Samar Launches Comprehensive Program to Combat Child Malnutrition
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar has unveiled a comprehensive program to address acute malnutrition among children in all 26 of its municipalities. Launched on July 4 during the 51st Nutrition Month, this initiative focuses on infants and children up to 59 months old who face serious nutritional challenges.
The program immediately targets 919 children identified as wasted—severely underweight for their height. Families of these children will receive P5,000 in cash aid, designated solely for nourishing meals over a 180-day period. Furthermore, an additional P5,000 reward awaits families whose children achieve a healthy weight by the program’s conclusion.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan emphasized the crucial role of parents in ensuring the program’s success. “We urge parents to take an active role in preparing healthy meals for their children. Good nutrition starts at home. Our goal is to reduce the number of undernourished children across Samar,” she said, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in the fight against malnutrition.
Focus on Sustainable Nutrition and Parental Education
Provincial nutrition officer Lucille Coma explained that although the 919 wasted children comprise only about one percent of the 87,422 children within the targeted age group, their condition demands urgent attention. “We want to break this cycle. They are the future of Samar,” she said.
Wasting, the most severe form of child malnutrition, indicates acute undernutrition when a child’s weight is dangerously low for their height. Often caused by inadequate food intake or repeated illnesses, wasting poses a high mortality risk if untreated.
Unlike previous short-term feeding programs, this new intervention adopts a long-term, sustained approach. It provides not only financial support but also empowers families to make lasting nutritional improvements at home.
To complement feeding assistance, the program promotes backyard gardening. Beneficiary families are encouraged to plant vegetables and herbs to diversify diets and reduce food expenses. “The provincial government has coordinated with municipal agriculture offices to provide seeds to these families,” Coma added.
Monitoring Progress and Ensuring Lasting Impact
This gardening initiative supports better nutrition while building local food self-sufficiency—a key factor to maintain improvements after the 180-day program ends. Coma acknowledged that earlier nutrition efforts often fell short in reach and sustainability. Governor Tan’s new model aims to fix those gaps.
“This new intervention was crafted by the governor to address the shortcomings of previous efforts—like one-day feeding activities that didn’t always reach the intended beneficiaries,” Coma explained. The program will closely monitor each child’s progress throughout its duration.
Families whose children show significant weight gain and improved health will receive the additional P5,000 incentive, reflecting the program’s performance-based design. This approach encourages continued commitment from parents and caregivers.
By combining financial aid, sustainable food sources, and parental education, Samar hopes to finally break the cycle of malnutrition, especially wasting, among its children.
For more news and updates on child malnutrition programs, visit Filipinokami.com.