Cebu cuts stunting, still tops nationwide

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu has reduced the number of stunted children since 2023, but the province still records the highest number of cases in the country, with 20,659 children affected, according to the Provincial Health Office.

Based on 2025 data from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), the figure translates to a stunting prevalence of 7.39 percent among children aged zero to 59 months.

While the prevalence has declined over the past three years, public health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said Cebu’s large child population partly explains why the province continues to post the highest magnitude of stunting cases nationwide.

“Nahimo tang top 1 province for stunting in the whole Philippines,” Catalan said.

The latest data showed that the number of stunted children in Cebu declined from 23,057 in 2023, or 8.29 percent of children measured, to 22,066 in 2024, equivalent to 7.85 percent. In 2025, the figure further dropped to 20,659, or 7.39 percent.

The Department of Health (DOH) defines stunting as impaired growth and development among children caused by chronic undernutrition, prolonged poor nutrition, recurring infections and inadequate care.

A child is considered stunted when his or her height is more than two standard deviations below the median height under the World Health Organization’s Child Growth Standards, meaning the child is significantly shorter than expected for his or her age.

Despite the decline, the number of cases remains substantial, with nearly half of Cebu’s stunted children concentrated in just 10 local government units.

Data presented by Catalan showed that these LGUs account for 10,005 cases, while the remaining 40 LGUs account for 10,654.

Toledo City recorded the highest number of stunted children at 1,835, with an 8.5 percent prevalence and 81.6 percent Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+) coverage.

Carcar City followed with 1,612 cases and a 16.8 percent prevalence, although its OPT+ coverage stood at only 58.9 percent.

Other LGUs with high numbers of stunted children were Consolacion with 1,040 cases, Balamban with 900, Tuburan with 868, Liloan with 844, Danao City with 838, Santander with 831, San Francisco with 619 and Carmen with 618.

Tuburan posted the highest stunting prevalence among the listed LGUs at 19.5 percent, followed by Santander at 17.1 percent and Carcar at 16.8 percent.

Catalan said LGUs with high stunting figures also tend to have high poverty incidence, highlighting the connection between malnutrition and household economic conditions.

Cebu’s poverty incidence among families stood at 11.7 percent in 2023, compared with 12.3 percent for Central Visayas and 10.9 percent nationwide.

Catalan said the provincial government must also address gaps in measuring and monitoring children.

Only 74.85 percent of the target population was covered by the 2025 OPT+, lower than the 76.41 percent coverage recorded in 2024 and still below the program’s 90 percent target.

Catalan said measuring only about three-fourths of the target population was insufficient from a statistical standpoint.

“Immediately nag buy pud mi og weighing scales and height measuring tools,” she said, referring to the administration’s efforts to improve its capacity to identify children affected by malnutrition.

The province is also augmenting its nutrition workforce.

Catalan said Cebu currently has only three provincial nutritionists serving the entire province, compared with Cebu City, which has 16.

“Number one atong gi augment atong manpower for nutritionist. Kay tulo rana sila kabook for the whole province,” she said.

The provincial government is also expanding its approach to malnutrition by focusing on food security, local food production and access to nutritious food.

Catalan said the administration is pursuing a Zero Hunger and Nutrition Plan for Cebu, as pushed by Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

Budget utilization for nutrition has also improved under the current administration.

Based on the Annual Investment Program, the province allocated P100 million for nutrition in 2024 but utilized only 0.28 percent of the amount. In 2025, P90 million was allocated, with utilization reaching 8.99 percent.

For 2026, Cebu allocated P75 million for nutrition, of which 65.6 percent had already been utilized.

Catalan said the province’s strategy goes beyond providing food to children who are already malnourished.

Officials are also looking at whether nutritious food is available and accessible to families and communities.

Community kitchens eyed

Provincial officials have also discussed with the Zuellig Family Foundation the possible establishment of community kitchens as part of a broader nutrition intervention.

Catalan said feeding programs may provide immediate relief but often fail to address the underlying causes of malnutrition if children return to the same food situation after the intervention ends.

Dr. Miguel Tristan Rebalde, health data analyst and coordinator for the Cebu Provincial Health Office, likewise pointed to the limitations of short-term feeding programs.

“We have a feeding then after one, two, three months mobalik ra gihapon og lower ang weight kay ig balik nila kay mao ra gihapon oy pagkaon,” Rebalde said.

Catalan said the province is studying the possibility of establishing community kitchens, particularly at the barangay level, where residents could have greater access to nutritious food while also learning how to prepare it properly.

“The one of the problem sa nutrition is the access,” she said.

She added that discussions with the Zuellig Family Foundation covered not only what food should be provided but also how it should be prepared.

The proposed community kitchens are still being studied to determine whether they can be accommodated within the provincial budget. The province is also considering possible partnerships with the private sector.

Catalan warned that stunting is more than a problem of physical growth, as its effects may extend to a child’s cognitive development.

“Dako gud og possibility na ma affected jud ilang brain development,” Catalan said.

She said impaired brain development could eventually affect literacy and comprehension.

The province is now seeking assistance from the Zuellig Family Foundation in governance, policy development and technical support for its nutrition programs. A memorandum of agreement between the province and the foundation is pending before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Catalan said addressing Cebu’s stunting problem would require the participation of mayors, LGUs, civil society organizations and the private sector. — (FREEMAN)