FOOD security has become a central focus of this year’s National Nutrition Month as the government underscores the link between climate change, environmental protection and the nutritional well-being of Filipinos.
Previous Nutrition Month campaigns emphasized healthy eating and preventing malnutrition. This year’s observance expands the conversation to the country’s ability to produce, distribute and sustain nutritious food despite climate-related disruptions. Through the sub-theme “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!,” the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is emphasizing that protecting the environment is essential to protecting the nation’s food supply.
The Food and Agriculture Organization defines food security as a state in which all people have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food at all times. That goal is becoming harder to achieve as stronger typhoons, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures continue to disrupt farms, fisheries and food supply chains.
The NNC describes this year’s campaign as “a call to action” for government agencies, local governments, civil society, businesses and communities to protect both human health and the environment. It says safeguarding forests, oceans, agricultural lands and water resources is essential to securing the country’s food supply and ensuring future generations have access to safe, nutritious and sustainable diets.
The challenge is reflected in the latest nutrition data. The 2023 Expanded National Nutrition Survey found that 31.4 percent of Filipino households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, meaning they lacked reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food. When prices rise or supplies tighten, many families skip meals, reduce portions or switch to cheaper, less nutritious food.
Children remain the most vulnerable. Data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute show that nearly one in four Filipino children younger than 5 is stunted, while wasting and micronutrient deficiencies remain persistent public health concerns. At the same time, overweight and obesity continue to rise among children and adults, creating what health experts describe as the country’s “double burden of malnutrition,” in which undernutrition exists alongside diet-related diseases.
Climate change is making those problems worse. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and more frequent extreme weather reduce farm output, damage fisheries and disrupt food distribution. Lower production pushes prices higher, putting fruits, vegetables, fish and other nutrient-rich foods beyond the reach of many low-income families.
Food production also contributes to the problem. Global food systems account for an estimated 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions through farming, processing, transportation and consumption. Unsustainable agricultural practices, land degradation and food waste add to those emissions, creating a cycle that threatens future food production.
To help break that cycle, the NNC is urging local governments, communities and the private sector to promote climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fisheries, diversified crop production and efficient water management. The council also encourages reducing food waste, supporting community gardens and protecting forests, agricultural lands, watersheds and coastal ecosystems that sustain the country’s food supply.
Technology is expected to play a larger role in improving food security. Satellite remote sensing allows agricultural agencies to monitor crops, floods and droughts in near real time. Artificial intelligence and precision agriculture help farmers detect pests earlier, use water and fertilizer more efficiently and improve yields. Better weather forecasting also helps farmers make more informed planting and harvesting decisions.