Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

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.