Building Stronger Nutrition Governance Across Basilan LGUs
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
Investing in a Healthier Future: Local Nutrition Planning for Basilan Towns
From July 28 to 30, 2025, Planning, Budget, Health, and Nutrition Officers from Lamitan City, and from the second batch of the Municipal Nutrition Governance Program (MNGP) representing five Basilan municipalities of Al-Barka, Hadji Muhtamad, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Tabuan Lasa, and Ungkaya Pukan gathered in Zamboanga City for a three-day Local Nutrition Action Planning Workshop.
The workshop focused on one goal: helping each municipality invest in its people’s health, especially children. The theme, Investing for my Municipality’s Future, guided participants in shaping practical and evidence-based Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAPs).
With support from the Zuellig Family Foundation, the sessions covered nutrition data analysis, problem tree exercises, target-setting, activity planning, and funding strategies. By the end of the workshop, LGUs were on track to finalize strong, multisectoral plans that tackle malnutrition and promote child development.
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This aims to support the Basilan HELPS program, the flagship initiative of Governor Mujiv Hataman. HELPS stands for Health, Education and Environmental Protection, Livelihood and Economic Development, Public Safety and Security, and Social Cohesion—key pillars of inclusive development in the province.
Throughout the workshop, Nadzwa Sabandal, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, and Minsara Muarip, OIC-Provincial Planning and Development Officer, provided guidance grounded in local experience. Their involvement helped ensure that the plans were realistic, responsive, and aligned with provincial goals.
The workshop sent a strong message: nutrition is not just a health agenda, but a key part of local development. It is a shared responsibility across all levels of government.