“Tong-its” causes malnutrition, poor school performance

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
October 15, 2007

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  “Tong-its” is one cause of malnutrition among children in several rural areas of Eastern Samar.  This was observed by the Communication Task Force (CTF) of UNICEF’s Sixth Country Program for Children (CPC-6).

This small time gambling session using cards came out in a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGD) which were conducted by the CTF in the disparity barangays of the province.  Again, in an Advocacy and Planning Conference held recently with some elementary school teachers the same complain surfaced:  “Tong-its” is commonly observed among mothers, even those lactating ones.

Miss Vanessa Caspe of Oras School District claimed that some young children are perhaps no longer attended to by their mothers before they leave for school. She suspects that  even at the first crack of dawn mothers are all set likewise for their favorite past time while children are left behind to fend for themselves, which would mean to a helpless child seeing a boiled banana or camote, on the table for his breakfast and nothing more.

Provincial Nutritionist, Sally Jabinal stressed that proper nutrition need not be expensive.  It is a matter of preparation.  The humbly camote tops which is a good source of Vitamin A may not be boiled as in the old practice.  After washing the leaves thoroughly, they can be put inside a frying pan and without adding water, cover it and put it on fire, and presto! After a few minutes the family can have a delicious and very nutritious vegetable.

Understandably, malnutrition as a poverty indicator can have several causes and mothers glued to “Tong-its” can only be one.

“There is easy money in the game”, Caspe said, “that perhaps mothers are tempted to focus most of their time.  They also enjoy because the game is quick and thrilling”, Caspe said, who chanced upon one of the gambling mothers. The same mother according to Caspe, argued that it can be painful to stop playing “tong-its” because when she wins in the game, she goes home with several stuffs for the house, from laundry soap to sugar and coffee and pancit canton for her children.  But when she loses, she thinks and tries again for the next time around that is why, Caspe said, the game will always be patronized by mothers…Breastfeeding mothers find it very convenient also in the “Tong-its” because they just have to breastfeed their youngs from their sides while at the same time attending to their game in front, Caspe quoted the gambling mother.

Malnutrition among young children is still prevalent in some disparity areas of the province, because of this, some interventions are never stopping.  Feeding programs are being conducted by DSWD with the Prep Schools.

The President’s Program with fortified rice, noodles and milk being distributed to elementary school children have also been implemented. Some NGOs are also into it. On the other hand, exclusive breastfeeding is very well practiced by most mothers, the FGDs found so.