“To be a leader is not always to be in power. I believe leadership is about responsibility, if you are a leader you should always take care of your constituents.” – Mayor Roderick “Oric” Furigay, Lamitan City, Basilan

Despite personal hardships, including the loss of his wife, Mayor Oric continued to serve his community and address health and nutrition challenges. He and his late wife, Rose, are credited with shaping Lamitan City’s development, having laid its foundation during their time in leadership.

Mayor Oric’s political career spans several decades, beginning in 1992 when he was elected to the Sangguniang Bayan. His dedication to public service led him to become the mayor in 2004, and he served three terms before passing the torch to his wife. After her passing, he resumed leadership, and through his efforts, Lamitan overcame challenges to secure cityhood in 2011, a legacy he continues to uphold.

As part of his ongoing commitment to Lamitan’s growth, Mayor Oric joined the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s Provincial Nutrition Governance Program in February 2022, recognizing the importance of improving the city’s health and nutrition. Under his leadership, Lamitan’s population of over 100,000 people benefits from his dedication to sustainable development and community well-being.

Collaboration with ZFF

Lamitan City’s partnership with ZFF actually began with Mayor Rose, who joined the Foundation’s Health Leaders for the Health Leaders for the Poor-Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (HLP-MLGP). During her time in the program, she improved healthcare access by hiring more medical staff, increasing PhilHealth accreditations, and recruiting additional Barangay Health Workers. These efforts resulted in better health outcomes, including an increase in facility-based deliveries.

In 2021, Mayor Oric continued this work by participating in ZFF’s PNGP. He took over the program in the final year of his late wife’s term, ensuring Lamitan City’s commitment to improving its nutrition governance despite the leadership transition. The city’s nutrition system was initially lacking key components, including a dedicated nutrition committee and action plan.

Taking action on nutrition

After initial discussions with ZFF, Lamitan City hired its first full-time City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO). 

Through the MNGP, Lamitan identified critical issues contributing to malnutrition, such as poor sector collaboration and misconceptions about stunting being hereditary. This led to a citywide effort to improve nutrition, with goals to secure sustainable funding and ultimately, reduce stunting and malnutrition.

The following are significant milestones achieved by Lamitan City under Mayor Oric’s leadership:

• City Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP): Developed in 2022 and approved by the Lamitan Sangguniang Panlungsod in 2023, the CNAP outlined nutrition interventions with a boosted budget of 5 million pesos for 2023.
• City Nutrition Committee (CNC): Regular meetings were held, allowing them to discuss relevant issues related to nutrition, leading to the passing of ordinances in support of nutrition. These included ordinances on the Use of Iodized Salt, the Establishment of a System for Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Nutrition (MNCHN) Strategy, and the Prohibition of Junk Foods.
• Barangay Engagement: By the end of 2022, Barangay Nutrition Committees (BNCs) were formed in 41 out of 45 barangays to address  malnutrition.
• Mayor’s Deep Dive: In December 2022, Mayor Oric visited Barangay Balas, witnessing firsthand the struggles of malnourished families, which drove him to integrate nutrition education into the ROSE Caravan, an outreach initiative targeting far-flung barangays. By including nutrition awareness in the program, the city ensured broader access to vital information about proper nutrition.
• Phase 2 of Barangay Engagement: In 2023, an executive session with barangay captains resulted in concrete actions to support the Mayor’s nutrition program, including high coverage of infant and young child feeding practices.
• Operation Timbang (OPT): In 2023 Lamitan achieved a 93.3% OPT coverage, the highest in Basilan, thanks to strong barangay support and efficient tracking by the OPT Task Force.

Throughout the 15-month program, Mayor Oric’s leadership focused on improving Lamitan’s nutrition system. These efforts led to a significant reduction in stunting from 21.7% in 2022 to 9.1% in 2023, and a decrease in wasting from 5.22% to 2.35%, marking substantial progress in addressing Lamitan’s nutrition challenges.

Rising above the ashes

Despite these successes, Lamitan faces ongoing challenges, including the need for more functional BNCs and behavioral change interventions for its diverse population. A decrease in OPT coverage to 84.3% and an increase in stunting rates to 15.4% in 2024 underscore the need for sustained effort.

To address these challenges, Mayor Oric plans to relaunch the ROSE Caravan as ROSE Caravan 2.0, expanding its focus to include broader nutrition interventions. The Barangay Leadership for Food and Nutrition Security (BLFNS) will target 10 priority barangays having highest malnutrition rates with tailored programs.

