A DAVAO City councilor wants all schools in the city to have "A Minute Water Break."
Councilor Jessica Bonguyan said she recommends all schools in the city to have a mandatory water break, wherein a school may ring a bell thrice a day as a reminder for all students and also the faculty and staff to drink water.
Bonguyan, who is a registered nurse, said drinking water is important, especially for children, to stay healthy.
"Drinking adequate amount of water is among the most essential requirements of life," the councilor said in her privilege speech on Tuesday, December 3.
She said her proposal, which promotes water drinking, would refrain them from drinking too much sugar-sweetened beverages.
Bonguyan said the school has a role in reminding the students to have a regular water intake, as part of its role "in promoting healthy and providing a healthy environment."
"Water boost learning for our children. They will achieve more when both their healthy and learning are met," Bonguyan said.
She said recent studies showed that one of the factors of malnutrition is due to lack of water intake.
She also cited medical doctor Steven Guest, saying adequate hydration may improve cognitive function in children.
"In fact, it has been found that growing children have tendency to drink less water than required by the body which has many ill effects on the health. Not to mention the urinary tract infection (UTI) among children," Bonguyan said, adding she had "witnessed a lot of cases or illnesses associated with lack of water intake."
The councilor lobbied her proposal under first reading, and was referred to Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, who heads the committee on health, and to Councilor Pilar Braga, who heads the committee on education.