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Filipino children, hungry for a better future
Biyaheng Totoo: Filipino children, hungry for a better future
“The youth is the hope of our future,” our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal once said. But what kind of future awaits the Philippines if its children belong to the third poorest sector of society?
In her report for the GMA News special series “Biyaheng Totoo,” reporter Claire Delfin visited the province of Antique to learn about the plight of children who work to help augment the meager income of their families.
Some of them, like brothers Arvin and Adrian Malano, still go to school but sacrifices rest and play time for work. They collect and sell seaweed during their lunch break and after school hours.
But for nine-year-old Jobert Juanites, whose parents do not have a permanent job, it’s better to work and eat than to study and go hungry. “Kailangan kong magtrabaho para may makain kami,” Jobert says.
Arvin, Adrian and Jobert are only three out of 5.5 million working Filipino children listed by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Will their lives be improved by the country’s new batch of leaders to be elected this 2013?
Here are some behind the scenes photos from Claire’s “Biyaheng Totoo” report:
When the “Biyaheng Totoo” team visited Caluya Island, they found young Arvin (in the photo) diving for seaweed. In Antique, seaweed are sold at P8 per kilo. It may seem small, but for a poor family like Arvin and Adrian’s, this amount dictates their survival.
The “Biyaheng Totoo” team asked 12-year-old Arvin (center) to write down his “wishlist” for the government. Reporter Claire Delfin helps him put his letter into the “Biyaheng Totoo” ballot box. On days when they aren’t able to harvest any seaweed, Arvin and Adrian endure their hunger by sleeping. “Matutulog [kami] nang walang laman ang tiyan. Paggising, masakit ang tiyan. Nanghihina ako,” shares Arvin.
Rovelyn Malano (second from the left), Arvin and Adrian’s mother, says she does not want to send her children to work, but poverty leaves her with no choice: “Masakit sa akin dahil naransan din ng mga anak ko ‘yung hirap ko nung bata pa ako. Mas mahirap pa ang buhay nila ngayon.”
According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), seven out of every 10 families in Antique don’t get enough to eat. The government implements a supplementary feeding program for the youth, but according to Zenaida Marfil, Nutrition Coordinator of Department of Education, it is not enough to meet the daily nutritional requirements of the children: “Kulang sa budget at continuity ang programa, kaya hindi na-su-sustain.”
In this photo are students from Imba Elementary School in Antique. According the school’s principal, Lucena Concepcion, most of them are undernourished: “Hindi makapag-focus ang bata kasi gutom. Lutang ang isip.”
The FNRI says the province of Antique has the most number of children aged 5 to 10 who are undernourished. Their study also showed that two out of every 10 children are underweight based on age, while two out of 5 are underweight based on height.
Jobert’s school records show that he has more absences than his attendance. He chooses to help in his family by working with the farmers and carrying heavy farming materials. His parents do not have a permanent job. “Gusto ko po sanang mag-aral para magka-pera kami. Pero wala naman akong pangkain, kaya ‘di na ako pumapasok,” he says.
If others dream of wealth, fancy cars or fame, Jobert’s wish is as simple as having food to eat and shelter for his family. These are not mere wants, but basic human rights.
As the old saying goes, we only go through childhood once. But every election, the chance to change the lives of children like Arvin, Adrian and Jobert are in the hands of voters.
Research and photos by GMA News Special Assignments Team.
Photo essay produced by Rica Fernandez.
-PF, GMA News
“The youth is the hope of our future,” our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal once said. But what kind of future awaits the Philippines if its children belong to the third poorest sector of society?
In her report for the GMA News special series “Biyaheng Totoo,” reporter Claire Delfin visited the province of Antique to learn about the plight of children who work to help augment the meager income of their families.
Some of them, like brothers Arvin and Adrian Malano, still go to school but sacrifices rest and play time for work. They collect and sell seaweed during their lunch break and after school hours.
But for nine-year-old Jobert Juanites, whose parents do not have a permanent job, it’s better to work and eat than to study and go hungry. “Kailangan kong magtrabaho para may makain kami,” Jobert says.
Arvin, Adrian and Jobert are only three out of 5.5 million working Filipino children listed by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Will their lives be improved by the country’s new batch of leaders to be elected this 2013?
Here are some behind the scenes photos from Claire’s “Biyaheng Totoo” report:
When the “Biyaheng Totoo” team visited Caluya Island, they found young Arvin (in the photo) diving for seaweed. In Antique, seaweed are sold at P8 per kilo. It may seem small, but for a poor family like Arvin and Adrian’s, this amount dictates their survival.
The “Biyaheng Totoo” team asked 12-year-old Arvin (center) to write down his “wishlist” for the government. Reporter Claire Delfin helps him put his letter into the “Biyaheng Totoo” ballot box. On days when they aren’t able to harvest any seaweed, Arvin and Adrian endure their hunger by sleeping. “Matutulog [kami] nang walang laman ang tiyan. Paggising, masakit ang tiyan. Nanghihina ako,” shares Arvin.
Rovelyn Malano (second from the left), Arvin and Adrian’s mother, says she does not want to send her children to work, but poverty leaves her with no choice: “Masakit sa akin dahil naransan din ng mga anak ko ‘yung hirap ko nung bata pa ako. Mas mahirap pa ang buhay nila ngayon.”
According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), seven out of every 10 families in Antique don’t get enough to eat. The government implements a supplementary feeding program for the youth, but according to Zenaida Marfil, Nutrition Coordinator of Department of Education, it is not enough to meet the daily nutritional requirements of the children: “Kulang sa budget at continuity ang programa, kaya hindi na-su-sustain.”
In this photo are students from Imba Elementary School in Antique. According the school’s principal, Lucena Concepcion, most of them are undernourished: “Hindi makapag-focus ang bata kasi gutom. Lutang ang isip.”
The FNRI says the province of Antique has the most number of children aged 5 to 10 who are undernourished. Their study also showed that two out of every 10 children are underweight based on age, while two out of 5 are underweight based on height.
Jobert’s school records show that he has more absences than his attendance. He chooses to help in his family by working with the farmers and carrying heavy farming materials. His parents do not have a permanent job. “Gusto ko po sanang mag-aral para magka-pera kami. Pero wala naman akong pangkain, kaya ‘di na ako pumapasok,” he says.
If others dream of wealth, fancy cars or fame, Jobert’s wish is as simple as having food to eat and shelter for his family. These are not mere wants, but basic human rights.
As the old saying goes, we only go through childhood once. But every election, the chance to change the lives of children like Arvin, Adrian and Jobert are in the hands of voters.
Research and photos by GMA News Special Assignments Team.
Photo essay produced by Rica Fernandez.
-PF, GMA News