In 2024, Lamitan was selected as a pilot site for ZFF’s Pook Malusog Health and Nutrition Information System (HNIS) Dashboard, alongside Tipo-Tipo. Mayor Oric provided tablets for barangay use and assigned an IT specialist to oversee the system. For 2025, the city plans to hire a dedicated IT professional to manage the HNIS database and ensure smooth implementation. The upcoming 2025 OPT will serve as a test phase for the system in pilot barangays. 

Mayor Oric remains steadfast in his commitment to Lamitan’s growth. “We should once again work together to sustain our gains,” he said. “We will continue to provide a government of competence, integrity, and performance.”

For Laurence Navarro, entering the healthcare field was not a career decision but a personal connection to her family. Navarro, whose sister is a doctor, was inspired to follow a similar path by completing a Nursing degree.  

Faced with high maternal and infant mortality rates, limited healthcare staff, and the challenges of reaching remote areas, Laurence found her passion in public health. These obstacles strengthened her resolve to make a difference in the lives of others.

Laurence tackled the shortage of healthcare workers by advocating for better staffing and implementing training programs. Securing funding for health infrastructure improvements required building strong relationships with government officials and stakeholders. Despite these challenges, she found motivation in seeing the commitment of health workers and the unity of local leaders working toward better health services.

In 2016, Laurence became Nurse V and joined the Department of Health (DOH)-Ilocos, where she helped implement Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s Health Leadership and Governance Program. Her efforts led to four provinces completing the program, uniting local leaders to prioritize health in their communities.

For Navarro, seeing mayors and municipal health workers acknowledge the importance of health in their communities during these programs was truly rewarding. These initiatives helped create a united group of health leaders to drive positive change in the Ilocos region.   

Leading Universal Health Care (UHC)

Implementing the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law in 2019 was met with joy by those working in the public health sector. It marked a moment for Navarro and her colleagues in the region. UHC’s main objective is to provide health coverage to all Filipinos by addressing fragmentation in the local health systems, improving services and reducing out-of-pocket expenses—aspirations that align well with Navarro’s personal vision for her community.  

When she assumed the position of UHC Coordinator for the Ilocos Region in 2021, she initially experienced uncertainty and questioned her abilities. Could she handle the transition? As it turned out, she proved herself capable and her commitment to serving others remained steadfast. 

To help accelerate UHC implementation, DOH-Ilocos partnered again with ZFF, its long-time partner in public health leadership and governance through the Bayang Malusog program. The program provided leadership training, technical inputs, and coaching and mentoring sessions for regional and provincial leaders to improve UHC implementation.  

As the region’s UHC Coordinator, Navarro played a role in ensuring her region’s participation in UHC initiatives, which meant leading dialogues that initiated reforms that help enhance the skills of healthcare professionals, establish integrated financing methods, and improve healthcare services. 

Now in its final year of implementing the Bayang Malusog Leadership Development Program, DOH-Ilocos through Navarro, has proudly taken charge of coaching and providing technical assistance to the different provinces on UHC. To date, together with the regional UHC team, she has led the monitoring and mentoring of provinces on UHC’s Local Health Systems Maturity Level (LHS-ML), a set of metrics for the different provinces in tracking the requisites of a province-wide health system that is aligned to what is necessary for the UHC to be fully delivered to the people.  

“The program led the leaders to understand more about health, making them more attuned to the needs of the community. They realized that providing more than just infrastructure is crucial for their constituents’ well-being,” reflected Navarro.         

Inspired by this progress, Ilocos continues collaborating with local government units working on expanding health initiatives, introducing strategies to tackle emerging health issues, and continuing to enhance the skills of local healthcare leaders and workers. 

Inspiring Change

Laurence Navarro’s leadership journey shows the power of collaboration and resilience in public health. Her story is a testament to how governance, community engagement, and advocacy can bring universal healthcare closer to reality.

With compassion and strategic vision, Laurence continues to inspire positive change for her region, ensuring a healthier future for all.

On November 29, 2024, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) held the close-out ceremony for the fourth cycle of the Provincial Leadership and Governance Program (PLGP) in Agusan del Sur. The event, attended by Governor Santiago Cane Jr., Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jacqueline Momville, the Department of Health (DOH)-Caraga, and academic partner Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF), highlighted the province’s achievements in implementing Universal Health Care (UHC) since 2022.

Key programs and metrics under UHC, such as the Local Health System Maturity Level (LHS-ML), Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP), and Konsulta Registration and First Patient Encounter (FPE), were reviewed during the event.

