The House of Representatives hosted a seminar promoting awareness for a heathy lifestyle among children and Filipinos.
The seminar, entitled Champions of Children’s Optimal (COCO) Heart Health, highlights the profound responsibility of parents, guardians, educators and healthcare professionals “in ensuring that children grow up strong, resilient, and healthy.”
Committee on the Welfare of Children chairperson and BHW Partylist Representative Angelica Natasha Co said a healthy heart is more than just a physical necessity—it supports our children in every way, giving them the energy, strength and resilience to learn, play and thrive.
“The choices we make today from providing nutritious meals to encouraging physical activity and regular health checks, play a pivotal role in securing their future.”
“The choices we make today from providing nutritious meals to encouraging physical activity and regular health checks, play a pivotal role in securing their future,” Co said.
The legislator undertook the advocacy for children’s heart health after her godchild, Coco Franciso, aged 12 years old, passed away recently due to a heart disease. The lady lawmaker described Coco as a smart young boy.
“His life may be short, but this story will touch many lives, and today we start to weave that story so that for many children, this will be the heart of a bright and healthy future for all of them — heart health, that is what our advocacy will be,” she said.
A vice chairperson of the committee on health, Co said many children are born with congenital heart issue or develop conditions that go undetected, leading to tragic outcomes that might have been prevented through early screening, better awareness and access to quality healthcare.
Dr. Alberto Atilano, director of the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, discussed prevention of cardiovascular disease and the relevance of prevention.
Atilano said the bulk of government resources goes to secondary prevention but recently the government’s move is towards primary prevention with the DOH partnering with LGUs.
“Together, we can make heart health a foundation of our children’s growth and well-being.
Co encouraged the participants to share their learnings back to their families and communities, “Together, we can make heart health a foundation of our children’s growth and well-being.”
The forum was another event organized in observance of the National Children’s Month.
Students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Quezon City attended the forum.
