Strengthening Capacities of Nutrition Leaders and Frontliners in Sta. Monica, Siargao

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In the coastal town of Sta. Monica in Siargao Island, the local government has long been committed to addressing nutrition issues, but new efforts to strengthen the roles of stakeholders are showing promising results. 

While the town has existing nutrition programs, their partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) through its Municipal Nutrition Governance Program (MNGP)-Nutrition and Health Leadership (NutriHeaL) under the Ahon Siargao initiative took a more focused approach. This program aims to enhance coordination and equip local leaders to take more impactful actions in addressing malnutrition, particularly stunting.

Sta. Monica faces a pressing issue with child stunting, having ranked among the top three municipalities in Surigao del Norte for the condition, according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC). Despite having nutrition programs like supplemental feeding in place, the prevalence of stunting among children under two was still at 32.17% in 2021. 

Sta. Monica is a coastal town with a population of 9,554 people spread across 11 barangays. Most of the residents rely on fishing for their livelihood, which often leaves them vulnerable to economic instability. Dr. Arlene Sebastian, Municipal Health Officer, believes that poverty is a major contributor to the ongoing problem. “Poverty is not merely the absence of adequate food on the table; it’s also the struggle to sustain any progress made, even with supplemental feeding, due to the ongoing challenges faced by families and caregivers,” said Dr. Sebastian. 

A Deep Dive into Local Realities

To better understand the local context, Sta. Monica’s leadership participated in a Deep Dive, a guided community immersion, which involved visiting a family in Barangay Mabuhay. This event opened the eyes of local leaders to the harsh realities families face. Mayor Arwela Dolar shared that the experience deepened her empathy and reshaped her understanding of nutrition’s importance. Before participating in the program, she had viewed nutrition as the responsibility of health and nutrition officers. However, she now sees it as a broader issue that involves education, poverty, and awareness.

Dianette Evangelista, Budget and HR Officer, observed that one of the main problems is a lack of nutritional knowledge among mothers, even though they may know what they should be doing. Many families struggle to implement proper nutrition practices, and there is a general misconception that nutrition is only a concern during Nutrition Month every July, rather than an ongoing responsibility.

Leadership Actions for Change

With a renewed sense of urgency, the Sta. Monica team started adopting more comprehensive strategies to tackle nutrition. The Municipal Nutrition Action Plan (MNAP) for 2023-2025 was introduced, providing a clear roadmap for addressing nutrition needs in the coming years. The town also implemented national policies like the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-nanay Act, which focuses on improving the health and nutrition of mothers and children, and the Milk Code, which promotes breastfeeding.

Regular quarterly meetings of the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC), led by Mayor Arwela, have become a vital platform for planning and evaluating nutrition-related initiatives. These meetings allow stakeholders to align their efforts and ensure progress. Additionally, the town has invested in nutrition monitoring tools such as salter scales, laptops, and record books to improve data collection and evidence-based planning.

The local government is also focused on strengthening the roles of local leaders through training. This includes the Barangay Leadership and Planning for Nutrition Security (BLPNS) Training, which was rolled out to all barangays in December 2023, helping local leaders understand the importance of nutrition security.

Community Engagement and Policy Development

To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO), Medelyn Dolar, has been advocating for increased community participation and involvement in nutrition planning. The town’s focus is not only on government intervention but also on empowering barangay leaders and residents to take responsibility for improving nutrition outcomes.

Trainings for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and Barangay Health (BHWs) Workers were also conducted on various aspects of nutrition, including lactation management, mental health, and healthy lifestyles, all aimed at equipping the community with the knowledge they need to make better nutrition choices.

Positive Outcomes and Progress

Sta. Monica has made notable progress in improving nutrition indicators. Stunting among children aged 0-59 months decreased from 32.17% in 2021 to 20.00% in 2022, though it slightly increased to 21.10% in 2023. Wasting also saw a reduction from 7.68% in 2021 to 2.40% in 2022, though it rose again to 4.70% in 2023. This fluctuation can be linked to the increase in the coverage of Operation Timbang Plus, which grew from 66.09% in 2021 to 86.61% in 2023.

The town now conducts monthly monitoring of key nutrition indicators, ensuring that early interventions are made for malnourished children. Through these efforts, the Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) continues to provide crucial nutrition support to children aged 6 to 59 months, with multivitamins being distributed to pregnant women as well.

As Sta. Monica continues its work to improve the health and nutrition of its residents, there is hope that with sustained efforts, the prevalence of malnutrition will decrease. By engaging parents, strengthening leadership at all levels, and improving community awareness, Sta. Monica is paving the way for better health outcomes for its children and families.

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