The Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines, together with 33 youth organizations and formations, signified their support for the mandatory fortification of wheat flour with folic acid. Collectively, the youth organizations represent more than 7,000 youth leaders and members in various universities and communities across the country.
The youth statement was made in support of the campaign led by the Spina Bifida Support Group Foundation, Inc., and its technical partners, namely the Food Fortification Initiative and Nutrition International. Several professional societies have also joined the campaign calling for the National Nutrition Council Governing Board to approve the Resolution for folic acid fortification of wheat flour:
- Philippine Association of Nutrition, Inc.
- Pediatric Nephrology Society of the Philippines
- Philippine Society of Pediatric Urology
- Philippine Pediatric Society
- InkluNasyon (PCUNCRPD, E-Net Philippines, LAPIS-Seesaw Channel, NORFIL Foundation, Inc)
- Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons
- Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
- International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (Foundation), Inc.
In addition to the call for flour fortification, the youth statement also mentioned the need to "ensure public access to folic acid supplements and increase awareness on the importance of dietary folate and folic acid supplementation to complement food fortification."
Overall, these interventions are geared towards the prevention of neural tube defects and improvement of birth outcomes, as well as the development of health-seeking behavior among the youth and Filipinos of reproductive age.
The following are the youth organizations that signified their support for the youth statement:
Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines
#FolicacidPH, National Social media Day and Youth Campaign for Folic acid Awareness
VYLH Father Saturnino Urios University
K4Health - VYLH Calapan City
National Youth Organization/Formation
Asian Medical Students Association - Philippines
University-based Youth Organizations
Alliance of Nationalist Doctors - Bicol University College of Medicine
Asian Medical Students Association - St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine
Cavite State University - The Asclepian Society
Health Sciences Society of the Ateneo (Ateneo de Manila)
Microbia (West Visayas State University)
Order of Asclepius (West Visayas State University)
Palawan State University School of Medicine Student Council
Philippine Association of Nutrition - Alpha Chapter (UP Diliman)
Philippine Association of Nutrition - Alpha Omega Chapter (UP Los Baños)
Philippine Association of Nutrition - Beta Zeta Chapter (Benguet State University)
Philippine Association of Nutrition – Phi Sigma Upsilon Chapter (Partido State University)
Silliman University Student Government Health Committee
Pre-Medical Society of the Ateneo - Senior High School (Ateneo de Manila)
St. Anthony's College - Nursing Department (Antique)
St. Luke's Medicine Student Council - St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine
The UPLB Genetics Society (UP Los Baños)
UP Film Circle (UP Los Baños)
UP Medicine Student Council (UP Manila)
UPV PH Pub (UP Visayas)
Community-based Youth Organizations
Abra Youth Organizations Society
Active Leaders and Peer Advocates for Greater Adolescent Health Development (Region VII)
Association of Dynamic Medics (Metro Manila)
Baseco Youth Cares Organization
Cebu Coalition of Student Councils
LeadUp Youth Alliance (Cebu)
Rotaract Club of Midtown Butuan - CSU Chapter (Butuan City)
Rotaract Club of Padre Garcia (Batangas)
Rotaract Club of San Pablo City (Laguna)
United Young Leaders Coalition (Region VII)
Youth Alliance for Community Care, Environmental Sensitivity, and Sustainability (Albay)
Read the full statement. (RPPascual)
