Nearly 4,000 children in Maguindanao del Sur are considered malnourished, prompting the Department of Social Welfare and Development-SOCCSKSARGEN (DSWD-12) and provincial government to step up its efforts against malnutrition in the province.

Data from DSWD-12 showed that 3,800 children aged zero to four years old in the towns of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, Ampatuan, Pagalungan, Datu Montawal, and Shariff Saydona are considered malnourished.

The provincial government and DSWD-12 aim to solve the problem through the “Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon” or Bangun Program.

"Target nito yong mga stunted at malnourished na mga bata, malnourished pakakainin natin sila through community kitchen, magbibigay ang dswd ng inkinds, bigas, ulam na pumasok sa menu na kinakailangan ng katawan ng bata. as per data, yon talagang prevalent, tatargeten namin ang mga bata na walang-wala kaya nga malnourished kasi walang-wala talaga,” DSWD-12 Director Loreto Cabaya Jr. said.

DSWD-12 also intends to guide and provide pregnant women the right nutrition.

The provincial government and DSWD-12 have allocated some P28 million for the “Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon” or Bangun Program, which is set to start on April 15, 2024.

"Ang mga nanay nila. buntis at lactating...at buntis na mga nanay. kailangan natin mabigyan ng magandang foundationang mga bata para maging malusog,” Cabaya added.