Urgent Call for Action on Nutrition Plan

As the Philippines marks the 50th National Nutrition Month, there is an urgent call for widespread support of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028.

The plan aims to transform children’s nutrition, combat stunting, and address the rising rates of childhood overweight and obesity, as highlighted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and UNICEF.

Stunting affects 26% of children under five years old in the Philippines, leading to poor cognition, educational performance, and adverse outcomes later in life, such as lower wages and reduced productivity.

Since 2003, childhood overweight and obesity have nearly tripled, now classified as “high” by global standards.

Micronutrient deficiencies, including lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin A, affect many pregnant and lactating women and children.

According to a UNICEF study, the Philippines is among the countries with the highest rates of severe child food poverty, with children consuming only two of eight defined food groups.

“Every child has the right to proper nutrition. When children are well-nourished, they can better learn, play, and engage in their communities, while also being more resilient in the face of illness and crises. Good nutrition is a fundamental driver of development and is essential for nation-building,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

Stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, businesses, civil society, and communities, have endorsed the PPAN, charting a path to 2028.

However, more action is required to address the triple burden of malnutrition—stunting, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies—in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Philippine Development Plan for food security and nutrition.

“As we celebrate the 50th Nutrition Month, we call on all sectors of society to support the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition come alive in each and every barangay. We encourage local chief executives and other partners to implement local nutrition action plans that reflect this vision,” said Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Executive Director IV of the NNC. “In this Nutrition Month, we are addressing the low awareness of the PPAN. NNC’s survey showed that about 40 percent of respondents were aware of the PPAN.”

This year’s theme, “Sa PPAN: Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat!” (Through PPAN, let’s collaborate on nutrition security for all!), emphasizes collective efforts to ensure nutrition for all. The national launch in Koronadal City, in partnership with the South Cotabato provincial government, saw participants pledging to support the PPAN and learning from best practices in the SOCSKSARGEN region.

The Nutrition Month campaign aims to increase consumer demand for healthy diets and improve access to adequate, age-appropriate, nutrient-dense, diverse, safe, and sustainable diets.

The PPAN includes nutrition interventions across all life stages, emphasizing the need to educate families and communities on proper nutrition.

LGUs, responsible for delivering local nutrition services, are expected to align their local nutrition action plans with the PPAN.

Investment in nutrition should focus on the critical first 1,000 days, targeting at least 90% of pregnant women and children aged 0-23 months.

Additionally, interventions to halt obesity, such as policies reducing marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and promoting physical activity, are necessary.

The NNC calls on all stakeholders to converge services in PPAN priority areas, which include 34 provinces with the highest rates of child stunting and food poverty.

Recently, the NNC launched the PPAN Stakeholder Map, profiling interventions across municipalities and cities. Stakeholders are encouraged to support areas with program gaps.

UNICEF played a crucial role in shaping the future path, conducting focus group discussions, theory of change workshops, and developing an operational plan.