Progress in UHC Implementation

Governor Cane celebrated the strides Agusan del Sur has made in strengthening its health systems. He shared, “We have worked tirelessly to improve our health systems, ensuring that every Agusanon has access to affordable and quality healthcare services.”

UHC LHS-ML has been a key measure of the province’s progress, guiding efforts to strengthen health services.

MLDP, a collaboration between the provincial government and municipal leaders, and supported by DMSF, played a key role in training mayors and Municipal Health Officers (MHOs) to enhance health governance. This training focused on leadership, resource management, and health system improvements, paving the way for more responsive healthcare in the province.

Konsulta Program Advances

The Konsulta program, which provides primary care services, was also highlighted. Thousands of families in Agusan del Sur are now registered, ensuring better access to preventive care. However, there is a need to speed up the program’s rollout to provide full financial protection for all residents.

Lessons and Next Steps

The close-out event served as a platform for reflection and planning. Dr. Jacqueline Momville stressed the importance of collaboration between the provincial government, DOH, and local leaders to sustain and expand progress. She noted, “The success of UHC is not just about implementation; it’s about creating a culture of health governance that empowers our local leaders and benefits every citizen.”

DOH-Caraga was commended for its technical assistance and guidance, which helped address challenges and achieve health milestones. Governor Cane urged the Provincial Health Office team to make full use of the 25% IRA allocation for health to strengthen UHC initiatives further.

Looking Ahead

While much has been achieved, more work is needed to realize UHC’s full potential in Agusan del Sur. The provincial government, with its partners, is committed to reaching every community with quality healthcare.

The close-out event celebrated the progress made through ZFF’s Health Change Model and set the foundation for continued improvements in the years to come.

The Province of Dinagat Islands continues to make strides in improving health and nutrition outcomes through its partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). As part of the Nutrition Leadership and Equity Acceleration Program (NutriLEAP), the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC), also known as the Governor’s Guiding Coalition for Nutrition, recently conducted a participatory assessment of their 2024 Local Nutrition Action Plan (PNAP) using the ZFF Pook Malusog PNAP Assessment Tool last November 19, 2024.

This workshop brought together PNC members and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) from all seven municipalities to evaluate the province’s plans, budgets, and implementation strategies. The assessment focused on identifying gaps in workforce capacity, equipment, and commodity availability while ensuring the PNAP is comprehensive, responsive, and well-aligned with the province’s nutrition challenges.

Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., an active participant in NutriLEAP, leads this initiative with a vision to establish equitable and sustainable nutrition governance. The assessment provided valuable insights from ground-level realities, enabling the province to refine its targets, resources, and interventions to better combat malnutrition—particularly among vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children under two years old.

Key outputs of the workshop included actionable steps to strengthen the PNAP over the next three years, ensuring a focused response to malnutrition. This initiative highlights the critical role of intersectoral collaboration, proactive planning, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving long-term nutrition goals.

Through NutriLEAP, Dinagat Islands reaffirms its commitment to transforming nutrition governance and securing healthier futures for its communities.

Motherhood brought Dr. Johnmae Charity “Chay” Cañezal to the Department of Health (DOH) from the clinical setting. When she made the change in November 2018, Dr. Cañezal was initially unsure about going into public health. Her perspective changed dramatically when she realized the more significant impact she could make in the public health sector. “Public health is very different from clinical practice. In the hospital, I was focused on individual patients. In public health, I work with communities, influencing policies and systems that affect thousands of lives,” she explains.

Personal circumstances also drove her transition. Pregnant and facing the challenges of long hospital shifts, Dr. Cañezal chose a position in the DOH regional office to balance her professional and family life. This decision opened her eyes to the critical importance of health systems development and multi-stakeholder collaboration, skills she would soon hone to champion the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law in the Philippines. 

Taking On Regional Health Challenges 

Like many regions in the country, Eastern Visayas faces high rates of maternal and child mortality and suffers from insufficient healthcare infrastructures and trained healthcare workers, among other challenges. Healthcare delivery has become a significant challenge due to the region’s geographical barriers and natural disasters. Comprising three main islands of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran, Eastern Visayas is used to the onslaught of typhoons. 

Before the implementation of UHC, the region’s health indicators were alarming. Dr. Cañezal recalls, “There was a lack of policy and guidelines, and the health system was fragmented. Public health policies were not effectively implemented at the local level, which hindered our ability to provide consistent and quality care.”

