Stunting remains a major public health and economic challenge in the Philippines, affecting 25.3% of children under five and costing the country an estimated USD$ 8.1 billion annually. It undermines children’s physical growth and cognitive development, with lifelong consequences constraining national productivity and economic growth.
In the Ilocos region of Philippines, the prevalence of stunting stood at 26.8% in 2025. Pangasinan province — home to the largest population of children under five and a priority province under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028 — remains a key area in this region for targeted nutrition interventions. Meanwhile, in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), stunting prevalence stood at 28.2% in 2025, with the Mountain Province facing a heavy burden of 35%,1 exacerbated by high poverty incidence of 10.5% and elevated food insecurity. Both provinces are also highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks, underscoring the need for integrated climate-resilient interventions.
