Bring healthy baon and...stun gun to school?

MANILA, Philippines – Parents should prepare healthy snacks or baon for their children when school starts next week, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) said.

Parents should encourage and guide their children to choose wisely and read the labels to make sure the food they choose are nutritious.

“Always think of food safety when preparing food for your children,” the FNRI said.

“As parents it is your responsibility to allow or reject the food that your children choose.”

FNRI scientist Trinidad Trinidad suggested local root crops like sweet potato (kamote), taro (gabi) and yam (ube) as baon for the kids.

“These are good sources of dietary fiber and resistant starch,” Trinidad said.

Trinidad said dietary fiber is good for bowel movement and can prevent constipation.

It is also a source of sustained energy and good memory.

Low calorie foods can also prevent obesity and diabetes.

Trinidad said root crops are also a good source of Vitamin A, which is good for the eyes and prevents diarrhea.

Trinidad also urged parents to have their children bring fresh fruits as snacks.

The FNRI also called on parents to plan a menu of lunch and snacks for the whole week.

“Remember that the menu should be healthy, easy to prepare, and attractive to kids,” FNRI said.

It would also help if the children themselves were allowed to prepare their baon.

“Allow children to help prepare the meal. It takes longer but encourages interest in the food,” FNRI said.

The FNRI also urged students to increase physical activities in school.

An FNRI study showed 86 percent of high school students in Metro Manila are physically inactive, which could result in increased health risks.

Authorities, on the other hand, are busy preparing for the scheduled opening of classes on June 10.

Police have beefed up security around school zones across the country in the effort to discourage petty crimes and attacks against students.

Police authorities in Central Luzon, for instance, even advised students to bring along non-lethal weapons as protection against muggers.

“If possible, bring a canister of tear gas or pepper spray or a stun gun,” said a guideline released by the regional police headquarters at Camp Olivas based in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Police advised students against wearing expensive jewelry and carrying excess cash.

“Remember, in any situation, presence of mind always pays off,” the police guideline stressed.

Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Errol Pan said the entire police force in the region was tasked to implement Oplan Balik Eskwela 2008 of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“The Central Luzon Police Office has already directed all provincial and city police directors to deploy policemen in schools, both public and private, to make sure that pupils and students will not fall prey to criminal elements who may take advantage of the back-to-school influx,” Pan said.  – With Ding Cervantes