Abalos to LGUs: Eradicate malnutrition

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Friday has urged all local government units to prioritize maternal, neonatal, and child health nutrition programs in their localities.

This comes as the DILG chief expressed support to the implementation of Republic Act 11148 or the "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act".

Abalos stressed that LGUs play a key role in the whole-of-government approach to combat malnutrition among adolescent females, pregnant and lactating women, infants, and young children and the reduction of maternal mortality and stunting in children.

"I feel so strongly about this as I have advocated the same since my time as a local chief executive in Mandaluyong City. The movement against malnutrition and the welfare of pregnant and lactating women can start for all LGUs, too," Abalos said.

During his term as Mandaluyong City mayor, the Nutrition Honor Award — which was the highest accolade conferred by the National Nutrition Council to an LGU — was conferred to the city for three consecutive years.

He was also cited for his Millennium Baby Project which provided care for women and their babies and the creation of the Breastfeeding Patrol, a group of breast-feeding mothers who can be pulled during emergencies to breast-feed hungry babies.

Through the DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-149 dated 21 October 2023, Abalos directed LGUs to integrate programs on nutrition for adolescent females, pregnant and lactating women, infants, and young children in their investment plans for health, prioritizing those who are nutritionally at risk.

Some primary services required by the program include pregnancy tracking and regular counseling for pregnant women, breastfeeding plans and resources for postpartum and lactating women, newborn screening and vaccination for newborn babies, and nutrition counseling for children up to two years of age.