Symbolic ‘100 million babies’ celebrate birthdays

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=12&rid=786675
• Monday, July 27, 2015

By Ercel Maandig [(PNA), RMA/CD/ERCEL MAANDIG]

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 27 (PNA) – Seven babies known as the “100 million babies” in Northern Mindanao celebrated their first birthday anniversary on Monday, the Population Commission (POPCOM) said here.

Jeremiah Cabasan, head of POPCOM’s regional Technical Division, said that 2 of the 7 babies were born in Cagayan De Oro City about 12:27 in the morning of July 27 exactly a year ago.

Cabasan identified the 2 symbolic “100 million babies” in Cagayan De Oro City as Julianne Mahognay Cobayan, born in the city-run J.R.Borja Memorial Hospital, and Rundy Boy P. Dantes, Jr., born in the government-run Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) here.

Five other “100 million babies” were born in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City in Lanao Del Norte, and the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental, he said.

Cabasan said that the babies got the moniker as the “100 million babies” because they figuratively symbolized when the country reached the 100 million, population mark after they were born.

He said that the parents and various government line agencies joined and offer “lifetime” gift during the birthday celebration of the 2 babies known as “100 million babies” at the POPCOM regional office here on Monday.

Cabasan said that the PhilHealth regional office extended birthday gift - a lifetime PhilHealth membership renewable annually.

He said that the 100 million babies are also entitled to free education in public schools until they would finish their college education.

The Nutrition Council of the Philippines and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would also provide a lifetime supply of vitamins and foods to the 100 million babies in Northern Mindanao.

“The POPCOM regional office also extends Php 10,000 cash assistance to each of the parents of the 2 “100 million babies” during the birthday celebration here,” Cabasan said.

Cabasan said that the national government would monitor the lifetime growth of the 100 million babies because the babies symbolized the country’s struggle against malnutrition and the desire of the government provide education to the country’s youth.