The urgent need to treat childhood malnutrition as a national security priority was the central message of Former Senator Joey Lina’s data-rich presentation. Speaking at the Manila Prince Hotel on August 16 during a coalition training, he directly connected the issue to the Philippines’ poor rankings in human development and its declining competitiveness on the world stage.
The former senator emphasized that the nation’s most pressing investment must be in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to the second birthday—a period he described as the “golden window of opportunity” for holistic development.
“Nutrition is not just about food; it is the very foundation of health, brain development, and future productivity,” Lina stated. “The data is clear and alarming. We are failing our children in their most critical period, and the entire nation is paying the price.”
A Crisis Rooted in Poverty
Lina presented World Bank data revealing that poverty is the primary driver of malnutrition. A staggering 42.4% of children from the poorest 20% of Filipino households suffer from stunted growth, a physical sign of chronic malnutrition that foretells a lifetime of disadvantage.
The Multifaceted Damage of Malnutrition
The presentation detailed the devastating, cascading effects of failing to nourish children properly:
- Loss of Life: A sobering statistic from UNICEF highlights the severity: 95 Filipino children die every day due to malnutrition.
- Poor Health Outcomes: Malnourished children face a higher lifetime risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It also negatively impacts oral health, reducing salivary flow and increasing dental problems.
- Impaired Brain Development: A side-by-side image comparison from the World Bank showed the stark physical difference between the brains of a stunted child and a well-nourished child, demonstrating how malnutrition irreversibly hinders cognitive architecture.
The Cognitive and Educational Emergency
Lina presented what he termed the “most worrying” indicators: the Philippines’ performance in cognitive ability and education.
- Low National Average IQ: Citing World Population Review data, the Philippines consistently ranks at the bottom in average IQ among ASEAN nations, with a score of 86 (2019) and 81.64 (2023), trailing behind neighbors like Singapore (108), Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- Abysmal Academic Performance: The 2018 PISA results ranked Filipino students second to the last in mathematics and science among 79 participating countries. While the 2022 rankings showed slight improvement, the country remains in the bottom tier.
- Learning Poverty: The World Bank estimates a 91% learning poverty rate in the Philippines, meaning 9 out of 10 children at age 10 cannot read and understand a simple text.
The Economic Toll: A Nation Held Back
The former senator powerfully connected childhood stunting to national economic stagnation.
- Lagging Behind Neighbors: The Philippines’ Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $4,010 (2022) lags significantly behind regional peers like Thailand ($7,230), Indonesia ($4,580), and Vietnam ($4,210), classifying it as a lower middle-income economy.
- Low Human Capital: The World Bank’s Human Capital Index for the Philippines is 52%. “This means the future productivity of a child born today will be only half of what it could have been with complete education and full health,” Lina explained.
- GDP Per Capita Ranking: IMF projections for 2025 rank the Philippines 7th out of 11 Southeast Asian nations in GDP per capita ($4.3k), far behind leaders Singapore ($92.9k) and even behind Vietnam ($4.8k).
A Clarion Call for Coordinated Action
Former Senator Lina concluded not with despair, but with an urgent call to action. He urged coalition leaders from government agencies, civil society, and the private sector to unite under the “Children’s First 1000 Days” advocacy.
“The evidence is undeniable. Investing in the first 1,000 days is our most strategic lever to break the intergenerational cycles of poverty and poor health,” Lina asserted. “This is not merely a health issue; it is an economic imperative, a national security priority, and our moral obligation to the next generation. By ensuring every child gets the right start, we are not just saving lives—we are building a smarter, healthier, and more competitive Philippines.”
The presentation served as a foundational training module to equip leaders with the hard data and narrative needed to champion policies and programs focused on maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding, and integrated early childhood care.
The event was attended by several organizations, among them are The Fraternal Order of Eagles under the leadership of National President Ronald F. Delos Santos, Lions Club, and Rotary Club.#
About the Children’s First 1000 Days Coalition: A multi-sectoral advocacy group led by Former Senator Joey Lina, Jr., focused on ensuring the holistic development of Filipino children through targeted interventions in nutrition, health, and early education during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
