9 provinces to adopt Quezon’s health program

MANILA, Philippines - At least nine provinces will adopt a program pioneered by the provincial government of Quezon dubbed 1,000 Days of Life or Q1K, focusing on expectant mothers and their children, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The provinces have yet to be identified even as the DOH launched the program recently.

Quezon Gov. David Suarez volunteered to be the program’s spokesperson. He said his wife ALONA party-list Rep. Ana Marie Villaraza-Suarez had filed House Bill 899 which seeks to provide a comprehensive maternal and child care program across the country.

The project name was taken from the first 1,000 days since conception, which was widely recognized by experts as the most important period of a child’s development. During the period, the beneficiaries will be extensively provided with health, nutrition and parenting services by the government.

“The future of every Filipino child should be protected. This gives every child a fighting chance to have a better future starting from conception. I am overwhelmed with the success of the program which can now help other provinces.” Suarez said.

The program is being implemented in Quezon since last year. It has drawn the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Early Childhood Care and Development Council, National Nutrition Council and DOH among other agencies.