat malnutrition. Inaanyayahan natin ang ating mga kababayan na lumahok sa special sweepstakes for nutrition para kayo’y makatulong rin,” Cua said.
He also said that the agency will inform the public through its communication channels, including on social media, about the special draw.
