Nearly Half of Eastern Visayas Households Face Moderate to Severe Food Insecurity, Survey Finds

TACLOBAN CITY – The 2023 National Nutrition Survey reveals that 43.9 percent of households in Eastern Visayas endure moderate to severe food insecurity, ranking the region second highest among the country’s 17 regions. This figure significantly exceeds the national average of 31.4 percent, the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) disclosed on Wednesday.

According to Ma. Lynell Maniego, a senior science research specialist at DOST-FNRI, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale indicates that four out of every ten households in Eastern Visayas face moderate to severe food insecurity. The prevalence is notably higher among economically disadvantaged families.

"Moderate to severe food insecurity is experienced by four in every 10 households in Eastern Visayas based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The prevalence is significantly higher among poor households," Maniego stated during the presentation in Tacloban City.

Rod Paulo Lorenzo, DOST-FNRI science research specialist, highlighted that the typical daily diet in the region consists mainly of rice, fish, and vegetables, mirroring national consumption patterns. He noted, "These food items were also the most discarded foods in this region. Rice, as the major source of energy, contributes 62.4 percent of the total intake."

The survey also found that the average energy intake of individuals across all age groups in Eastern Visayas falls below the Recommended Energy Intake, signaling inadequate nutritional consumption.

The 2023 NNS surveyed 2,543 households across the six provinces in Eastern Visayas, aiming to provide critical data on the nutritional and health status of the population to guide policy formulation and nutrition programming at both regional and national levels.

Catalino Dotollo, Regional Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council for Eastern Visayas, emphasized the urgent need to boost the production of nutritious food in the region. He urged stakeholders to intensify efforts in promoting backyard and communal gardens, school-based vegetable gardening, and livelihood initiatives spearheaded by local government units.

"We really have to strengthen our advocacy on backyard or communal garden, school-based vegetable gardening, and livelihood programs by local government units," Dotollo said via text message.

DOST-FNRI explained that food insecurity results from the physical unavailability of food, insufficient social or economic access, and inadequate utilization of food resources. Eastern Visayas trails only behind the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which recorded a food insecurity rate of 48.2 percent.

The survey data is expected to inform more responsive and targeted interventions to address food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.