‘Tutok Kainan’ launched in Isabela to address stunting and malnutrition

Alicia, Isabela – To address child stunting and malnutrition in the province, the National Nutrition Council Region 2, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Isabela, launched the “Tutok Kainan” Dietary Supplementation Program (TKDSO) on September 9.

The program aims to provide nutritious food to at-risk pregnant women and young children aged 6-23 months with the goal of preventing stunting during the critical "First 1,000 Days" of a child's life, a period vital for physical and cognitive development.

According to Isabela PIO, the province was identified as a priority area under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition due to its high incidence of stunting.

According to the data from the Operation Timbang Plus survey, the prevalence of child stunting among under-five children in Isabela was 3.3 in 2020, 2.93 percent in 2021, 3.26 in 2022, 2.56 percent in 2023 and 2.09 percent in 2024.

The decline shows significant progress, but continued nutrition efforts are necessary to further bring the numbers down.

In connection with the program, the provincial government also distributed chicks, seeds, and seedlings to aid families in growing and producing their own food in the future. The said program is more than a dietary program; it is a long-term plan to ensure families can sustain healthy diets on their own.

Governor Rodito T. Albano, along with other municipal stakeholders, pledged support for the program, stating that no child should be left behind in the fight against malnutrition.

The launch marks Isabela’s renewed commitment to a stunting-free and hunger-free future for its children.