TO strengthen the nutrition program for the first 1000 days of life through sustainable health care services for soon to be mothers, infants and young children, the Manila City Council, led by Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo’ Nieto enacted Manila City’s First 1000 days of Life Ordinance.

Filed by Councilor Science Reyes from Manila’s 4th District and Councilor Ernesto “Jong” C. Isip from the 3rd District, the ordinance aims to maximize the health benefits of the period known as the “Golden Window of Opportunity” where good nutrition is given to the soon to be mother, the infant and the growing up child, to ensure the infant’s proper growth and development, starting from the mother’s conception to the child’s second birthday.

In her speech, Reyes stated that this is now being practiced by some couples who want to get married. The ordinance aims to orient the soon-to-be mothers about the importance of good nutrition beginning with the first day of pregnancy up to the child’s growing up years, with the help of the Manila Health Department.

City Council’s Presiding Officer and presently acting Mayor said the ordinance, which was approved unanimously and enacted on October 3, 2023, could be a way of ensuring that the next generation of young Manilenos will be healthy, as envisioned by the City of Manila’s Responsible Parenthood Program.

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Edd Reyes