Business groups urge gov't to curb malnutrition to improve education outcomes

A teacher guides her pupils with their tasks as face-to-face classes resume at St. Mary Elementary school in Marikina City on June 20, 2022, Monday.

THE STAR / Walter Bollozos

MANILA, Philippines — The private sector and business groups have called on the Marcos administration to solve children’s undernutrition, which had led to students’ underwhelming performance in schools. 

At a forum co-led by Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Makati Business Club (MBC), leaders in the business industry sounded the alarm on how the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation could deepen poverty and lead to even more stunting, or when a child is small in size for their age.

“Child malnutrition caused by poverty leads to poor learning. Poor learning leads to poverty, and poverty leads to malnutrition. It's a vicious cycle that affects at least 26 million Filipinos. We need to stop it now,” said PBEd President Chito Salazar.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/14/2195384/business-groups-urge-govt-curb-malnutrition-improve-education-outcomes