President Marcos Calls for Nutrition Investment at National Awards Ceremony

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | March 7, 2025, 11:29 AM

MANILA – You know what they say about eating your vegetables? President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took that to heart during the 2024 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Center in the bustling Ortigas Center, Quezon City, on Friday. The president wasn’t just there to hand out awards; he came with a side of hearty advice for local government units (LGUs) across the nation!

Investing in Nutrition: A Recipe for Success

During this event, President Marcos encouraged LGUs to toss in some health and nutritional initiatives into their annual investment plans. It’s time to spice things up, folks! He pointed out that LGUs play a vital role in tackling the issue of malnutrition, which is, let’s face it, a tough nut to crack.

“It is essential that adequate health and nutrition interventions are integrated into the annual investment plan of each local government unit,” Marcos proclaimed, clearly hungry for change. He emphasized that investing in human capital is as important as a good breakfast— it sets the tone for a productive day ahead!

Breaking the Cycle of Malnutrition

Marcos made it clear that when it comes to nutrition, there’s no time to play catch-up. He highlighted the importance of supporting pregnant women, mothers, and their children. “Let us intensify our commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition by looking after the welfare of our people,” he urged, likely imagining a future where every child has all the macros they need for a healthy life—macros as in macronutrients, of course!

He also instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that healthcare and nutrition are included as priority indicators in the Seal of Good Local Governance. Sounds like a tasty way to encourage local governance to put nutrition on their menu!

Stunting: A Hard Habit to Break

Marcos further underscored that malnutrition and stunting begin in early childhood and can be “very difficult to reverse.” It’s like trying to get a stone out of your shoe—definitely easier to avoid stepping on one in the first place! He stressed the importance of collaboration between the national government and local entities, saying, “Through the support and corresponding efforts of our local governments and their chief executives, we can achieve more and cover more ground in this fight.”

Honoring the Champions of Nutrition

To top off the ceremony, President Marcos presented awards to high-performing LGUs and local nutrition focal points (LNFPs) with outstanding nutrition program management practices. These champs were recognized for how they enact policies, carrot out budgets, and implement effective nutrition programs—showcasing what it means to be radically healthy!

The awards were spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council, which has been “cooking up” these programs since 1978. The local nutrition focal points, who are the unsung heroes of the nutritional battlefield, were evaluated on their ability to coordinate, manage, and promote nutrition initiatives. Since their recognition began in 2021, they have been crucial in turning the tide toward a healthier future.

Conclusion: Together Toward a Healthier Tomorrow

As the ceremony came to a close, it is clear that President Marcos’s hearty call to action aims to cultivate a nation where healthy eating isn’t just the icing on the cake, but a mainstay in every community. So, let’s put our forks down (for now) and roll up our sleeves—it’s time to dig into the hard work of ensuring good nutrition for all Filipinos! After all, we can’t just lettuce leaf nutrition to chance. It’s all about taking a bite out of malnutrition—together!

Let’s toast to a healthier, brighter future—filled with veggies and no empty calories!

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