ILOILO – Through a series of actions addressing hunger and malnutrition, the provincial government seeks to achieve “zero hunger” across Iloilo.
On August 6, the first Zero Hunger Summit, themed “Together, We Can End Hunger,” was held at the Grand Social Hall of Casa Real de Iloilo. It convened local chief executives, health, agriculture, and nutrition officers from 43 local government units, alongside representatives from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and the private sector.
Dr. Wendel Marcelo, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office’s (IPHO) Nutrition Action Officer, cited the commitment of participants to devise actionable plans to eradicate hunger in their respective areas.
A significant outcome was the provincial government’s pledge, articulated by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, to establish a taskforce focused on consolidating efforts around food security, nutrition, and health.
Marcelo said eradicating hunger is achievable only if child malnutrition — manifesting as stunting, wasting, and being underweight — is eliminated.
While the trend of malnutrition is on the decline, challenges persist. From 2020 to 2024, underweight cases decreased from 3.47% to 2.40%, wasting from 2.12% to 0.94%, and stunting from 8.73% to 4.52%, representing significant progress in the province’s health outcomes.
During the summit, Mark Lawrence Cruz, national coordinator of the Zero Hunger Alliance, introduced the “5M Approach to Zero Hunger”, which includes Magtulungan (partnership for zero hunger); Magpakain (supplemental feeding); Magpakalusog (health and nutrition education); Magtanim (community food farming); and Mag-connect (online platforms for zero hunger).
Cruz commended Iloilo for its robust response and collaborative efforts to address malnutrition and emphasized the importance of annual meetings to track progress.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the core of the province’s nutrition program is ensuring food security, which is fundamental to addressing malnutrition. He outlined that the government’s role transcends direct food provision, focusing instead on capacity building through good governance to empower communities.
The summit also served as a platform for sharing various initiatives, such as the ART RESPONSE program, which covers adequate food production, malnutrition rehabilitation, and nutrition worker training. Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Ildefonso Toledo discussed sustainable agricultural programs aimed at creating agri-tourism destinations and supporting nutritionally at-risk families through the distribution of seeds and agricultural inputs.
This concerted effort marks a significant step toward eradicating hunger and improving the overall health and well-being of the Iloilo community. (With an additional report from Capitol News)/PN
