Hungduan, Ifugao is a fourth-class municipality with a projected population of 10,051 ,and the poverty incidence is high. Farming rice terraces and small-scale vegetables is the primary source of living of the populace. However, natural disasters that eroded massive soil and depleted forest water supply affected the people's livelihood, forcing them to look for other jobs outside the municipality and worse, migrate. In addition, health and nutrition are compromised. 

Despite the seemingly unpromising condition, the municipality achieved the Green Banner Award from 2015-2017 and maintained all nutrition programs. In 2021, the municipality garnered 86.42 percent during the Search for the Best Nutrition Program Implementer at the provincial level. This manifests that health and nutrition are the pinnacles of the precedence program of the municipality. Despite having a minimal internal revenue allotment that barely funds the nutrition programs of the municipality, collective efforts and effective strategies were devised to suffice the requisites in realizing the nutritional plans and programs.

Through the extended efforts of the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) chaired by the  Local Chief Executive Casan P. Dumulag, the following were initiated and conducted in support of the nutrition programs in Hungduan:

• "Buttikan Pangkalusugan" or Fun Run for Nutrition: MNC members and the Barangay Nutrition Committees are compelled to be at the forefront of conducting the activity. Interested runners in the community are invited to join in which a minimal registration fee is collected.
• "Pazumba ni Mayor": This exercise is done every Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. after the fun run headed by the Philippine National Police and Municipal Health Office to  promote a healthy lifestyle.
• "Punha-otan hi Dola"  or Backyard Gardening. Through various information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, the "Punha-otan hi Dola" or the planting of fruits and vegetables in their households is encouraged, not only to families with undernourished children but also to the rest of the municipality. This activity aims to inform the households of the nutritious benefits of fruits and vegetables for proper consumption when diagnosed with any vitamin deficiencies. It also promotes the direct consumption of food acquired from the backyards. Further, this activity is extended to all schools in the municipality.
• Search for the Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementer. The MNC adopted this innovation from the province that challenges BNCs and the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) to exert more effort in implementing nutrition programs. Cash prizes and certificates are awarded to winners during the Nutrition Month culminating activity. This is regularly funded by the Nutrition Office MOOE.
• Inclusion of Nutrition Support Programs in Social Service Offices. Social service offices include nutrition support programs in their respective offices. The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) prioritizes families with malnourished children by providing vegetable seeds and other agricultural support. Moreover, the Municipal Engineering Offices (MEO) supportsnfrastructure projects related to promote health, nutrition, and sanitation. Also, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) targets families with malnourished children and includes them in livelihood training and dole-outs, among others.
• Help Eliminate Malnutrition among Pre & Schoolers (HEMPC PRO). The Hungduan Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HEMPC) is a non-government organization that funds PhP 20,000.00 for dietary supplementation of malnourished children. \
• "Ay-Ayyam nu Kalima" The MNC, in cooperation with the local government unit (LGU) of Hungduan and the Department of Education (DepEd), conducts sports competitions among agencies on a Friday of every month, aside from the regular sports day. This   activity seeks to raise awareness about proper nutrition and physical activity to prevent overweight and obesity.
• La Luna Sangre. The MNC initiated this bloodletting activity before it became a regular program of the Department of Health (DOH) to supply blood to people in need. This is yearly funded with Php 200.00 through the "Good Samaritan Program" to pay the patients' screening fee. The blood collected is deposited at the Red Cross for emergency use.

The conduct of these activities are credited to the collective efforts of the stakeholders in the community to successfully eliminate malnutrition.

Yrgyl Sucdad/ Bella Basalong