The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and the Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas formalized its continuing collaboration to strengthen family health and nutrition in the region. On October 29, 2025, ZFF President and Executive Director Austere Panadero and DOH-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Pook Malusog Family Stunting Reduction (FaStR) Program. 

The Pook Malusog FaStR Program focuses on supporting families during the first 1,000 days (F1KD) of life—a crucial period for a child’s growth and development. It seeks to strengthen the knowledge and practices of families in preventing stunting, while enhancing the leadership and technical capacity of health and nutrition frontliners.

Through this partnership, the Pook Malusog FaStR Program will be piloted in four municipalities of Eastern Visayas: Gandara and San Jose De Buan in Samar Province, and Mapanas and Lope De Vega in Northern Samar Province from 2025 to 2026.

Under the agreement, ZFF will provide coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to DOH-Eastern Visayas and the pilot municipalities to guide them in effectively implementing the Pook Malusog FaStR model. By working together to localize the Pook Malusog approach, both institutions aim to build lasting systems of care that empower families, strengthen local leadership, and sustain progress in reducing child stunting across Eastern Visayas.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) continues to promote shared learning and collaboration through the Pook Malusog Community of Practice (CoP), a platform that enables local government units (LGUs) to exchange experiences, innovations, and lessons on nutrition leadership and governance. 

Held on October 7, 2025, this year’s conference, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Stronger Tomorrows: Advancing Nutrition Resilience from the First 2,000 Days and Beyond,” gathered local chief executives, local legislative council members, health and nutrition action workers, volunteers, private sector partners, representatives from the academe, and national government agencies, including Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators of the National Nutrition Council.

Participants from the five alumni provinces of the Pook Malusog Provincial Nutrition Governance Program (PNGP), Siargao Islands, and Manila shared how leadership and governance can build sustainable nutrition systems that remain strong despite political changes and crises.

The program featured three main plenary discussions and breakout learning sessions:

• Generating Sustained Political Commitment for Nutrition. Shared experiences from the PNGP cohort (Northern Samar, Samar, Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte, and Sarangani) on translating political will into institutionalized systems. This panel discussion highlighted key leadership acts that established institutional arrangements, policies, and plans and budgets that enabled these provinces to reduce malnutrition prevalence and strengthen mechanisms to sustain these improvements on the ground.
• Building Resilient Nutrition Systems, the TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilient and Sustainable Communities) Experience. Showcased how leaders in Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte and the Caraga Region strengthened resilience through people-centered, data-driven approaches, noting that resilience is a continuous process of transformation.
• Beyond the First 1,000 Days, Seamless Pathways to the First 2,000 Days. Featured the municipality of Malungon, Sarangani and the provinces of Basilan and Sarangani, responding to what’s next after F1KD efforts, centering on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in ensuring continuity of care and support for children beyond infancy.

• Breakout Sessions: Scaling Innovation, Strengthening Systems. Focused on ZFF’s key programs—Pook Malusog Dashboard, ZFF’s health and nutrition information system (HNIS), and the Family Stunting Reduction (FaStR) program, a family-centered approach to addressing malnutrition. LGU implementers sat on the panel and responded to questions from participants, sharing ongoing learnings and best practices from pilot implementations, as well as their priority actions moving forward.

Discussions showed that political will is critical—it sets direction, drives the right systems, and ensures that budgets are allocated for nutrition. But political will must be backed by more support. It needs to evolve into strong, institutionalized systems that can sustain progress across political terms.

Provincial leaders shared how creating permanent positions for nutrition officers, integrating nutrition into local development plans, and mobilizing diverse sectors can embed accountability and continuity. Municipalities, on the other hand, demonstrated how community co-ownership, data utilization, and frontline worker empowerment ensure that nutrition efforts reach even the most vulnerable families.

Nutrition expert, Dr. Cecilia Acuin, in her synthesis, said that nutrition resilience requires long-term, systemic investment. Improving nutrition outcomes must focus on, quoting Mayor Alfredo Coro II of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands, “the least, the last, and the lost”—families and communities that remain hardest to reach. Dr. Acuin pointed out that while political commitment is vital, equally important are strong governance systems, responsive service delivery, and community ownership. “Our focus should be on building systems, not one-time solutions,” she said, calling for convergence among LGUs and partners.

In his keynote message, Dr. Manuel Dayrit, ZFF Chairman, reminded attendees that the CoP represents “a microcosm of what needs to happen nationally: leaders listening, learning, and acting together.” The conference ended with a hopeful call: when leaders and communities work together, every Filipino child can have a healthy beginning and a stronger tomorrow.

Tacloban City — Local leaders from Samar and Southern Leyte closed a three-day workshop on September 19, 2025, with a firm pledge to put people at the center of their development plans. The release of the 2022 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data prompted the workshop, revealing serious gaps in education, food security, jobs, and health across eight municipalities in Eastern Visayas.

