Basilan has highest child stunting rate in PH — EDCOM II

Basilan recorded the highest prevalence of child stunting in the country, according to data released by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II)

Based on Operation Timbang Plus reports as of March 25, 2025, about 20.42% of children in Basilan were classified as stunted — a condition linked to chronic undernutrition that can impair a child’s physical growth and cognitive development.

Other provinces with high stunting prevalence include Tawi-Tawi (16.96%), Eastern Samar (16.86%), Oriental Mindoro(16.49%), and Davao Occidental (15.20%).

Also included among provinces with elevated stunting rates are Occidental Mindoro, Northern Samar, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Samar.

The figures are based on Operation Timbang Plus, a nationwide nutrition monitoring program used by local governments to track the nutritional status of children and guide interventions to address malnutrition.

The National Average is 7.82% or 514,045 children aged between zero to 5, as the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded a stunting prevalence of 1.78% or a total of 23,321 children aged between zero to 5.

The stunting prevalence of the City of Manila at 8.5%, followed by Pateros (3.4%), Malabon (3.2%), Parañaque (2.7%), Las Piñas (1.9%), San Juan (1.6%), Pasay City (1.6%), Pasig (1.4%), Caloocan (1.3%), and Navotas (1.2%).

Meanwhile, several provinces recorded the lowest prevalence of stunting, led by Pangasinan at 1.95%.

Other provinces with relatively low rates include Capiz (2.01%), Agusan del Norte (2.66%), Sarangani (2.75%), and Misamis Oriental (2.86%).

The list also includes Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato, Laguna, Cotabato, and La Union.

Stunting is a form of chronic undernutrition in which children are significantly shorter than the standard height for their age due to prolonged lack of proper nutrition. Experts warn that the condition can also affect brain development and learning outcomes. — BAP, GMA Integrated News