Recognizing the critical importance of nutrition during the First 1000 Days of life for a child’s health and development, the Zuellig Family Foundation and Nutritional International commissioned a survey to assess health and nutrition service delivery and outcomes in Puerto Princesa City, Tacurong City, and Tagum City to support their project on developing urban nutrition systems in the Philippines.

From 2019 to 2022, Sarangani Province made significant improvements in the nutritional status of pregnant women, infants, and children due to strong political commitment, substantial health system investments, and active convergence programs, though challenges remain in the coherence and integration of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs, necessitating local legislation and enhanced convergence mechanisms.

This case study analyzes the factors that contributed to the improvement of Sarangani Province’s nutritional outcomes from 2018 to 2022, describing changes in nutritional outcomes, identifying effective strategies and mechanisms, and examining the influence of leadership and governance interventions as well as lessons learned in planning, implementing, and monitoring nutrition programs.