The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement is a global movement that aims for a world free from malnutrition in all its forms by 2030, which is aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The movement advocates the need for a collaborative and collective effort among the government as lead, civil society, United Nations, donors, research organizations, businesses, private sector, and other partners and individuals to achieve this vision and to ensure that every child, adolescent, mother, and family can realize their right to food and nutrition, reach their full potential and shape sustainable and prosperous societies. The Philippines, through an NNC Governing Board resolution in 2014, approved the country’s registration to SUN. Since then, the Philippines has been continuously active in all activities of the SUN Movement and in strengthening its networks.

In Western Visayas, an orientation on Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) 3.0 was held via an online platform on 23 July 2021. Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, MD, MPH, MCHM, CESO IV, Regional Director of Department of Health Region VI, and Chair of Regional Nutrition Committee gave the welcome message. In his message, he said that we should come together to align our activities and take joint responsibility in Scaling Up Nutrition to the highest level possible. The sustainable future of our children lies in our hands, the option is ours to be a bystander or stand-up and be counted in Scaling Up Nutrition.”

An Inspirational message was delivered by Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang, MCH, CESO III, Assistant Secretary of Health, and Executive Director IV of National Nutrition Council. She is also a SUN Executive Committee member and SUN Coordinator for the Philippines. “The SUN movement or the Scaling Up Nutrition movement was founded in the principle or approach that no single sector or stakeholders can effectively fight malnutrition in all its forms but together we can beat malnutrition to ensure a better and brighter future for our children and make real and substantial change.” -Asec Dayanghirang.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC Region VI, Reginaldo T. Guillen gave an overview on the SUN 3.0, after which Nutrition Officer I Nelin Jean Emboltura shared the Nutrition Situation Update Report 2021. A simultaneous Focus Group Discussion in different break-out rooms for Government (RNC) members, CSOs/NGOs, business groups/private sectors, academe/professional organizations, and media networks was done to further discuss the contributions of the sectors for the SUN Movement.

Participants from the different sectors were present at the orientation:

*Government: Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) members from DA, DAR, DOH, DOST, DPWH, DSWD, DTI, FDA, NFA, NEDA, PCG, PIA, PNP, CPD, and UPV-BIDANI.

*Civil Society Organizations / Non-government organizations: APEX Club, NIFARCO, Life Bank Microfinance Foundation Inc., Core Philippines Inc., Phil. Rural Reconstruction Movement, Leagues of Mayors, Federation of District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators, and Federation of Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

*Business Groups / Private Sectors: Uygongco Foundation Inc., QHP Realty Corporation, Waffle Time Inc.

*Academe/Professional Sectors: University of San Agustin, St. Paul’s University and Nutritionist Dietitians Association of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter.

*Media Network: Panay News, News Express, RMN Iloilo, Super Radyo, Radyo Pilipinas, WV Media Circle.

The urgency to act to together to end all forms of malnutrition was recognized and strongly supported by the different sectors in the region.