ZFF forum highlights Sarangani and Basilan mayors in reducing malnutrition

Good nutrition governance is good politics. This echoed as the main takeaway during Zuellig Family Foundation’s (ZFF) Learning Forum on Nutrition held on July 5, 2023, at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City. The hybrid event gathered 110 in-person attendees and at least 130 more via Facebook Livestream and Zoom. 

ZFF-KGJF partnership

Titled “Stories of Co-Creation for Strengthening Food and Nutrition Systems,” the learning forum provided a venue not only to recognize the achievements of the 12 ZFF-trained mayors from Sarangani and Basilan but also to disseminate best practices toward the reduction of malnutrition in the country.  

The learning forum was part of the Provincial Nutrition and Governance Program (PNGP) partnership of ZFF and the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation, focusing on the first 1,000 days’ (F1KD) population—pregnant women and children under two years old. Stunting and wasting prevalence rates in all 12 municipalities under PNGP decreased in 2023. In Sarangani, the stunting prevalence rate has gone down to 3.2% in 2023 from 7.22% in 2020; while in Basilan, it decreased to 14.51% from 17.38% for the same period. 

PNGP has been providing leadership interventions to the provincial, municipal, and city leaders of Sarangani and Basilan since 2021. Their front-line service providers also received technical and mentoring support. PNGP will continue working with the two provinces and two of their municipalities, in piloting interventions on developing positive behaviors among households and communities.

For more information about ZFF’s programs on F1KD nutrition, visit https://zuelligfoundation.org/programs/nutrition/.

Good politics

Municipal Mayor Ma. Theresa Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani said: “When there is good nutrition, [it means] there is good governance. And when there is good governance, definitely, wala akong kalaban (I do not have an opponent). There is good politics.” Malungon had been a recipient of the National Honor Award from the National Nutrition Council (NNC); it has recorded low stunting and wasting prevalence rates of 1.7% and 0.02%, respectively, in 2023. Among the local government’s initiatives were the provision that all households have backyard gardens (to address food access and security) and access to sanitary toilets (to provide a clean and safe environment for the healthy growth and development of children). The local government also increased investments in nutrition human resources and even institutionalized the retention of barangay nutrition scholars and other community volunteers through a municipal ordinance.

Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Saliman commended his mayors for their success stories in addressing malnutrition noting that fear of losing was the biggest hindrance in nutrition governance. “Takot kaming matalo. Takot kami na ang aming initiatives ay hindi in lalo kung hindi sikat sa social media (We have a fear of losing. We fear that our initiatives will not resonate well to the crowd, especially if we are not popular in social media.),” he said.

To which, Dr. Maria Cecilia Acuin, a ZFF consultant, reassured that “Sa nutrisyong sapat, panalo tayong lahat (With proper nutrition, everyone is a winner.).” She cited a World Bank study that found every dollar invested in nutrition has the potential of yielding a $44 return.

Read more about the journey of the 12 municipalities at http://bit.ly/StoriesOnNutritionGovernance.

Panel discussions

The learning forum was divided into three panel discussions. The first discussion, “Strengthening Nutrition Governance and Financing to Improve Service Delivery,” tackled the pivotal role of effective governance in increasing investments and improving the delivery of nutrition services.

Aside from Constantino, four other local chief executives highlighted the importance of investing in health human resources.

Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman (Isabela, Basilan) prioritized the hiring of a registered nutritionist dietician and an additional six support staff for the city nutrition program. Likewise, Mayor George Falgui (Kiamba, Sarangani) created a plantilla position for Nutrition Officer III through a municipal ordinance, making Kiamba the first municipality in Sarangani to have a permanent municipal nutrition action officer.

Mayors Victor James Yap (Glan, Sarangani) and Roderick Furigay (Lamitan, Basilan) also emphasized the importance of health human resources as crucial sources and main providers of services.

The second discussion, “Bolstering Data Governance in Nutrition,” touched on using data to inform evidence-based decisions and actions.

Mayor Arcam Istarul (Tipo-Tipo, Basilan) used data to ensure that appropriate interventions and support are provided to those who need them most. Mayors Jul-Adnan P. Hataman (Sumisip, Basilan) and Hanie Bud (Maluso, Basilan) intensified efforts under their respective Operation Timbang (OPT) task forces to track, assess, and provide targeted interventions to malnourished children.

The final discussion, “Confronting Food Insecurity and the Underlying Causes of Malnutrition,” highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration in confronting the issue of food insecurity and the underlying causes of malnutrition.

Mayor Vic Paul Salarda (Alabel, Sarangani) shared how they established a Nutri-Bakery with a private nongovernment organization and the provincial nutrition office and supported by a tripartite memorandum of agreement. Likewise, Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit, Jr. (Maitum, Sarangani) showcased their partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center to establish a dairy box for locally-sourced milk feeding that would provide access to dairy products in the market.

A recording of the learning forum can be found here: https://fb.watch/lHpEEaPaoO/.