Dr. Cañezal soon realized that her post in the DOH as the Regional UHC Coordinator had a simple task—having each citizen feel the effects of UHC—but the road to realizing it is not easy at all. There are many factors to consider: from rallying awareness from their Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to going out of their comfort zone and doing presentations for students about to enter the healthcare sector, whether private or public. The challenges were multifaceted and riddled with bureaucratic hurdles, resource constraints, and resistance to change. 

Bringing All the Elements Together

One of the turning points in Dr. Cañezal’s work came with the engagement of the different stakeholders and the partnership between the DOH and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF). This collaboration aimed to strengthen health leadership and governance, improve service delivery, and ensure sustainable health financing. Dr. Cañezal was at the forefront of this partnership, leveraging ZFF’s programs to address the region’s unique health challenges.

ZFF’s Bayang Malusog initiative, which focused on responsive leadership, improved health service delivery, and a competent health workforce,  helped enhance the region’s capacity to provide technical assistance to provinces to address challenges in health governance, primary care, and health systems integration. “The Bayang Malusog program was a game-changer. It brought about innovations in service delivery and workforce competence, which were critical for our region,” Dr. Cañezal states.

Sustaining Success and Motivation

Despite these wins, fully implementing UHC is still an uphill battle. Engaging LCEs and ensuring policy continuity amid political changes remain significant hurdles. 

What keeps her motivated in the face of these challenges? “The common good. Seeing the impact of our work in the community, especially the most vulnerable, keeps me going. It’s about making a difference not just for one person, but for entire communities,” she shares. Dr. Cañezal also emphasizes the role of community participation in the success of the UHC program. Personal anecdotes, such as witnessing the relief of families who no longer face financial ruin due to hospital bills, fuel her passion and resilience. She encourages everyone to play their part, no matter how small, in ensuring the success of the UHC.

Looking ahead, Dr. Cañezal is optimistic about the future of UHC in Eastern Visayas. She envisions a health system where policies are not just written on paper, but felt at the community level. Upcoming initiatives include strengthening disaster resilience in health services, enhancing healthcare workers’ skills, and expanding health programs to reach more remote areas. “Our goal is to make health programs sustainable and deeply integrated into the community fabric,” she says​. 

Her legacy, she hopes, will be one of tangible change and lasting impact. “By next year, I hope the tools and systems the region helped put in place will make a noticeable difference. It’s not just about lessening the burden on healthcare workers but ensuring that every community member feels the benefits of UHC,” Dr. Cañezal says. 

The region, through Dr. Chay Cañezal and the Easter Visayas UHC regional team’s dedication and collaborative efforts with the Zuellig Family Foundation, is witnessing a health systems transformation that promises better health outcomes for all. Their hard work and determination will hopefully inspire others to take on the mantle and work with them to bring about lasting change. 

Emilio Galangue, the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson of Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar, did not waste time making a difference. Shortly after his induction, he joined other SK leaders in the Municipal Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (MEYLGP) Module 1. This training, organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) under the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy in Southern Leyte and Samar (JPARAP) with UNFPA, focused on building leadership skills and celebrating progress in adolescent health and local governance over the past year.

Inspired by the training, Emilio saw an urgent need to focus on the holistic development of adolescents in his community.

Launching the Adolescent Health and Development Program

Motivated by what he learned, Emilio launched the Adolescent Health and Development Program (AHDP) as his flagship project. The program aims to empower teens with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. It goes beyond physical health, tackling emotional, mental, and social development.

The AHDP includes interactive activities including lectures, audio-visual presentations, and role-playing, all designed to engage young participants. Experts such as doctors, youth advocates, and social workers led the sessions, ensuring a well-rounded approach. A standout feature was the program’s focus on mental health, encouraging open discussions about challenges and fostering a supportive environment.

Creating a Ripple Effect

The program quickly gained support, with enthusiastic participation from the youth and praise from parents and local leaders. Recognizing its value, Emilio and his team included the AHDP in the barangay’s annual budget, ensuring its continuation.

Emilio’s leadership inspired other SK Chairpersons in Basey to replicate the initiative, spreading its positive impact across the municipality.

A Leader Who Inspires Change

Emilio’s efforts show how youth leaders can drive meaningful change. By addressing adolescent needs, he is not only fulfilling his role as SK Chairperson but also building a healthier, more informed, and resilient community.

For Barangay Mabini, Emilio is more than a youth leader—he is a symbol of hope and progress, proving that with determination and vision, even limited resources can create lasting change.

