The 6th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2003, showed that among the preschool-age children, national estimates for the prevalence of malnutrition reveal that about 26 out of every 100 children (26.9%) are underweight. About the same proportion (24.6%) are short or under-height which indicates chronic or long-standing malnutrition and about 5.3% suffer from thinness or acute malnutrition.

Findings among the school-age children show that about 24.6% are underweight for their age. While 26.3% are classified as short or under-height and apparently have suffered from malnutrition in the past.

The FNRI survey also revealed that regions that have the highest prevalence of malnutrition among 0-5 year-old children are: (1) MIMAROPA 34.2% (2) Cagayan Valley 34.1% and (3) ARMM 34%. For 6-10 years old, (1) Bicol 36.1% (2) Eastern Visayas 35% and (3) MIMAROPA 32.2%. Regions with the lowest prevalence (NCR and Central Luzon) in both age categories have at least 16% of the children found to be malnourished.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition prevalence of 5% is considered of public health significance. The prevalence rates of underweight and under-height among our Filipino children based on FNRI study are of high magnitude; they are definitely considered of public health concern. This calls for a more focused action on the part of the government as well as of the private sector to address the problem seriously.

To help mitigate this problem, the Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation, headed by Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales and 13 other bishops launched the HAPAG-ASA Integrated Nutrition Program in July 2005 in partnership with Assisi Development Foundation and Feed the Children Philippines.

• Spread the Christian Spirit of SHARING and LOVING our neighbors as exemplified in the Miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes (Mt. 14:13-21)
  
  
• Alleviate hunger of poor and malnourished children and improve their nutritional status
  
  
• To provide parents with basic knowledge and skills aimed at improving their capacity to care for their children, and access to livelihood opportunities to ensure the well-being of their children even after the six-month feeding
  

Since 2005, the program has already fed more than 200,000 malnourished children. These children were fed through the different dioceses, schools, local government units and organizations who implemented the program.

Table 1. 2005-2006 Hapag-asa Integrated Nutrition Program Accomplishment

Table 2. 2007 Hapag-asa Integrated Nutrition Program Accomplishment

Table 3. 2008 Hapag-Asa Program Status As of March 31, 2009

Table 4. 2009 Hapag-Asa Program Status As of March 31, 2009

1. Supplemental Feeding
Provision of one meal per day five days a week for 6 months with Vitameal-enriched foods to malnourished children ages 6months to 12 years old.

Priority is given to malnourished children 6 years old and below to address critical years of brain development. The daily foods are either served as a complete meal (rice and viand) or heavy snacks such as Champorado in designated feeding sites.

2. Education Classes
Education classes for parents are conducted simultaneously for 6 months covering topics on (a) Affective Parenting (b) Health and Nutrition (c) Responsible Parenthood and Values; and (d) Livelihood.

Suggested length of each session is either one hour daily or half day once a week.

3. Livelihood and Skills Training
Skills training are conducted and livelihood opportunities are provided in partnership with government and non-government organizations, to help the parents help themselves and their children.

The parents who have undergone the education classes are the ones eligible for the available livelihood opportunities.