LOCAL government units in Davao Region are called to scale up interventions for children’s first 1,000 days to combat stunting and malnutrition.
Alona Teo, National Nutrition Council XI officer, said the first stages of the child’s life are critical since the impacts of stunting could no longer be reversed.
“Malaking bagay ang promotion sa first 1,000 days. As we know, stunting is a nutritional status nga irreversible,” Teo said during the Kapihan sa Dabaw on Monday, July 7.
She stressed that when the child reaches the age of two, the damage is hard to reverse.
The data from NNC showed a high prevalence of stunting in Davao Region according to the World Health Organization’s Public Health Significance.
Under the Top 10 LGUs in the region with highest prevalence rates of sever stunting (0-59 months old), Sarangani municipality under Davao Occidental had a prevalence rate of 24.21%, while Jose Abad Santos (JAS) of the same province placed second with 21.49%.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Laak in Davao de Oro placed third with 15.22%; Talaingod, Davao del Norte was 4th with 14.28; and Don Marcelino of Davao Occidental was fifth with 13.76%.
On the other hand, the municipality of New Bataan in Davao de Oro was 6th with 8.81%; Santa Maria, Davao del Sur was 7th with 8.55%; Padada of the same province was 8th with 8.48%.
San Isidro, Davao del Norte placed 9th and reported a prevalence rate of 7.73%; while Maragusan placed 10th with 7.27%.
Teo said several municipalities fail to formulate their own Local Nutrition Action Plan (LNAP) and local investment plans that align with the Philippine Plan Action on Nutrition.
“Yan ang pinagsusumikapan natin na lahat ng LGUs magkaroon ng kanilang local nutrition action plan supported with the policies,” she stressed.
Last June, Teo said the JAS local government underwent training for the formulation of the LNAP, as previously the LGU had no existing plan.
“We wanted every municipality from Davao Oriental to have LNAP, so we prioritized them, hopefully this becomes their way to combat malnutrition problem,” she said.
The officer reported that the JAS lgu is awaiting finalization with the signature of the mayor pending approving and adapting the plan.
Teo emphasized that the formulation of the plan is critical for more strategic actions and at the same time budget allocation of their targeted programs and interventions.
