Manila (1 August) -- Stressing the importance of starting the day with a full stomach, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the Healthy Start Child Nutrition Program (HSCNP) by hosting a symbolic child-feeding activity at the Flora Central Elementary School Flora, Apayao.

In her speech keynoting the event, the President said that it was imperative that children take a nutritious breakfast to ensure that they have a "malusog na simula" for the day to cope with the rigors of school life.

"Bawa't bata ay kailangan ng healthy start o malusog na simula sa araw-araw at malusog na simula sa buhay," the President said.

"Ang isang malakas at malusog na bata ay katumbas sa isang malakas at malusog na bansa," she added.

The President pointed out that the national supplemental feeding program "ay naglalayong punuin sa araw-araw ang ating mga bata ng pag-asa gayundin isang malusog na almusal" (this program is intended to provide children with nutritious breakfast everyday when they come to school to give hope of achieving their own dreams and ambitions).

"Dapat nating busugin ang mga puso at isipan ng ating mga bata sa pamamagitan ng biyaya ng edukasyon, subalit bago mangyari ito, kailangan na mabusog din ang tiyan," the President said.

"Ang ating mga bata ay dapat simulan ang bawat araw ng masaya, malusog at puno ng pag-asa," she added.

The President also further said that children should only concern themselves with studying and learning their lessons and should not be burdened with the task of providing their basic needs.

"Ang dapat lamang nilang pasumikapan ay karunungan at hindi ang pangunahing pangangailangan ng pagkain sa mesa kapag almusal," the President said.

"Ang ating mga bata ay dapat simulan ang bawat araw ng masaya, malusog at puno ng pag-asa," she added.

She stressed that providing the children with nutritious food to start the day is the best thing the country and government can do for its citizens.

After her speech, the President distributed bowls of arroz caldo to 24 first graders of the Flora Central Elementary School to formally inaugurate the HSCNP.