Manila, March 5 -- The Philippine government is interested to replicate a Singaporean government model of investing in girls' and women's health even before they start conceiving or having families.

The interest comes following the recent bilateral meeting between Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Singapore Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, which concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on child development and women empowerment.

In Singapore, Gatchalian said government welfare programs cover the preconception stage, as studies show that women's overall health is vital for maternal-child health outcomes and, by extension, can sustain economic produc...