KORONADAL CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato (SoCot) has expressed serious concern over a rising number of malnourished children in the province, based on recent data from the Department of Education (DepEd).

Rudy S. Jimenea, Provincial Information Officer and Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO), said in a radio interview that the province’s malnutrition rate among school-aged children climbed to 14.86 percent, according to the 2024 Nutritional Status Report of the South Cotabato Division, which drew its data from DepEd’s regional and central offices.

Jimenea admitted the figures came as a surprise, especially considering the discrepancy in funding for nutrition-related programs.

He noted that DepEd had a budget of more than P74 million for these initiatives, compared to the provincial government’s annual allocation of P4.8 million. The provincial fund covers nutrition programs, honoraria for Barangay Nutrition Scholars and various training activities.

The PNAO expressed alarm over the continued increase in malnutrition cases, emphasizing that it runs counter to Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.’s goal of eradicating malnutrition in the province.

“Every statistic represents a person — a child whose well-being must be protected,” Jimenea said.

He clarified that the provincial government focuses its nutrition programs on pre-school children, while DepEd is responsible for the health and nutrition of its enrolled learners.