Legazpi: Government agencies are enhancing cooperation to address child malnutrition through nutrition, food security, and community-based interventions. Health officials emphasize that tackling this issue requires a comprehensive government approach.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference, DOH-Bicol Regional Nutrition Program Manager Christine Espiritu highlighted the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) as the government's flagship response. The project unites national agencies and local government units (LGUs) to improve nutrition services, especially for children during their first 1,000 days of life.
"The PMNP is our biggest response to malnutrition. It is a multisectoral effort where government agencies work together to address child malnutrition instead of relying on a single agency," Espiritu stated.
The project aims to increase the use of nutrition interventions, improve nutrition-related practices among families, and strengthen the capacity of LGUs to lead and sustain nutrition programs. PMNP focuses on improved nutrition governance, enhanced local nutrition action plans, capacity-building for local leaders, and strengthened nutrition service delivery.
Espiritu noted that the DOH continues to implement essential nutrition interventions, such as maternal, neonatal, infant, and young child nutrition services, micronutrient supplementation, food fortification, nutrition surveillance, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Attention is particularly given to the first 1,000 days, from pregnancy to age two, which is critical for physical and brain development.
At the provincial level, Albay has adopted complementary nutrition and food security programs to support the national initiative. Albay's Provincial Nutrition Program Manager Roan Mae Olfasa announced the implementation of the 2026 Dietary Supplementation Program on July 30, targeting 450 undernourished children and 225 at-risk pregnant and lactating women. Beneficiaries will receive enhanced Nutribun and CocoKiss with malunggay as supplementary food.
The province continues to implement the Go Green, Grow Green Albay Program and the "Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay sa Barangay" initiative, promoting community gardening to improve food security and encourage environmental stewardship. These programs provide support for children, pregnant and lactating women, senior citizens, and PWDs through the distribution of vegetable seeds and establishment of gardens.
Complementing these efforts is Project SAGANA (Sustainable Agriculture and Gulayan for Albayano Household for Nutrition and Advancement), led by the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office, encouraging families to establish household vegetable gardens as a sustainable source of nutritious food.
