The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is expanding its efforts to fight child malnutrition in Basilan, the first province under its LIFE (LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment) program. The initiative launched two key projects: the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Central Kitchen in Isabela City and a water system development project in Tipo-Tipo.
Chronic and acute malnutrition, specifically stunting and wasting, are significant issues in the Philippines. According to a 2023 National Nutrition Survey, 23.6% of children under five were stunted, and 5.6% suffered from severe undernutrition. The LIFE program provides a unified approach to combat these conditions province-by-province.
The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) spearheaded the BLT Community Kitchen, which will act as a central hub for feeding programs targeting children, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. The kitchen, which was inaugurated on June 26, is designed to provide nutritious, culturally appropriate, and Muslim-friendly meals.
The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) served as the on-the-ground anchor, liaising with the provincial government. This kitchen is one of 37 nationwide and its integration into the LIFE program’s Basilan rollout will pave the way for replication in other underserved areas.
The Manila Water Foundation (MWF) led the water system development project, Project Bohè, in Tipo-Tipo, which will deliver 350,000 liters of clean, potable water daily to Barangay Bohelebung. Clean water access is a vital component of nutrition-sensitive programs, especially in areas that are geographically isolated or conflict-affected. The project is a collaboration with the Local Government of Tipo-Tipo, and was co-funded by the Metrobank Foundation and implemented in partnership with ZFF. To ensure long-term sustainability, MWF organized and trained a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Group of local leaders to operate and maintain the system.
Over the next two years, the LIFE program has several planned projects in Basilan, including distributing tools to monitor child growth and expanding its network of partners. The initiative proves that corporate foundations, public, and nonprofit partners can unite to make the mission of tackling child malnutrition achievable
