Call for Expression of Interest: Strengthening MIYCN and Salt Iodization (Philippines)

Deadline: 24-Mar-2026

The Philippines Government, in partnership with UNICEF and other stakeholders, is implementing a comprehensive program to tackle malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among children and women. With a PHP 11,000,000 budget, the initiative targets maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN), capacity building for health and agriculture workers, promotion of diet diversity, and enforcement of salt iodization policies to improve child growth, cognitive development, and long-term health outcomes.

Program Overview

The initiative addresses critical public health challenges in the Philippines, focusing on:

• Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN): Promoting proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life

• Capacity Building: Training primary health care workers and agriculture workers to provide consistent, high-quality nutrition guidance

• Dietary Diversity: Supporting women and children in achieving nutrient-rich diets

• Policy Enforcement: Strengthening compliance with salt iodization standards

• Learning and Training Materials: Updating MIYCN resources for health workers and developing agricultural training modules

Despite progress in nutrition policy, malnutrition remains a pressing concern:

• Stunting in children under five: 23.6% (2023 National Nutrition Survey)

• Wasting: 5.6%

• Iodine deficiency among pregnant women: Persistent, affecting fetal brain development and long-term cognitive outcomes

Key Objectives

The program aims to:

1. Train health care workers: Ensure at least 70% of primary health care workers nationwide are trained in MIYCN by the end of 2026

2. Enhance agriculture worker capacity: Target 70% of agriculture workers in Central Visayas to promote dietary diversity for women and children

3. Strengthen salt iodization enforcement: Map and profile salt producers and enforce iodization standards at national and subnational levels

4. Improve nutrition knowledge: Update MIYCN learning materials and develop modules for agricultural production and dietary diversity

5. Integrate supportive supervision: Use lessons from the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) to ensure consistent and effective interventions

Funding Allocation

The program has an indicative budget of PHP 11,000,000, which will fund:

• Capacity building for health care and agriculture workers

• Training and development of MIYCN and dietary diversity modules

• Supervision and mentoring for nutrition interventions

• Policy enforcement and regulatory oversight of salt iodization

• Data collection, mapping, and profiling of salt producers

Why This Matters

• Child Nutrition: Reduces stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies

• Cognitive Development: Ensures adequate iodine intake during pregnancy to support fetal brain growth

• Human Capital: Strengthens long-term health outcomes and economic productivity

• Policy Compliance: Reinforces national nutrition laws such as the First 1,000 Days Law and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028

Implementation Approach

• Integrated Capacity Building: Train health and agriculture workers with standardized MIYCN guidance

• Policy Monitoring: Strengthen enforcement of iodization standards through mapping and regulatory oversight

• Community Engagement: Support families with counseling and nutrition guidance at the local level

• Evidence-Based Intervention: Use updated learning materials and monitoring systems to ensure program effectiveness

Expected Outcomes by 2026

• Health Workforce: 70% of primary health care workers trained in MIYCN across all regions

• Agricultural Workforce: 70% of agriculture workers in Central Visayas capable of promoting dietary diversity

• Policy Compliance: Effective enforcement of salt iodization at national and subnational levels

• Child Development: Improved growth, cognitive function, and nutritional status among children

Conclusion

This nutrition initiative represents a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to tackling malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in the Philippines. By strengthening health and agriculture workforce capacity, promoting diet diversity, and enforcing iodization standards, the program aims to enhance child nutrition, cognitive development, and long-term human capital, ensuring a healthier, more productive future for the nation’s children.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.