Koronadal City, SOuth Cotabato, Philippines | April 20, 2026—A weeklong evaluation by the Provincial Nutrition Evaluation Team identified three major concerns in South Cotabato: rising teenage pregnancy, persistent malnutrition among school children, and limited access to safe drinking water in some communities.
The findings emerged from field assessments conducted across selected municipalities as part of the province’s regular nutrition program evaluation, which measures the performance of local government units in implementing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. The evaluation aligns with national efforts to address malnutrition through the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), which emphasizes maternal health, child nutrition, and access to basic services such as water and sanitation.
Angela Frugalidad, Community Affairs Chief and member of the evaluation team, said the issues are interconnected and require coordinated action at the community level.
“Teenage pregnancy remains a concern because it directly affects both maternal and child nutrition. Young mothers are often unprepared physically and economically, which increases health risks for both mother and child,” she said.
Frugalidad also noted that cases of undernutrition among school-aged children remain evident in several areas.
“Despite ongoing feeding programs, we still see children who are underweight or stunted. This indicates gaps not only in food access but also in nutrition practices at home,” she added.
Access to potable water was also flagged as a key concern affecting overall health outcomes.
“Safe water is essential to nutrition. Without it, children are more vulnerable to infections and diseases that worsen malnutrition,” Frugalidad explained.
Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Rudy Jimenea emphasized that the evaluation is not only meant to assess performance but also to guide targeted interventions.
“These findings help us refine our strategies. We need to strengthen programs on adolescent health, intensify nutrition support in schools, and work closely with LGUs to improve water systems,” Jimenea said.
He added that the provincial government will continue to support municipalities in addressing these gaps through technical assistance and resource mobilization.
“Our goal is to ensure that interventions are responsive to actual community needs. Nutrition is not just about food—it involves health services, education, and access to basic utilities,” he said.
The Provincial Nutrition Evaluation is part of the broader monitoring system that recognizes high-performing local government units while providing guidance to areas needing improvement. Officials said the results will serve as the basis for program adjustments to further strengthen South Cotabato’s nutrition initiatives.