Participants admitted that despite years of government investments, fragmented programs and infrastructure-heavy spending left many services underfunded. During the workshop, they treated the CBMS data not only as a report but as a wake-up call.

Troubling Gaps in Human Development

The CBMS numbers highlighted urgent challenges which contribute to local human capital development:

• Education: In San Jose de Buan, half of adults in unions had not completed elementary school. Calbiga, Catbalogan, and Maasin also showed large education gaps that continue to trap families in poverty.
• Food Security: Hunger persists in many areas. Calbiga reported the highest food insecurity at 56.88%, with Macrohon, Tomas Oppus, and Catbalogan also recording alarming rates.
• Health: Illness rates reached 62.2% in Tomas Oppus and 43% in San Jose de Buan. Yet PhilHealth coverage stayed critically low, with no municipality surpassing 12% and San Jose de Buan reporting only 1.75%.

Related articles:

• Learning and Working Together: Insights from the Youth Leadership Colloquiums in Southern Leyte and Samar
• Youth and Local Leaders Join Forces to Prevent Teen Pregnancies in Samar
• Southern Leyte Shows Progress in Reducing Teen Pregnancies

Turning Data Into Action

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) organized the workshop under the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). ZFF guided participants in aligning their development priorities with the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) and measuring their success thru a developed local human development index

Health, planning, budget, nutrition, and population officers reviewed their draft Municipal Population and Development Plans of Action through focused sessions. Participants committed to carry forward people-centered priorities in their respective local government unit (LGU)’s planning cycles.

A Call for People-Centered Governance

By the end of the workshop, participants were united in one message: CBMS data must not gather dust in filing cabinets. It should serve as a mirror, reflecting the real needs of communities. Progress, they said, should no longer be measured by the number of buildings or roads completed, but by how many lives are improved.

The challenge now lies with LGUs: to show that governance is not about scattered projects or token budgets, but about truly putting people first.

Author: Floro Acaba Jr., ZFF EYLGP Provincial Account Officer for Samar

This baseline assessment report evaluates the existing governance measures related to the implementation of first 1,000 days (F1KD) services in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte, providing a detailed analysis of current nutrition and governance landscapes and offering strategic recommendations for improvement.

Final_ZFF Baseline Assessment

Tacloban City — Local government leaders from Samar and Southern Leyte gathered for a two-day workshop last September 16–17, 2025, that focused on a shared goal: making the most of PhilHealth resources to support adolescent health.

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) organized the activity under its Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP). The workshop formed part of the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Dr. Ofelia Alcantara, a public health advocate and former mayor of Tolosa, Leyte, facilitated the sessions. Over 20 participants from nine municipalities joined:

• Southern Leyte: Sogod, Libagon, Bontoc, Liloan, Malitbog
• Samar: Marabut, Basey, Sta. Rita, Villareal

A Shared Vision for Young People’s Health

The gathering highlighted the commitment of local government units (LGUs) to reduce adolescent pregnancy and promote youth leadership in health governance. The discussions built on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act of 2019, which guarantees access to quality and affordable health services.

Dr. Alcantara encouraged LGUs to view PhilHealth funds as a lifeline. “PhilHealth reimbursements are not just numbers, they’re lifelines for our communities. We need to ensure that every peso translates into better care, especially for our youth,” she said.

Related articles:

• Learning and Working Together: Insights from the Youth Leadership Colloquiums in Southern Leyte and Samar
• Youth and Local Leaders Join Forces to Prevent Teen Pregnancies in Samar
• Southern Leyte Shows Progress in Reducing Teen Pregnancies

Strengthening Local Capacity

The UNFPA-ZFFproject  in  partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Philhealth, and provincial governments of Samar and So. Leyte has already helped several LGUs secure Maternity Care Package (MCP) and accreditation, and ensure Primary Care Facilities (PCFs) are licensed. Despite these gains, LGUs still face challenges in managing funds, navigating PhilHealth’s online portal, and aligning reimbursements with their local health priorities.

To address these issues, the workshop introduced a four-part strategy:

1. Assess current practices and barriers in PhilHealth income use;
2. Develop a local fund management framework linked to UHC and adolescent health;
3. Deliver tailored mentoring and technical tools for LGUs; and
4. Produce a monograph to guide expansion and institutionalization.

The workshop opened a series of capacity-building activities for Samar and Southern Leyte. Municipal Health Officers, PhilHealth focal persons, and Provincial Development Management Officers actively joined the discussions. Partners from UNFPA and KOICA also expressed support.

