The demographic dividend in the Philippines is often discussed as a potential source of economic growth. With one of the youngest populations in the world, there is a great opportunity for the country to benefit from the energy and productivity of its young workforce. However, current statistics show that many young people in the labor force are stuck in low-paying jobs without much room for advancement.
According to the April 2023 labor force survey, there are 20.1 million young people in the Philippines, accounting for 19 percent of the total population. Unfortunately, a significant portion of these young workers are employed in elementary occupations and service and sales roles. This situation not only limits their earning potential but also hinders their career growth.
To change the trajectory of our young people’s working lives, it is crucial to reform our educational system. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom II) has identified this as a priority and is actively discussing ways to prepare young students for higher-order jobs.
However, we must also pay attention to the physical and mental health of our students as they begin their academic journey. The 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey revealed alarming statistics, with nearly a third of children under 5 years old experiencing stunted growth and a fifth being underweight. These conditions have a negative impact on cognitive development, which in turn affects their ability to learn and concentrate in the classroom.
While this situation is widespread and tragic, it is not irreversible. Recent studies have shown that good nutritional supplementation, along with a stimulating home and school environment, can help the brain recover. Unfortunately, there is a lack of focused and effective programs to support children who suffer from early and chronic malnutrition. This is evident from the high prevalence of underweight children among those aged 5 to 10 years old, which is even higher than the rate among children under 5.
E-Net Philippines, a network of education reform advocates, along with the Alternative Budget Initiative, has consistently advocated for an increase in the government’s budget for feeding programs. The 2023 Department of Education (DepEd) budget allocates P5.7 billion for a school-based feeding program, targeting 1.7 million Kinder to Grade 6 learners. However, this falls short of the total number of children who should be covered. Additionally, the assessment parameters used by DepEd may need to be reviewed to better address the prevalence of stunted and underweight children.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also has a budget of P5.2 billion for a supplementary feeding program targeting 2 to 5-year-olds. Unfortunately, this program only reaches a small fraction of the target population, highlighting the inadequacy of the current policy.
Addressing child hunger is not just a health care, welfare, or food security issue—it is also an education issue. To benefit from the demographic dividend, we need to prioritize the health and well-being of our children. This means ensuring they have sufficient food and a nurturing environment for proper brain and emotional development. It is also essential to address the nutritional deficits among our adult population so they can effectively support and guide their children.
By focusing our efforts on eliminating child hunger, we can create an economy and society that thrive. This aligns with the administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda. It is crucial that both government and non-governmental actors work together to address this issue and provide the necessary support to our young people and their families.
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