Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Isabela de Basilan: Strengthening nutrition programs with an empowered leadership

“Improving nutrition outcomes is important to me, because I dream of an Isabela cradled in strong, competent, and nurturing arms of future Isabeleños.”

Determined to improve health and nutrition, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia “Dadah” Turabin-Hataman, decided to participate in the Municipal Nutrition Governance Program (MNGP) by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF).

Born in Manila and married to Representative Mujiv Hataman, a prominent figure in Basilan, Mayor Dadah brings a wealth of experience in human rights and governance. After serving two terms in Congress, she returned to Isabela City, driven by a desire for grassroots impact and community service.

Isabela City, nestled in the southern Philippines, is a vibrant hub of diverse cultures and traditions, home to various ethnic groups living harmoniously alongside Christianity and Islam. Despite its classification as a fourth-class city with a population of 130,379, Isabela City is vital to the commerce and industry of Basilan Province. Distinguishing it from the province of Isabela located in northern Luzon, Isabela City has become known colloquially as Isabela de Basilan.

Improved transportation links have reduced travel time to neighboring Zamboanga City, fostering economic growth and cooperation between the two regions. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, especially in remote areas like Malamawi Island, where health services and nutrition education require targeted interventions.

Persistent malnutrition problem

While Isabela City saw a notable reduction in poverty rates from 53% in 2018 to 23.7% by 2021, malnutrition persists, largely stemming from poverty. First-time mothers often lack essential knowledge about proper nutrition, resulting in harmful feeding practices like early introduction of solid food or inappropriate bottle feeding. 

Mayor Dadah emphasized the importance of Local Chief Executive (LCEs) like her, stating: “The support of LCEs plays a major role in strengthening our programs, particularly when it comes to addressing nutrition.” She continued, “When the focus is solely on the compliance with the program, the true essence and importance of nutrition is somehow compromised.”

Realizing the vision

Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman recommended Isabela City to be part of ZFF’s Nutrition Governance Program. Mayor Dadah was invited through a network of ZFF’s development workers in Basilan, who often spoke highly of the Mayor’s abilities and leadership skills.

Initially, Mayor Dadah was content with Isabela City’s ongoing feeding program and was surprised by the invitation. Reflecting on her administration’s efforts, she realized that while their feeding program had merit, it fell short in addressing the multifaceted challenges of malnutrition comprehensively. She admitted that nutrition had been a blind spot and that malnutrition encompasses more than just children being underweight or had stunted growth. Participating in ZFF’s MNGP workshop was eye-opening, especially in identifying the need for a nutrition expert, which led to the prompt hiring of a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian (ND) for the city.

The MNGP experience highlighted the intricate dynamics of nutrition issues and the pivotal role of leaders in effecting change, particularly for malnourished children and at-risk pregnant women. Mayor Dadah now aims to expand the program to barangays through their Local Government Units (LGUs), recognizing their crucial role in promoting the health of vulnerable populations.

Forward-looking initiatives

Under Mayor Dadah’s leadership, the City Nutrition Committee Technical Working Group (CNC TWG) was established to closely monitor program implementations such as the Operation Timbang (OPT) program,  Maternal, Early Childhood, and Learning Program Intervention, and supplemental feeding for nutritionally at-risk and malnourished children.

The collaboration extended beyond the CNC, with departments like the City Social Welfare and Development Office contributing to feeding programs and cash assistance initiatives. The City Agriculture Office (CAO) promoted food security through backyard gardening programs, while the City Health Office focused on delivering quality Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition services, leading to successful outcomes such as exceeding antenatal care targets in 2022.

Further, nutrition interventions have been strategically integrated into the approved annual investment plans and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – Health (DRRM-H) plan for 2023 in Isabela City. This integration encompasses crucial aspects such as procuring nutrition commodities and equipment, promoting breastfeeding, and managing malnutrition. Health workers diligently educate mothers about the significance of breastfeeding during prenatal checkups, emphasizing its role in preventing malnutrition.

In addition to hiring an ND, the City Population Commission Office also employed four more ND Job Order personnel. These personnel are crucial in implementing the 90 and 120-day supplementary feeding programs in selected barangays identified during OPT. Their efforts have significantly increased the OPT coverage in the city, nearing the national target of 90%.

Partnerships with educational institutions and organizations like Basilan State College and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) of Region IX have been strengthened. Collaborative programs such as the “Tutok Kainan” Program and partnerships with NGOs like ASA PHILIPPINES aim to improve food and nutrient intake for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and malnourished children.

Acknowledging the needs of marginalized sectors, Isabela City supports initiatives for youth, provides assistance to solo parents, promotes women’s participation in local bodies, and celebrates Women’s Month annually to empower women and recognize their achievements. These efforts collectively contribute to a more holistic and impactful approach to address health and nutrition challenges in Isabela City.

The path ahead

In the last quarter of 2023, Isabela City initiated the development of its City Nutrition Action Plan covering 2023 to 2025. This comprehensive plan involved collaboration with the LGUs to ensure the inclusion of all necessary resources for demand generation and nutrition commodities. The agriculture sector also aligned its interventions, focusing on improving food security programs.

“Nutrition has always been a top priority for our administration,” Mayor Dadah affirmed. “We have implemented effective interventions backed by research and development to tackle persistent malnutrition issues. With our substantial budget allocation of 10,959,813.63 pesos for nutrition, we stand as a capable agent of change at the community level. Our efforts have borne fruit, as evidenced by the recent decline in stunting and overweight cases in 2022.”

Looking ahead, the City Nutrition Council aims to progressively eliminate malnutrition and achieve a zero-case target. Mayor Dadah said, “We will work vigorously to achieve scale-up inclusive nutrition interventions and build resilience among our target sectors with an emphasis on the vulnerable ones. I will continually express my solidarity together with our partners and stakeholders in building food and nutrition security for a happy and dignified life for all Isabeleños.”

Mayor Dadah emphasized the importance of unity and commitment, stating, “Coming together is just the beginning, but it is the right beginning. From this point forward, we commit to delivering what is expected from us, going above and beyond.”