Media caravan highlights nutrition programs

CEBU, Philippines — Strengthening community-based nutrition programs and bringing health services closer to residents remain key strategies of the Lapu-Lapu City Government in addressing malnutrition, city officials said during the Media Information Network for Nutrition and Development 7 (MIND-7) media caravan on Friday, October 2.

City Councilor Dr. Emilio Galarosa Jr., chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Health, said addressing malnutrition requires more than monitoring children’s weight. He emphasized the need for nutrition education, counseling, regular monitoring, referrals, and follow-up.

He also highlighted the importance of educating parents and caregivers on affordable and nutritious food choices appropriate to their families’ financial capacity and locally-available resources.

The caravan also highlighted the continuing “double burden” of malnutrition, in which communities face undernutrition alongside increasing cases of overweight and obesity.

City Nutrition Program Coordinator Sage Derek Palacio underscored the role of barangay health and nutrition programs in identifying children and families that need assistance and connecting them with available government services.

Dr. Agnes Cecille Realiza, head of the City Health Office, said nutrition and health services are also being extended to island and isolated barangays through health centers, barangay activities, outreach programs and information campaigns.

She said ensuring that residents receive basic health and nutrition information regardless of where they live is important in reducing disparities in access to services.

With Lapu-Lapu City’s population reaching more than 500,000, Galarosa acknowledged the need to increase the city’s health workforce and resources.

“We are planning to increase the budget and increase the manpower,” Galarosa said, referring to plans to strengthen health services through additional doctors, nurses and other health personnel.

Galarosa said the city has allocated around ?7 million for nutrition programs this year.

Among the city’s initiatives addressing malnutrition are the Agro Fair, Urban Gardening, Vacation Station and other nutrition interventions.

Galarosa added that strengthening primary health care at the community level remains important because health centers and barangay-based health workers are often residents’ first point of contact with the health system.

Barangay-based nutrition initiatives

In Barangay Calawisan, strengthening nutrition programs includes encouraging residents to participate in nutrition-related classes and activities.

Barangay Captain Arsilito Pejo said children should not go hungry because the barangay has access to resources such as fish and vegetables that can be incorporated into nutritious meals.

The barangay also implements a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition, including parenting seminars conducted twice a year.

Barangay Calawisan is recognized as one of the outstanding barangays in the region in terms of nutrition.

In Barangay Marigondon, Barangay Captain Milagros Amores said the community continues to implement its Hapag Garden, which provides fresh vegetables for children experiencing malnutrition and offers residents affordable vegetables, root crops and fruits.

Among the crops grown in the community garden are bananas, malunggay, alugbati, eggplant, pechay, chili, garlic, onions, and pineapple.

Barangay Calawisan nutrition scholar Jessica Oyao said 36 children in the barangay are currently being monitored for malnutrition.

The barangay also prioritizes children identified as being at risk of malnutrition and their parents in implementing nutrition interventions.

Aside from providing food, the community garden has also become an income-generating activity since it was established in 2024.

While the income generated is not substantial, barangay officials said it helps cover some of the expenses in maintaining the program.

Barangay Marigondon was named champion in the citywide garden contest held as part of Lapu-Lapu City’s Nutrition Month celebration.

The contest highlighted the efforts of barangays in promoting food production, healthy eating and community participation through the establishment and maintenance of vegetable gardens. — (FREEMAN)