16/03/2026
๐๐๐-๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The National Nutrition Council โ National Capital Region (NNC-NCR), led by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo, along with City and Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinators (C/MNPCs) in Metro Manila and Regional Nutrition Committee member, Ms. Marlene Viray-Navarro of the Grace Family Helper Project, participated in the World Obesity Day Philippine Forum held on March 13, 2026, at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.
The forum, themed โ8 ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐,โ highlighted urgent actions to prevent obesity in communities. Speakers emphasized the need to promote healthier food environments, strengthen evidence-based policies, and sustain collaboration among stakeholders.
Obesity continues to be a growing public health concern affecting people of all ages. According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Department of Science and Technology โ Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), 19.1% of school-age children aged 5-10 years old in NCR are overweight or obese, higher than the national prevalence of 12.9%. Experts stressed that early prevention is crucial and requires supportive food environments, nutrition education, and accessible health and nutrition services.
Local governments play a vital role in creating healthier communities. During Session 3: Strengthening Communities from the Ground Up: LGU and Barangay Successes in Obesity Prevention, local leaders shared how policies, programs, and multisectoral collaboration can help communities adopt healthier lifestyles. Ms. Jennily Capalaran, City Nutrition Action Officer of Pasig City, highlighted initiatives such as the โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ-๐ผ-๐๐๐ฃ๐ช๐ฉ๐, ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ฝ๐ช๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ฉโ program, which encourages students in public elementary schools to engage in short bouts of physical activity. Public spaces like float parks, recognized in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025โ2026, also provide residents with opportunities for physical activity. Pasig City has also strengthened nutrition policies through ๐ข๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ฑ๐ฐ, ๐.๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ, which sets guidelines for registering sari-sari stores, and ๐ข๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ญ๐ฐ, ๐.๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒ, which amended the cityโs Salt Iodization Program to improve access to fortified and healthier foods.
Meanwhile, Dr. Olive Esquivias, the City Nutrition Action Officer of Quezon City, shared how the Quezon City Health Department promotes healthier diets in schools and workplaces. The city is implementing Phase 1 of ๐ข๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ฆ๐ฃ-๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฐ, ๐.๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฐ, which mandates calorie labeling in restaurants and food establishments, with Phases 2 and 3 scheduled for December 2026 and 2027. Community initiatives such as barangay and school gardens, parent education programs, and public health installations, like the Health Totem at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, further encourage healthier behaviors.
Both cities emphasized that addressing obesity requires strong multisectoral collaboration, active engagement of barangays, and sustained community-based programs. CNAO Capalaran and CNAO Esquivias noted that behavior change takes time and that families need continuous guidance and support. Transparency, accountability, and incentive-based participation were also highlighted to ensure programs remain effective and responsive to community needs.
During the open forum session, NPC Federizo underscored the importance of the First 1,000 Days, stressing that proper nutrition and care during this critical period give children a healthier start in life and help reduce their risk of obesity later on.
As part of the forum, NNC-NCR, through NPC Federizo, signed the Commitment Wall, reaffirming its continued commitment to promoting healthy nutrition, especially in the First 1000 Days, supporting local governments, and encouraging community-based efforts to prevent obesity.
Addressing obesity requires sustained commitment and united action from government agencies, non-government organizations, local leaders, schools, health professionals, families, and communities. By strengthening policies, promoting healthier food environments, expanding social and behavior-change communication, and supporting active lifestyles, stakeholders can work together to help individuals adopt healthier habits and build communities where healthy choices are easier and more accessible for all.
Written by Nutrition Officer II Jim Andrei Victoria and RNPC Milagros Elisa Federizo
