Cebu City -- Stunting is one of the least addressed malnutrition forms in the country which is characterized by an impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation among infants and young children. The existing problem ranks the Philippines as the fifth country with the highest stunting prevalence among countries in the East Asia and Pacific region, and among the top ten countries globally.

The Early Childhood Care Development First 1000 Days (F1K) program in Central Visayas was introduced in 2016 in the province of Cebu with three pilot areas namely, Dalaguete, Tuburan, and Sta. Fe with PNC Retz Pol O. Pacalioga at its provincial coordinator. The program was set in motion to aid PPAN priority provinces with high poverty incidence and high prevalence of stunting.

As stunting prevalence still rocketing over the years, the program was expanded in Negros Oriental in 2020 which is handled by Ms. Kristal Katrina Bacay. The ECCD F1K caries a banner program, the Tutok Kainan Supplementary Program (TKSP). The program still focuses on the same indicators as ECCD F1K with bias on nutritionally at-risk pregnant mothers and teenage pregnant women.

But wait, there’s more, starting this year the provinces of Siquijor and Bohol will also have their new ECCD Provincial Nutrition Focal Person (PNFP), Ms. Mary Bliss Joy P. Iguana, RND and Mr. Arnold R. Bongcac Jr., RN, respectively. Cebu Province on the other hand has their new PNFP, Mr. John Dale C. Maningo, RND. 

Congratulations and welcome to our new nutrition warriors deployed in each province. We know that each one will give their best for the benefit of every Visayan child. // Suzette Jade M. Salado, RND