ILOILO CITY — More than 8,000 pregnant women and children received vital nutrition support during Mayor Raisa Treñas’ first year in office, as two flagship programs—I‑SUSTANSYA and LUSOG‑LIIT—tackled malnutrition across the city. The initiatives mark a significant investment in the health of Iloilo’s youngest and most vulnerable residents.
A Dual Front Against Malnutrition
I‑SUSTANSYA, launched in September 2025, addresses food insecurity by delivering micronutrient supplements to expectant mothers and nutritious meals to undernourished children. To date, 3,667 pregnant women have received the support needed to carry healthy pregnancies to term. Another 4,803 children have been fed through the program, many with the locally produced Rice‑Mongo‑Sesame Blend.
Running alongside it, LUSOG‑LIIT focuses on the earliest years of life. The program serves hot, vitamin‑rich meals to children under three who are enrolled in Child Development Centers and Infant‑Toddler Early Development programs. In its first year, LUSOG‑LIIT conducted 850 feeding sessions, regularly nourishing 3,131 toddlers.
A Homegrown Nutrition Factory
Both programs are anchored by the Iloilo City Nutrition Center, the country’s first LGU‑operated facility dedicated to manufacturing nutrient‑dense food supplements. Located in City Proper and operational since September 2025, the center produces 1,282 sachets of Rice‑Mongo‑Sesame Blend daily, with a 20‑percent buffer for newly identified cases.
The facility also churns out enhanced Nutribuns, ensuring a steady supply of complementary food for the city’s feeding programs. By controlling production locally, Iloilo ensures quality, reduces costs, and can rapidly scale up when needed. The center currently serves 534 severely underweight or wasted children each day.
Proof in the Numbers
Sustained investment has already moved the needle on child health. Among nearly 38,000 preschoolers monitored, stunting fell from 2.0 percent in 2024 to 1.4 percent in 2025. Wasting dropped from 0.6 percent to 0.4 percent, while overweight and obesity decreased from 1.4 percent to 1.1 percent.
These gains reflect a comprehensive strategy that begins with maternal health and extends through early childhood. The city’s nutrition teams, backed by Barangay Nutrition Scholars, continue to identify at‑risk children and ensure no family is left behind. The numbers represent real children given a healthier start to life.
A Foundation for the Future
Mayor Treñas’ administration views nutrition as the cornerstone of a productive, resilient community. The success of I‑SUSTANSYA and LUSOG‑LIIT demonstrates that targeted, evidence‑based interventions can reverse malnutrition trends. The city aims to expand these programs further, reaching even more families in the coming years.
Iloilo’s approach—combining local production, community health workers, and strong political will—offers a replicable model for other urban centers. For the 8,000 mothers and children already served, the programs are more than statistics; they are lifelines to a brighter, healthier future.
