Senate President Win Gatchalian has urged local government units to intensify efforts against child stunting as the country observes National Nutrition Month.
Gatchalian said LGUs play a crucial role in addressing childhood malnutrition because they are closest to communities and children who need government support.
His call is consistent with Republic Act No. 12199, or the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, which mandates LGUs to implement ECCD programs and services, including initiatives on child nutrition.
Citing data from the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the Second Congressional Commission on Education noted that the Philippines recorded its first increase in the stunting rate since 2015.
The country’s stunting rate steadily declined from 33.4 percent in 2015 to a record low of 23.6 percent in 2023, before rising to 25.3 percent in 2025, or an increase of 1.7 percentage points.
The latest figure means roughly one in four Filipino children under five years old is stunted.
“Sa paglaban sa malnutrisyon, mahalaga ang papel ng ating mga komunidad, lalo na ang mga LGU, dahil sila ang pinakamalapit sa mga batang kailangang maabot at matulungan,” Gatchalian said.
Under the 2026 national budget, ₱25.6 billion was allocated for the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program, while ₱9.26 billion was set aside for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplementary Feeding Program.
Gatchalian said stronger local implementation is needed to ensure that national nutrition programs reach children at risk of malnutrition and stunting.