THE HOUSE Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department has organized a round table discussion tackling the issue of child stunting.

Dr. Romulo Emmanuel Miral, Deputy Secretary General of the CPBRD, said child stunting arising from malnutrition, is a pressing concern, citing a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing 14.2% of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger.

“Stunting has far-reaching economic implications too. Studies had shown that nations with high rates of stunting, experience significant losses in productivity and potential GDP growth,” he noted.

The Philippines has a greater prevalence of stunting among children under five, 28.8% than the Asian regional average of 21.8%, according to the 2022 Global Nutrition Report.

DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo pushed for modifications to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, including offering mothers and pregnant women recognition, incentives, and health grants such as the first 1,000 days grant, as interventions to address child stunting.

Justin Muyot, co-convenor of Malusog at Matalinong Bata Coalition, agreed with the sentiment, supporting the proposed 4Ps budget increase, with funds for the F1D grant.

Reginaldo Guillen, chief of the Nutrition Policy and Planning Division of the National Nutrition Council, presented the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028, which aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition across all life stages by 2028 through interventions focusing on healthier diets, better practices and improved access to quality services.

Alice Nkoroi, UNICEF Philippines Nutrition Manager, recommended that the 4Ps be updated regularly, with target beneficiaries revisited, adjusting for inflation, improving the quality of Family Development Sessions and formalizing and structuring the 4Ps linkages.

She also conveyed UNICEF’s support for the proposed F1D grant for pregnant mothers and children aged 0 to 2 years.

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Bacoor Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla shared their thoughts during the open forum.

Romulo, chairperson of the committee on basic education and culture, asked NNC for more detailed programs to ensure proper budget allocation.