The Mayor’s Forum with local chief executives and other local officials seeking to enhance the implementation of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) was successfully conducted on March 28, 2023, in Manila with local officials, health experts, and community leaders.

The forum sought to address the issue of malnutrition and other health-related concerns in the country through a collaborative effort that empowers communities to take ownership of their health and well-being through the implementation of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), a holistic project harmonizing the delivery of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions to reduce stunting in targeted localities around the country.

The significant event, graced by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Health OIC-Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, and representatives from World Bank and UNICEF, highlighted the significant role of community participation in identifying and addressing the root causes of malnutrition, as well as in promoting healthy behaviors and practices. They all emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in tackling malnutrition.

It featured a series of talks and workshops by health experts and community leaders, which focused on various malnutrition prevention and management aspects. Participants engaged in interactive discussions on the importance of nutrition education, access to healthy food, and community-based initiatives to improve health outcomes.

DSWD Chief Gatchalian highlighted the importance of consultative and participative planning process. ‘We want to make sure that your voices are heard. We want to make sure that this is collaborative and consultative. Ito ho ‘yung magiging driving principle ng DSWD sa mga susunod na panahon sa tuwing maglalabas po kami ng mga programa” (This will be the driving principle of the DSWD in the future whenever we release programs), Secretary Gatchalian said.

In addition, the forum showcased successful community-driven development initiatives from various municipalities in the country. These initiatives demonstrated how communities could actively promote healthy behaviors and practices and address social determinants of health that contribute to malnutrition.

The Mayor’s Forum generated a sense of enthusiasm and commitment among participants towards taking collective action to combat malnutrition in the country. Participants expressed their commitment to working together towards implementing community-driven development initiatives that address the root causes of malnutrition, improve access to healthy food, and promote healthy lifestyles.

DSWD will serve as one of the co-implementers of the PMNP together with the DOH. Through the Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program, it will hold community-based nutrition service delivery and multisectoral nutrition convergence.

Kalahi-CIDSS utilizes the community-driven development (CDD) approach, which empowers community members to identify and prioritize their locality’s problems actively. The program also enables the locals to design, implement, and manage solutions to their priority problems, including answers to address health concerns such as stunting.

The forum’s success is a testament to the importance of community participation in addressing public health issues. It also highlights the significance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable and equitable development in the country.