Quezon launches Nutrition Month with deeper malnutrition target

By Nimfa L. Estrellado - Laurino Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan joins provincial officials and health leaders during the opening o...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado - Laurino

Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan joins provincial officials and health leaders during the opening of the 11th Barangay Nutrition Scholars Convention at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, marking the launch of Quezon's 2026 Nutrition Month celebration. (Quezon PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in the Philippines, affecting the growth and development of many Filipino children. National and local governments continue to strengthen nutrition programs to reduce stunting, wasting and other forms of malnutrition.

Quezon Province launched its 2026 Nutrition Month celebration on July 1 as it intensified efforts to further reduce child malnutrition. Provincial officials opened the campaign during the 11th Barangay Nutrition Scholars Convention at the Quezon Convention Center.



More than 1,600 Barangay Nutrition Scholars from Quezon's municipalities and cities attended the convention. Local chief executives, nutrition officers and health officials also joined the gathering to review the province's nutrition priorities.


One of the convention's highlights was the presentation of Quezon's latest nutrition accomplishments and targets. Governor Dr. Angelina "Helen" Tan used her address to outline the province's progress and the next steps in its nutrition campaign.

In her speech, Tan said Quezon's malnutrition rate dropped from 19 percent in 2022 to nine percent through coordinated nutrition efforts across the province. She challenged local governments and nutrition workers to reduce the rate by another five percentage points through sustained community interventions.

"Ngayon, siyam na porsyento. Mataas pa rin, pero happy tayo kasi one digit na lang. Kaya nga po ang aking panawagan, kaya ba nating pababain pa ng limang porsyento?" Tan said. "Nakapagpababa nga tayo ng 10 porsyento, iyong limang porsyento, sa tingin ko ay kayang-kaya natin."

Beyond setting a new target, Tan credited Barangay Nutrition Scholars, local governments and partner agencies for helping lower the province's malnutrition rate. She urged nutrition workers to strengthen community monitoring and work closely with parents to reach more at-risk children.

"Kaya po sa araw-araw na kayo ay gumigising, nagtitimbang, nagsusukat at naghahatid ng serbisyo sa mga bata, isipin ninyo na mayroon tayong iisang layunin," Tan said. "Mas maging agresibo pa tayo at sabihin ninyo sa amin kung ano pa ang magagawa natin para sa mga batang nangangailangan."

The convention also highlighted the contribution of Barangay Nutrition Scholars to community nutrition programs across Quezon Province. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Christine May Jean Villaseñor said the annual gathering recognizes their dedication while strengthening partnerships among local governments and health agencies.

"Ang pagtitipon pong ito ay isang selebrasyon upang kilalanin ang inyong mga efforts, your dedication and accomplishment in the service to our nutrition programs," Villaseñor said. "Sa pagkakataon din pong ito, gustong ipahayag ng Provincial Government of Quezon ang ating suporta sa lahat ng programang pangkalusugan at nutrisyon sa ating lahat ng bayan dito sa lalawigan ng Quezon."

Villaseñor expanded on that message by emphasizing the long-term value of proper nutrition for every child. She said proper nutrition gives every child the opportunity to grow, learn and reach his or her full potential.

"Dahil ang araw pong ito ay isa ring araw ng pagpapaalala at pagbigay-inspirasyon sa mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ninyo sa ating komunidad," Villaseñor said. "Ang inyong mga tungkulin at serbisyong ibinibigay ay malaking tulong sa pundasyon ng pag-unlad ng ating kabataan na magiging bahagi ng ating komunidad sa hinaharap."

Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators, Barangay Nutrition Committees and local government units received the Gawad Parangal sa Nutrisyon for excellence in delivering nutrition services. The awards recognized local efforts that helped drive Quezon's continued decline in malnutrition.

The Provincial Government of Quezon urged local governments and nutrition workers to sustain the gains achieved through coordinated nutrition programs. It said continued community-based interventions will be key to lowering the province's malnutrition rate from nine percent to four percent.