LGUs in Samar and Southern Leyte now move forward with a stronger plan to maximize PhilHealth financing. Together with ZFF and its partners, they aim to turn adolescent reproductive health from a policy promise into a lived reality for young people in their communities.

Author: Floro Acaba Jr., ZFF EYLGP Provincial Account Officer for Samar

Tacloban City — A five-day parenting training gathered local workers in Samar to strengthen families’ role in guiding their children and preventing adolescent pregnancy.

The Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP), under the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP), placed new focus on parents after consultations revealed that family guidance often receives less attention. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan raised the concern in earlier discussions, which prompted program leaders to act.

From September 1 to 5, the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and Masayang Pamilya, Inc. organized the training in Tacloban City. They used the Masayang Pamilya Para sa Batang Pilipino (MaPa) framework, an evidence-based program developed with Parenting for Lifelong Health. The sessions taught participants how to strengthen parent-child relationships, manage stress, and practice positive parenting.

Related articles:

• Learning and Working Together: Insights from the Youth Leadership Colloquiums in Southern Leyte and Samar
• Youth and Local Leaders Join Forces to Prevent Teen Pregnancies in Samar

Trainers also introduced the MaPa Teens Hybrid model, which combines parenting support with adolescent health education. The model encourages parents and children aged 10 to 17 to talk openly about relationships, reproductive health, and emotional well-being.

Twenty-five social and health workers from Calbayog, Catbalogan, and the Samar Provincial Government completed the training. They will work directly with families during a three-month pilot in selected communities. Organizers will monitor the pilot closely to track changes in family behavior and youth outcomes.

The results will be shared with the Provincial Government of Samar to explore how the initiative can be expanded under its One Values Program which also aims to strengthen the role of parents in their children’s education, health and well-being. Organizers believe that by working with parents and communities, the program can help young people grow healthier and more supported in their journey to adulthood.

The Provincial Government of Samar will review the results. If the pilot shows promise, leaders plan to expand the initiative across the province. ZFF believes that by equipping parents and communities with the right tools, families can raise healthier and more supported adolescents.

Authors: Floro Acaba Jr., ZFF EYLGP Provincial Account Officer for Samar; Krizzia Esperanza, ZFF Corporate Communications Associate

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), through the Pook Malusog Community of Practice (CoP), gathered partners to confront one of the toughest issues in nutrition governance: financing. 

Nutrition governance core teams from the provinces of Sarangani, Samar, Northern Samar, Basilan, and Zamboanga del Norte joined the webinar, together with municipal cohort graduates under these provinces. AHON Siargao municipalities and the Manila Health Department also shared their experiences from the ground.

The National Nutrition Council’s Regional Nutrition Program Coordinators and technical staff added their expertise, while consultants Dr. Esmeralda Silva-Javier and Dr. Cecilia Cristina Acuin provided evidence and analysis. ZFF Chairman Dr. Manuel Dayrit offered guidance and reflection. Their participation underscored the Community’s role as a space where local leaders, national agencies, and research partners learn and collaborate to strengthen nutrition systems.

Understanding the Financing Challenge

Dr. Silva-Javier presented findings from a ZFF Case Study on Investments for Nutrition in Sarangani and Northern Samar. The research revealed a persistent mismatch between nutrition responsibilities and the fiscal capacity of local governments. Even with higher budgets—rising from 1 million to 2.75 million pesos annually—up to 90% of Local Nutrition Action Plan activities remain unfunded. Most of the money goes to salaries, leaving little for programs, supplies, and monitoring.

Yet the study confirmed that even modest increases in spending produce measurable improvements. For instance, Northern Samar would need just 250 pesos per capita annually to cut wasting by one percentage point. Sarangani would need 204 pesos. These findings echo global evidence: well-targeted, consistent investments at the frontline can significantly reduce stunting and wasting.

The study also highlighted the role of “enterprising” local chief executives who bridge gaps through creativity and partnerships. Examples include Alabel’s Nutri-bun bakery, Kiamba’s egg distribution, and Gamay’s nutrition trust fund. While promising, Dr. Silva-Javier cautioned that these remain small-scale. Closing the financing gap will require bolder arrangements such as revenue earmarking, trust funds, and strategic purchasing.

Lessons from the Community of Practice

Discussions from the webinar brought out several key insights:

1. The Community of Practice Framework Works. By centering on Purpose, People, and Practice, the Community helps LGUs sustain and expand gains through continuous learning and application.
2. Critical Knobs in Action. Field stories showed how ZFF’s 8 Critical Knobs for Nutrition Governance provide a practical guide for strengthening systems, from institutionalizing nutrition staff to forging cross-sector partnerships.
3. Local Innovations Matter. Enterprising leaders have piloted food processing plants, Nutri-bakeries, egg production, and trust funds, proving that creative solutions can fill gaps.
4. Financing Gaps Remain. Despite local allocations, most plans remain underfunded. Evidence shows, however, that even small but steady investments pay off in nutrition outcomes.
5. Other Factors Count. Socio-economic conditions, maternal education, water and sanitation, disasters, and household income also shape nutrition outcomes. This underlines the need for nutrition-sensitive programs alongside nutrition-specific ones.

