‘1,090 Kalinga kids stunted, severely stunted in 2026; Lubuagan has highest rate’- according to OPHO data

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A total of 1,090 children under five years old in Kalinga were found to be stunted or severely stunted in the 2026 nutrition assessment, highlighting the continuing need for sustained interventions to address child malnutrition.

Data from the 2026 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) of the Provincial Nutrition Committee showed that the 1,090 affected children accounted for a 4.84-percent prevalence rate among children aged 0 to 59 months assessed across the province.

Of the total, 587 were boys and 503 were girls.

The OPT Plus is an annual community-based weighing and height-measurement activity for children aged 0 to 59 months. It is conducted to identify undernourished children, including those who are wasted, stunted or underweight, as well as overweight or obese children.

The program also helps local governments identify growth problems early and develop nutrition action plans to address malnutrition at the community level.

Lubuagan has highest stunting rate

While the province recorded 1,090 stunted and severely stunted children, prevalence varied among municipalities and Tabuk City.

Lubuagan recorded the highest prevalence at 18.28 percent, followed by Tanudan at 14.34 percent and Rizal at 8.84 percent.

Tabuk City posted the lowest prevalence at 3.99 percent, although it recorded the highest number of affected children at 472.

Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Kristal Gail Dacio explained that the ranking is based on the prevalence rate generated by the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus system, which compares the number of affected children with the target population of each local government unit.

She said an LGU may have fewer stunted children in actual numbers but still post a higher prevalence rate if those cases represent a larger portion of its target population.

Dacio cited Lubuagan as an example, where 134 stunted and severely stunted children resulted in a higher prevalence rate because of the municipality’s smaller target population.

“Automatic na nagbibigay ang system ng target base sa estimated population. Kinocompute niya base sa target at sa bilang ng natimbang na bata. Kaya kahit mas marami ang bilang sa Tabuk City, maaaring mas mataas ang rate sa Lubuagan dahil mas maliit ang population nito,” Dacio explained.

Stunted vs. severely stunted

Dacio also clarified that stunting and severe stunting represent different levels of growth impairment based on a child’s height-for-age measurement.

She explained that stunted children fall under a moderate level of growth impairment, while severely stunted children have a more serious growth deficit based on the applicable standard deviation.

Dacio urged parents and caregivers to prioritize proper nutrition, stressing that early attention to children's nutritional needs can help prevent growth faltering and address malnutrition before it becomes more severe.