Manila: The National Nutrition Council (NNC) on Thursday emphasized the need for stronger food systems, sustained multisectoral action, and protective measures for household purchasing power to ensure Filipino families can access safe and nutritious food.
According to Philippines News Agency, the NNC highlighted data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which shows that the global cost of a healthy diet rose by 25 percent from 2021 to 2024, increasing from approximately PHP195 to PHP242. In the Philippines, affordability remains a significant challenge. The 2023 National Nutrition Survey by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute revealed that Filipino families often purchase food from "sari-sari" stores (73 percent), main public markets (58 percent), and neighborhood wet markets (49 percent) with limited budgets ranging from PHP100 to PHP500 per shopping trip.
NNC Executive Director Albert Domingo stated, 'Families are affected by food prices. This is no longer just a matter of expenses, but also of the nutrition and health of our citizens, especially children and other vulnerable sectors. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the strengthening of food security.'
To tackle these issues, the NNC is promoting nutrition and food security initiatives under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028. This plan emphasizes collaboration among government, private sector, and community groups through school and community gardens, along with campaigns advocating for local, nutritious, and climate-resilient foods like mung beans, malunggay, eggs, sardines, and root crops.
As the country observes Nutrition Month this July with the theme 'Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!' (Nutrition and Nature, Let Us Nurture!), the NNC is urging all sectors to take concrete steps toward making food sufficient, affordable, and accessible. Domingo added, 'Through cooperation, we can advance the goals of the PPAN and ensure that every Filipino has access to sufficient and nutritious food today and in the future. Because with PPAN: we can act together for adequate nutrition for all.'