Breakout group discussions shed more light on what is working and where challenges remain. Strong leadership from local chief executives, adoption of national policies, and partnerships with communities and donors emerged as effective practices. However, LGUs struggle with unclear budget guidance, limited fiscal space, and the lack of permanent positions for nutrition staff.

Participants emphasized the need for better budget-tagging tools, clearer allocation guidelines, and stronger multi-sectoral planning. They also called for peer-to-peer exchanges to spread successful innovations, from donor-supported feeding programs to local bakeries financing nutrition.

Implications for Nutrition Governance

The webinar made clear that:

1. Provinces must integrate systems, while municipalities deliver services on the ground.
2. Evidence-based decisions strengthen the case for nutrition in fiscal planning.
3. Community ownership and partnerships keep programs sustainable.
4. Clearer financing pathways and national policy guidance are essential.
5. Local leaders must be empowered to design innovative financing strategies.

The Pook Malusog Community of Practice must now focus on sustaining momentum and scaling innovations. Empowering local chief executives to design and advocate new financing arrangements will be crucial, as will expanding peer-to-peer learning that highlights adaptive practices, smart data use, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Providing technical support to help LGUs maximize fiscal space and mobilize resources can ensure that nutrition programs are not only launched but also sustained over time. The Community should also act as a channel for scaling up proven practices from pioneering LGUs to more provinces and municipalities, ensuring that lessons learned do not remain isolated. Finally, engaging national agencies and policy actors is essential to institutionalize sustainable financing pathways, while maintaining spaces for local solutions to flourish.

By linking research, local innovations, and strong leadership, it demonstrates how LGUs can move from scattered efforts to collective strategies. The future of nutrition governance in the Philippines depends not only on increased funding, but also on smarter, evidence-informed, and community-driven use of resources.

Authors: Samantha Morales, ZFF Nutrition Knowledge Management and Communications Associate; Krizzia Esperanza, Corporate Communications Associate

Two provinces in Eastern Visayas reflected on how young people and local leaders can work side by side to address adolescent health. 

Through the Expanded Youth Leadership and Governance Program (EYLGP) of the Zuellig Family Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, Southern Leyte and Samar shared lessons, successes, and remaining challenges during their colloquiums held in August 2025.

In less than two years, our program cohort in Southern Leyte cut its adolescent birth rate by 29%, with the municipalities of Liloan and Tomas Oppus reporting zero teen births in 2024. Samar also moved forward, lowering its adolescent birth rate in partner municipalities by 5% and doubling contraceptive use among teens. Both provinces strengthened adolescent-friendly health facilities, supported peer education, and created local committees that regularly meet to tackle youth concerns.

Despite progress, both provinces face similar challenges. Births among very young girls aged 10 to 14 years old increased, often tied to gender-based violence and exposure to harmful online content. In Samar, education completion rates are also declining, while poverty continues to put many adolescents at risk. These issues show that reducing teen pregnancies is not only a health concern but also a matter of child protection, education, and community support.

Related articles:

• Youth and Local Leaders Join Forces to Prevent Teen Pregnancies in Samar
• Southern Leyte Shows Progress in Reducing Teen Pregnancies

Key Insights

Dr. Ramir Blanco, public health specialist, synthesized the insights from both colloquiums, and noted that while each province has a unique context, some common lessons stand out:

• Partnership works best when youth are seen as equal partners. Adolescents bring energy and ideas that make health programs more effective.
• Local governments need to back policies with real budgets. Commitments become meaningful only when resources follow.
• Health services must be accessible and friendly to teens. Both provinces showed that when facilities are welcoming, more adolescents use them.
• The challenge of early adolescent pregnancies requires stronger systems. This goes beyond health and must involve education, social welfare, and community protection.

As the colloquiums showed, the most powerful change comes when young people and leaders share responsibility. When adolescents are given a voice and communities stand behind them, reducing teen pregnancies becomes not just a goal, but a shared achievement for healthier, brighter futures.

Empowering communities, strengthening leadership for better health outcomes

About the report

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) Annual Report 2024 shares stories of change, lessons learned, and milestones in improving health outcomes for Filipinos.

Our work in 2024 focused on:

2024 at a glance

ZFF will continue working with provinces, cities, and municipalities to accelerate health reforms, scale nutrition programs, and empower youth and communities.

Read the full report here:

ZFF Annual Report 2024

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Download: Audited Financial Statements 2024