Malabon launches program to address malnutrition

MANILA, Philippines — To address hunger among children during the new coronavirus disease pandemic, Malabon City is showing the way with its time-tested nutrition program dubbed “KKC.”

The crisis brought about by the pandemic is affecting the most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly kids under three and pregnant women. Both sectors urgently need help in terms of correct nutrition, most especially for proper brain development during a child’s first 1,000 days.

Time being of the essence, with the crisis primarily impacting low-income families, local government units (LGUs) and concerned groups must quickly implement a nutrition program with a proven record of success and long-term viability.

One such program is KKC, or “Karinderia Para sa Kalusugan ni Chikiting at Buntis.” Started by the Malabon LGU in 2018 under Mayor Lenlen Oreta, it is among the most awarded and cited nutrition programs by the National Nutrition Council.

MOTHER AND CHILD A woman feeds her daughter with nutritious food.

Different approach

“One of the pandemic’s grave effects is the rise of malnutrition, especially among the kids,” Oreta observed. He cited KKC’s success in Malabon, where, he said, “the stunting rate fell to 5.84 percent in 2018 from a double-digit figure four years ago,” and suggested that the program could be replicated by other LGUs.

The KKC approach is different from traditional feeding programs. It ensures program sustainability because both the providers (“karinderias” or eateries in every barangay) and the beneficiaries (those in need of nutritious food) are taken in consideration.

Other LGUs have taken note of KKC. They did benchmarking trips and met with the program stakeholders.