By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine government is interested to replicate a Singaporean government model of investing in girls’ and women’s health even before they start conceiving or having families.
The interest comes following the recent bilateral meeting between Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Singapore Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, which concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on child development and women empowerment.
In Singapore, Gatchalian said government welfare programs cover the preconception stage, as studies show that women’s overall health is vital for maternal-child health outcomes and, by extension, can sustain economic productivity of citizens in a society.
“Sa kanila, hindi mo aantayin upon conception. Tayo kasi ang concept natin ng first 1,000 days, upon conception (For them, you don’t have to wait for conception to provide intervention. Here in the Philippines, the concept is the first 1,000 days starts upon conception),” he said.
“In Singapore, kapag alam nila na childbearing age na or magpa-pamilya na ‘yong babae, kailangan subaybayan mo na (support is given once the woman is already at a childbearing age),” he added.
This kind of support, he said, may come not only in the form of financial aid but also through free health screenings and holistic services, such as free courses that teach the women how to properly rear their children when they become pregnant.
“Medyo bago ‘yong paradigm na yun. So nagpapunta na tayo ng mga social workers and we’re going to start working on the details already, operationalizing it (That concept is still quite new. That’s why we’ve already sent social workers to Singapore so we can start working on the details already),” he said.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na nauunawaan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na ang pamumuhunan o pag-alaga, pag-aruga sa kanila mga kababaihan sa pamilya, even if hindi pa siya nagbubuntis ay pamumuhunan sa ating bansa (We will make sure that every Filipino family knows the importance of investing and caring for women even if they are yet to bear child),” he added.
The Philippine-Singapore MOU on the field of social sector development was formalized on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community meetings in Makati City on Wednesday.
The agreement covers the exchange of information and experiences in the implementation of programs on social protection and family and child development, including developments related to the “First 1,000 Days of a Child” and child protection.
Other areas of cooperation include programs for persons with disabilities.
Under the MOU, Singapore and the Philippines will also promote institutional linkages, and conduct institutional visits to facilities and centers that serve the needs of families, children and persons with disabilities. (PNA)
