Even as the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Cordillera claimed huge success of its 2015 Operation Timbang among 0-71 month children in the region, 18 municipalities in Abra remain with undernutrition prevalence of 10 percent – or even more.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Rita D. Papey identified these towns as Lacub, Malibcong, Tineg, Lagayan, Villaviciosa, Langiden, Licuan-Baay, San Isidro, Bangued, San Quintin, Tayum, Manabo, La Paz, Pidigan, Bucay, Bucloc, Danglas, and Daguiman.

Papey added that there are six municipalities in the province with undernutrition prevalence more than the regional average at 4.45 percent but below 10 percent. These are: Pilar, Lagangilang, Luba, Sallapadan, Tubo and Boliney.

Meanwhile, the towns of Peñarrubia, Dolores and San Juan have undernutrition prevalence equal to or better than the regional average at 4.45 percent.

In Apayao and Kalinga provinces, Papey said all municipalities are with prevalence more than the regional average at 4.45 percent but below 10 percent except Lubuagan, Kalinga with undernutrition prevalence equal to or better than the regional average at 4.45 percent.

In Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province, all municipalities are with undernutrition prevalence equal to or better than the regional average at 4.45 percent, except Paracelis and Besao in Mountain  Province which have more than the regional average at 4.45 percent but below 10 percent.

Papey said that the nutritional status of preschool children in the regions shows that there are 188, 294 who are normal, 7,069 underweight, 1,794 severely underweight and 1,872 overweight. In addition, it was concluded that problems on undernutrition (underweight, wasting, and stunting) still persist in the region with a growing concern on overnutrition.

Papey ended that through education, feeding programs and other schemes, the nutritional status of these children will be improved. - Ian Jefrey Addatu