The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) conducted field monitoring and assessment visits in Lamitan City, Maluso, Ungkaya Pukan, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, and Al-Barka, five of the ten Local Government Units (LGUs) as part of the Municipal Nutrition Governance Program (MNGP) under ZFF’s Basilan Assistance Program (BAP). The visits aimed to check the LGUs’ practicum implementation, track accomplishments based on their plans, and identify areas where they need additional support to strengthen local nutrition governance.

LGU nutrition core teams shared their experiences, challenges, and learnings. Their reflections offered a clearer picture of their progress and the guidance they still need. The visit also allowed them to plan for the upcoming Operation Timbang, validate performance milestones, and make sure their strategies align with their nutrition goals.

Across all sites, local leaders are taking concrete actions to place nutrition at the center of development. LGUs strengthened their systems by issuing policies and ordinances that encourage multi-sectoral work and formalize support for community workers. Increased budget allocations now reinforce these policy gains and reflect a more stable commitment to reducing malnutrition.

At the barangay level, improvements continue to take shape. Many barangays formed Barangay Nutrition Committees and drafted Barangay Nutrition Action Plans to guide nutrition initiatives. Barangay Nutrition Workers—including former combatants now serving as community frontliners—received training and built confidence in their roles. They now reach more families and deliver essential services more consistently, which supports more timely management of moderate and severe acute malnutrition cases.

The following key developments across LGUs were observed:

• LGUs issued policies and ordinances that strengthen multi-sectoral nutrition work.
• LGUs now have dedicated and prioritized budgets covering more comprehensive nutrition programs and services.
• Barangays formed Barangay Nutrition Committees to organize community actions.
• Selected barangays developed Barangay Nutrition Action Plans to guide interventions.
• Barangay Nutrition Workers received training on Nutrition Assessment and Basic Management of Acute Malnutrition and now work more confidently and effectively.
• Communities observed more responsive management of acute malnutrition cases. In Lamitan City, the local government hired additional IT support to strengthen the implementation of the Health and Nutrition Information System (HNIS). 
• Improved community access by ensuring regular deployment of medical personnel in strategic barangay posts beyond the barangay health stations.

When LGUs invest in nutrition, they help build a healthier foundation for the next generation. The progress in Basilan shows that prioritizing nutrition is not only a health response, but a long-term investment in peace, stability, and human development.

Author: Rio Fe Del Valle, ZFF Nutrition Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Expert

Once marked by conflict and instability, the Province of Basilan is now making progress in improving health and nutrition outcomes for young children. 

Through strong local leadership and a decade of partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), Basilan has strengthened systems for maternal and child health, food security, and early childhood care—especially during the critical First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of life.

ZFF shared this experience during the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) Conference 2025. Speaking on a panel hosted by the Tanoto Foundation, ZFF presented how their work in Basilan has transformed early childhood outcomes through governance-focused approaches. Using the Foundation’s Bridging Leadership approach and Health Change Model, ZFF helped local leaders address gaps in health and nutrition despite the province’s complex and fragile context.

Related article:

• Municipal Leaders in Basilan Enhance Nutrition Governance through Zuellig Family Foundation Training

The Basilan Assistance Program (BAP), which built on earlier gains from the Provincial Nutrition Governance Program, trained governors and mayors to co-create local solutions, increase community participation, and strengthen service delivery. As part of the program, 255 barangays deployed community health workers to monitor and support pregnant women and malnourished children. Ten of the thirteen mayors underwent leadership and technical training further embedding nutrition priorities in local governance.

Between 2023 and 2024, stunting among children aged 0–2 dropped by 6.26 percentage points—from 16.74% to 10.48%. Wasting rates also declined, reflecting better capacity to prevent and manage acute malnutrition. Nutrition funding rose nearly fourfold, from 7.2 million pesos in 2021 to 27 million pesos in 2024. These improvements directly support brain development, emotional regulation, and school readiness—giving Basilan’s children a stronger start in life.

Basilan’s transformation shows that inclusive, equity-driven, and locally led programs can thrive even in post-conflict settings. “When we had peace, we now have the mental space to plan beyond the day after tomorrow,” said former Basilan Governor, now Vice Governor, Jim Hataman Salliman. 

“We can now be more strategic and focus our investment in health and nutrition, which was not prioritized before.”