Gov’t taking ‘urgent, decisive’ actions to address malnutrition – PBBM

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

FILE: The “Walang Gutom” (No Hunger) Kitchen in Pasay City is the country’s first public and private food bank collaboration/soup kitchen. More than 10,000 individuals experiencing involuntary hunger have so far been served by the kitchen since the Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD launched the initiative on Dec. 16, 2024. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The government is taking “urgent, decisive, and multisectoral” action to address the immediate and underlying causes of malnutrition in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday.

During the 2024 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas Center, Quezon City, Marcos said his administration is implementing several programs to make sure that Filipinos, especially children, are receiving the proper nutrition.

This, as Marcos acknowledged the “deleterious” effects of malnutrition on Filipino children’s cognitive development and future.

“While we have made significant progress, it cannot be denied the Philippines continues to face complex nutritional challenges. Malnutrition exists at alarming levels across different stages of life throughout our country and it has multivarious effects,” Marcos said.

“In line with our commitment to addressing malnutrition, we have launched several key government programs,” he added.

Marcos said the Department of Health (DOH) has shifted its policy to improve its services in terms of the preventive and curative phases of healthcare.

He added that the Department of Agriculture is also making sure that Filipinos are not just getting enough food but are also receiving the right nutrition.

Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also launched a new cash grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) dubbed as the First 1,000 Days of Life to free the children from stunting and malnutrition.

“In that way, we somehow balance. So, nutrition is the key because we have seen the initiatives of the local government,” he said, noting that around PHP350,000 would be earmarked monthly for over 68,000 4Ps households with pregnant women and children aged 0 to 2.

Marcos said the DSWD’s Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program also seeks to decrease the incidence of voluntary hunger among low-income households.

“These efforts align with the goals of the Philippine Development Plan, which sets the target of achieving zero hunger by 2028, as part of our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.