Marcos to local leaders: Break cycle of malnutrition in your area
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the End-Term General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in this file photo taken on Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged local chief executives to commit to addressing the problem of nutrition in their jurisdictions in a bid to break the cycle of “intergenerational malnutrition.”
Speaking at the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in Quezon City, Marcos emphasized that the success of a society lies in the health and well-being of its people.
“It is essential that adequate health and nutrition interventions are integrated into the annual investment plan of each local government unit. Investing in human capital is the key to securing our nation’s future,” he said in his speech.
“Therefore, let us intensify our commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition by looking after the welfare of our people, especially pregnant women, mothers, and their children,” the president added.
Marcos also mentioned a study conducted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education, revealing that malnourished children in the country are two to three years behind their curriculum expectations by the time they reach third grade.
“Because the effects of malnutrition… stunting starts at a very young age. And after a certain age, maybe around eight years old, they are very difficult to reverse, if actually possible,” Marcos said.
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The president also mentioned the government’s First 1,000 Days program for pregnant women, which ensures proper nutrition for the children even before they are born.
The awarding ceremony is an annual event of the National Nutrition Council aimed at recognizing outstanding local government units and local nutrition focal points for their effective and efficient implementation of nutrition programs.