On November 12, 2024, the small but determined community of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan welcomed back-to-back field monitoring activities. The day was dedicated to evaluating the progress of two key health initiatives piloted in the area: the Family Stunting Reduction (FaStR) Program and the Pook Malusog Dashboard. Both programs are part of ongoing efforts by the Provincial Government of Basilan, supported by the Zuellig Family Foundation.

What is FaStR? A Program Review 

The day started with a review of the FaStR Program. The program empowers families to adopt health and nutrition practices critical for reducing stunting among children in the First 1,000 Days (F1KD). Through education, tools, and regular monitoring, FaStR equips families to make sustainable changes that improve overall well-being. Barangay health workers and municipal health staff shared updates on the program’s progress.

While changing family behaviors remains a challenge, there were inspiring stories of success. More families are now attending prenatal checkups and getting their children vaccinated—a big win in a community where traditional beliefs can often make change difficult. These small victories reflect a shift towards healthier practices and greater trust in health services.

Dr. Nur Khan Istarul, Municipal Health Officer, highlighted the need to integrate FaStR into existing local programs for sustainability. He mentioned plans to merge FaStR with Adopt-a-SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition), a local health initiative, and to propose new policies that would ensure consistent budget support. The idea is to offer incentives for families who show significant improvement in their children’s health, as a way to encourage others to follow suit.

Harnessing Technology for Health Information: Pook Malusog Dashboard Assessment

In the afternoon, attention turned to the Pook Malusog Dashboard, a digital tool designed to make health data collection and monitoring easier. The Dashboard streamlines data collection and analysis for child, maternal, and adolescent health, focusing on the F1KD period. It enables healthcare workers to efficiently track health trends and access actionable insights to improve services. The session was attended by Local Government Unit (LGU) staff, Rural Health Unit (RHU) workers, and a group of newly trained Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

Participants shared their experience with the dashboard’s pilot run. They noted that the tool had streamlined field visits, especially for tracking pregnant teenagers, thanks to an updated master list. The team expressed readiness to expand the dashboard’s use to two more barangays, planning to train additional health workers for this rollout.

Tipo-Tipo’s commitment to piloting both the FaStR Program and Pook Malusog Dashboard showcases the community’s drive to improve health outcomes. The lessons learned from these monitoring activities will be crucial as the LGU and partners look to scale up these projects. By integrating these initiatives into existing health services, Tipo-Tipo aims to build a stronger, more resilient health system that benefits all its residents.

The name Pacquiao comes with great responsibility. As Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao, cousin of world boxing champion and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, steps up to the challenge of transforming a municipality where most households live below the poverty line, he faces a different kind of battle.

At just 27, the young leader of Maasim in Sarangani Province knows the struggles of his hometown well. Despite his famous last name, Mayor Zyrex led a life far removed from the luxurious lifestyle of his champion cousin.

“We got to a point where we could only afford two meals a day,” shared Mayor Zyrex. “I helped my father farm and took on odd jobs just to get food on the table. When we moved back to Maasim, things got tougher. My mom was pregnant, and we lacked basic clothing. I had to learn to fish and find ways to survive.”

Maasim, with its 16 barangays, is a diverse community of Christians, Indigenous Peoples, and Muslims. It was officially established as a municipality on March 16, 1992, through Republic Act 7228. Despite its young history, Maasim quickly developed into an industrial hub, hosting companies like Sarangani Energy Corporation and Pantua Steel Manufacturing Company. However, progress did not necessarily make everyone’s life better. According to the 2017 Community-Based Monitoring Survey (CBMS), nearly 60% of its 12,999 households live below the poverty threshold. Nomoh, Amsipit, and Kanalo are among the barangays with the highest poverty rates.

These challenges were a backdrop to Mayor Zyrex’s childhood. When he was 9, his parents separated, and as the eldest of five, he had to take on more responsibilities, helping his father in the rice fields to meet their basic needs. “My past was so difficult that I never imagined I would become a mayor today,” he admitted.

Despite hardships, he found a way to complete his education, receiving help from friends and later joining Senator Manny Pacquiao’s scholarship program. He graduated as a dean’s lister with a degree in Elementary Education in 2012. His leadership journey began when his cousin recognized his potential and encouraged him to run for Municipal Councillor in 2016. By 25, he was elected Mayor of Maasim.

