CATBALOGAN CITY (Retz Pol O.Pacalioga, UNICEF) – In his state of the nutrition address during the 2nd Semester Provincial Development Council Meeting, last 14 October 2020 via Zoom Conference, Governor Michael Reynolds Tan of Samar Province stressed to end the perineal problem of malnutrition in the province.

According to the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey, the province of Samar records a staggering 42 percent stunting prevalence. This is higher than the national stunting prevalence which is 30.3 percent. Moreover, the province ranks number one in terms of stunting prevalence in Eastern Visayas Region with seven of its municipalities included in the region’s top ten list in terms of high stunting rates (OPT+ 2019).

The alarming problem of stunting is a force to reckon with as the COVID-19 pandemic has also disrupted food systems, lack of economic opportunity and limited access to health and nutrition services which are also vital in addressing malnutrition.

While COVID-19 continues to challenge the gains in nutrition, the province is firm in its fight to address malnutrition particularly stunting. Focusing on pregnancy up to the first two years of a child’s life, the province hopes to greatly reduce stunting through the initiation of the Samar First 1000 Days Program. Such a program will harmonize all efforts in the province to improve maternal and child health and nutrition outcomes.

With the presence of the various local chief executives in the province, Governor Tan enjoins all LGUs to put nutrition as a priority in the development agenda. Likewise, he stressed that nutrition is a shared responsibility. “If we want to reach the people down to the barangay, we need everybody’s assurance and dedication to ensure that health systems are in place and make sure that quality health and nutrition services are available for our constituents,” says Governor Tan in his speech.

While there is no guarantee when the pandemic will end, the province of Samar continues to be resilient in its fight to address malnutrition as it is their only hope to strengthen the health and immune system of its people particularly the Samarnon children.