Photo credit: PCO

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is doubling down on his mission to end malnutrition in the Philippines—this time, calling on local government units (LGUs) to step up and make health and nutrition a priority in their annual investment plans.

Speaking at the 2024 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in Quezon City on Friday, Marcos emphasized that ensuring the welfare of Filipinos, especially pregnant women, mothers, and young children, is key to breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition.

A Call to Action for LGUs

“I urge all local chief executives: commit to providing your counterpart investments in nutrition, especially for nutritionally at-risk pregnant mothers, for the First 1,000 Days of Life of children and beyond,” Marcos said.

For the President, a nation’s strength lies in the well-being of its people, and ensuring proper nutrition—especially in a child's critical early years—sets the foundation for a healthier, more productive future.

Recognizing Local Champions

During the ceremony, Marcos took a moment to recognize the outstanding efforts of 23 LGUs and five Local Nutrition Focal Points that have made significant strides in improving nutrition in their communities.

“Let the best practices that you have introduced in your respective communities inspire others to create a ripple effect towards the countryside, towards a healthier future,” he said, encouraging LGUs to strengthen their programs even further.

Stronger Policies for Better Nutrition

To push this agenda forward, Marcos directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to integrate healthcare and nutrition as priority indicators in the Seal of Good Local Governance. This move, he explained, is part of a broader, whole-of-nation approach to improving Filipinos’ overall health and well-being.

Government Initiatives Against Hunger

Marcos also highlighted several government programs aimed at fighting malnutrition and food insecurity:

Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program – Launched under Executive Order No. 44 in 2023, this initiative provides low-income families with ₱3,000 in monthly food credits, which can be used at Kadiwa stalls and authorized stores.

Expanded 4Ps Program – Over 68,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households with pregnant mothers or young children (aged 0-2) will receive a ₱350 monthly allowance to help combat early childhood malnutrition.

Both initiatives align with the Philippine Development Plan’s goal of achieving zero hunger by 2028.

The Road Ahead

The President’s message is clear: health and nutrition should not be an afterthought—it should be at the core of every LGU’s development plan. By working together, he believes the country can make real progress in ensuring that no Filipino, especially children, goes hungry.

As Marcos puts it, "Lalo niyo pang paigtingin ang inyong mga magagandang gawain para masugpo ang problema natin sa malnutrisyon.” (Strengthen your good initiatives even more to eliminate malnutrition in our country.)

With the national government providing support, and LGUs stepping up, will this finally be the turning point in the fight against malnutrition? Only time will tell—but the momentum is certainly there.