Tackling Malnutrition: A Deep Dive

In his second term, Mayor Zyrex faced the stark reality of malnutrition in Maasim. With data showing high rates of stunting and wasting, he sought solutions through the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF)’s Municipal Nutrition Governance Program (MNGP). Recognizing the need for systemic change, he collaborated with ZFF to build a nutrition core team comprising key officials from health, social welfare, and agriculture sectors. This team supported the development of Maasim’s F1KD (First 1,000 Days) Municipal Roadmap for Nutrition.

A breakthrough came during a Deep Dive Activity facilitated by ZFF in Barangay Lumatil, one of the areas with the highest malnutrition rates. Mayor Zyrex discovered the harsh reality faced by families like that of 18-month-old Angeline, who was severely stunted. Her household of 14 struggled to survive on a meager income of P3,000 per month. This experience was an eye-opener for the mayor, who had previously believed that malnutrition was mainly due to apathy or “behavioral problems” in the community. The deep dive helped him realize the need for greater support and education on available resources.

Turning Vision into Reality

Determined to address food insecurity and malnutrition, Mayor Zyrex partnered with the Seaoil Foundation Inc. to launch the ‘Tugon sa Gutom’ program in six high-prevalence barangays. The program focused on increasing access to nutritious food by teaching households how to grow vegetable gardens. Despite the abundance of agricultural production in Maasim, food poverty remained high because many farmers were forced to sell their produce at low prices to middlemen. In response, Mayor Zyrex established a food hub near the municipal hall, where farmers could sell directly to consumers at fair prices, helping maximize their profits and provide fresh produce to the community.

Mayor Zyrex also integrated food security measures into all municipal programs and secured funding through a new Municipal Ordinance on Food Security. This led to the creation of a Food Security Task Force and the regular Farmer’s Market Day, boosting local agri-fishery production and improving household access to nutritious foods.

The efforts paid off. A mid-line survey of the ‘Tugon sa Gutom’ program showed a drop in the Food Insecurity score from a baseline of 12.8 (Moderately Food Insecure) to 4 (Mildly Food Insecure) by August 2022. Additionally, Operation Timbang (OPT) results showed a decrease in the prevalence of stunting and wasting across all barangays.

A Mayor Who Understands

Mayor Zyrex’s journey from a struggling child to a transformative leader shapes his deep empathy for the people he serves. “I know what it’s like for malnourished children,” he reflected. “Many are in poverty, facing struggles I once faced. Three years is not enough to fully realize our vision, but I am hopeful that ZFF will continue to support us.”

Through his dedication and partnership with ZFF, Mayor Zyrex has started laying the groundwork for lasting change in Maasim, making strides toward a healthier and more prosperous future for its children and families.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) continues to work alongside the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Del Carmen and San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilient and Sustainable Communities). The partnership aims to improve health and nutrition systems as part of building resilience against disruptions like natural disasters and addressing ongoing issues such as hunger and malnutrition.

During the midline assessment validation on November 11-12, 2024, municipal leaders reviewed their progress on the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) nutrition roadmaps. The discussion focused on milestones achieved and remaining gaps in health and nutrition governance, as identified in the past year’s data.

with Mayor Alfredo Coro II, Del Carmen

Mayors Alfredo Coro II of Del Carmen and Val Pinat of San Francisco led the session, highlighting strategies for improving health outcomes based on assessment results. Mayor Coro shared a key insight: “Inuna namin ang social determinants of health and nutrition, dahil paulit-ulit pa rin ang problema kung hindi naka-sentro sa tao ang solusyon.” (“We prioritized the social determinants of health and nutrition because the problems keep recurring if the solutions are not centered on people.”)

with Mayor Val Pinat, San Francisco

The session featured presentations from the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer and the Municipal Agriculturist of Del Carmen, who showcased the Farm-to-Spoon Program. This initiative connects food stability efforts with targeted nutrition interventions, specifically supporting nutritionally at-risk families among farmers and fisherfolk.

Module 2 of the Nutrition and Health Leadership for Resilience learning track as part of the Project TRANSFORM, conducted last November 14-15, 2024, emphasized adaptive leadership and team resilience. With tools for better governance, the module aimed to reinforce good practices that strengthen local nutrition systems, making them more responsive and functional.

Collaboration with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, the National Nutrition Council of CARAGA, Department of Health (DOH)-Surigao del Norte, and various national and local partners has led to significant progress. Both municipalities have reported improvements in their F1KD nutrition roadmaps, setting a strong foundation for further action against malnutrition.

The journey continues, with both LGUs committed to enhancing their health systems and sustaining their gains, even beyond Project TRANSFORM’s timelines.