Samar is a challenging province as far as malnutrition prevalence, particularly stunting. Hence, the administration of former governor and now Representative Reynolds Michael Tan prioritized nutrition. This was reaffirmed by the current Governor Sharee Ann Tan.

Proof to these efforts is the branding of Tatak Tangkad.

Tatak Tangkad is the province’s First 1000 days program. Through the years, it consistently on tops in terms of malnutrition status.

However, because of the aggressive efforts of the provincial government to reduce the malnutrition prevalence, the province now is reducing, though slowly, its prevalence particularly on stunting.

From 25.11% in 2017 it reduced to 19.77 in 2021 based on operation timbang (OPT) results. OPT is a community-based tool gathered by Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and supervised by local health and nutrition workers.

Data from National Nutrition Survey (NNS) though showed higher prevalence at around more than 40%.

The lady governor on August 26 conducted a Governor’s Engagement with Mayors (GEM). The GEM was an opportunity for the governor to lobby among city and municipal mayors of her province to invest in nutrition. Prior to commitment setting, the governor presented the province’s vision and mission for 2023-2025.

Moreover, after presenting the vision and mission, she outlined her objectives, plans and investments. She mentioned that the province is targeting a single digit prevalence in stunting by the end of 2025. This means that the province and its component municipalities and cities will contribute to at least 3.5% reduction annually by the end of 2025.

Similarly with her province, she reaffirmed the former governor’s 3-point agenda. The agenda include 1) organize and reorganize the local nutrition committees and make it functional; 2) formulate a 3-year local nutrition action plans and should be adequately funded and update it annually and 3) create a separate office, appoint a full-time nutrition action officer and support staff.

The activity was organized by Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and funded by UNICEF and KOICA. It was attended by ZFF Executive Director and former DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero, DOH CHD 8 Regional Director Exuperia B. Sabalberino and NNC 8 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. The two regional heads gave their message of support to the entire province.

The activity was also attended by UNICEF and KOICA account officers. #RNPC-CPD