Did you know that about 12 million children in the Philippines don't receive proper childcare and nurturing services? There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. That is precisely what Malabon City is doing with the help and cooperation of its dedicated Nutrition Committees and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

Named the "Most Innovative LGU in Nutrition Program Management" during the 2021 Gawad Parangal by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Malabon City continues to implement innovative and timely health programs to combat malnutrition in the city.

In Malabon City, each barangay is given a program with a single goal: to lower the rate of malnutrition in their community effectively. Barangay Nutrition Scholars are encouraged to innovate their programs to suit the beneficiaries assigned to them.

Relevant programs like "Operation Timbang Plus" include monitoring the weight and height of the children to identify who are malnourished, stunted, and wasted. The Barangay Nutrition Scholars also give micronutrients supplements such as Vitamin A for those who are in need.

After thorough validation with the needs of the children, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars enroll the children in programs such as Karinderia para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting at Buntis (KKC), a 90 to 120-day feeding program to effectively help every malnourished Malabonians. The scholars also weigh the children every month and visit them for other assistance.

Lack of awareness among mothers and caregivers about proper child nutrition is also one of the reasons for malnutrition in the Philippines. Barangay Nutrition Scholars educate pregnant and lactating moms on topics about the first 1000 days, breastfeeding, supplementation, and preparation of nutritious food.

Aside from malnutrition, other Barangay Nutrition Scholars also go deep into monitoring the needs of the children, like implementing Tuberculin tests for those with weak lungs.

To maximize what the Barangay Nutrition Scholars can do to reduce the community's malnutrition rate, the city government devised an awarding system to recognize the most innovative and effective programs executed by each barangay in Malabon City.

"The intensity of success and impact of the programs they developed is the basis of awarding of distinction per barangay," says Fidel Baltazar P. Dela Cruz, 2019 Local Nutrition Program Coordinator of the Year Finalist.

Despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not stop the Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Nutrition Committees from creating several nutrition programs that benefit the whole community.

"The past two years have been particularly tough for us because of the pandemic. We are used to doing our work face-to-face. Today, we have limited access because we must follow the proper protocols. "Even with these challenges, we worked hard and made sure to use various resources to reach those who need our help," says Ms. Lizel, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar from Brgy. Niugan.

Social media platforms help the world remain connected, especially amid the pandemic. Through Facebook Messenger and Zoom, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars conducted e-learning lessons about nutrition.

Ms. Agustina, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar from Brgy. Potrero says, "We are dedicated and passionate in what we do." Being chased by dogs, falling off from a bridge, and even climbing a tree are just a few encounters of a Barangay Nutrition Scholar to give adequate service to every Malabonian.

"Our work is difficult, but it does not compare to the joy and satisfaction we feel knowing that we have helped a child or a mother who desperately needed help," says Nancy Mendoza, the 2019 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar Finalist.

No one should ever have to suffer from malnutrition. The Malabon City Government, together with its Barangay Nutrition Committees and Scholars, will continue to fight malnutrition with dedication, unwavering support, and proper nutritional health care to ensure that every Malabonian can have a healthier tomorrow.