8-year-old Daniel Magno “Chip” Gatmaytan inspired Sen. Miriam Santiago to file Senate Bill No. 3134 8-year-old Daniel Magno “Chip” Gatmaytan inspired Sen. Miriam Santiago to file Senate Bill No. 3134 (Philippines)

> Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate Bill No. 3134 called “Healthy Beverage Options Act of 2011″ in an aim to regulate the sales and distribution of soda-based products to mitigate against health risks posed to children and the general public.

Image Credit: IamJammed

                                                          The Little Lawmaker

An 8-year-old inspired the senator to take kids health seriously.  In 2011, Daniel Magno Gatmaytan, known to his family and friends as “Chip” has chosen to take on soft drinks as his public advocacy.   Chip is a student of Multiple Intelligence (M.I.) School in Quezon City and his advocacy started with the school’s annual project called ‘Kids Can’  where they encourage their students to take on a public advocacy.  His advocacy did not stop as mere compliance to a school project.  It ended as a serious advocacy for this 8-year-old boy.

His mother, Cielo Magno-Gatmaytan, an economist, describes in an interview how Chip painstakingly underwent all the hurdle to show his commitment and passion to his advocacy. He asked QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte to help make the regulation of children’s access to soft drinks a policy at least for his home city. He also talked with staff of three senators: Pia Cayetano, Ralph Recto, and TG Guingona.  He also asked to meet Sen. Santiago but she was not at her office during his visit.  But his pains have all been paid off. Early this month, Sen. Miriam Santiago filed a bill that will ban distribution of sodas in all public and private schools.

A truly inspiring kid!

source: IamJammed

Posted in: Daniel Magno Gatmaitan, Daniel Magno Gatmaytan, Little Chip, little lawmaker, pnews, Senate Bill No. 3134, soda problem