'No nature, no food': What this year’s Nutrition Month subtheme means

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A healthy environment is just as important as healthy eating in the fight against malnutrition.

That is the message behind this year’s Nutrition Month subtheme, “Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan,” which emphasizes that protecting nature is essential to keeping nutritious food available for every Filipino.

During the launch of this year’s Nutrition Month celebration on July 5, National Nutrition Council (NNC) Central Visayas Regional Coordinator Dr. Niño Archie Labordo explained why caring for the environment is also an investment in the country’s food supply.

“Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng masustansyang pagkain without nourishing our environment (We cannot have nutritious food without nourishing our environment),” Labordo said.

Healthy ecosystems, healthier diets

Labordo said nutritious diets depend on more than the food people choose to eat. They also rely on healthy ecosystems and protected natural resources.

When these natural systems deteriorate, food production becomes more difficult. Pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change can reduce harvests, affect fisheries, and limit the supply of fresh and nutritious food.

READ: FACES OF CEBU: Shaira Labastida-Alatraca, city nutritionist, health warrior

The NNC said this issue is especially relevant in the Philippines, where many communities depend on farming and fishing for both their livelihoods and daily meals.

Citing an article by World Vision International, the Council said climate-related disruptions can reduce the availability of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fish.

As supply becomes less stable, the risk of malnutrition increases, particularly among children, pregnant women, and low-income families.

Labordo said the country’s growing population also places greater pressure on food production.

“There is an increasing population, but there are limited [food] products. There is great demand, but there is low production. So there will be malnutrition,” he said.

READ: Nutrition Month: Lorega tops Cebu City’s child malnutrition list

He added that safeguarding natural resources means protecting the country’s ability to produce enough nutritious food for future generations.

Food production also affects nature

The relationship works both ways.

While the environment provides the resources needed to produce food, food systems can also contribute to environmental problems.

The NNC, referencing UN-Nutrition, said activities involved in producing, processing, transporting, and consuming food account for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Unsustainable farming practices, excessive food waste, and resource-intensive food production also put increasing pressure on land, water, and biodiversity. Over time, these impacts weaken the very ecosystems that sustain food production.

READ: Malnutrition rate in Central Visayas drops in 2024

To address this, the NNC said nutrition efforts should also support environmental sustainability.

Among the approaches it promotes are climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable fisheries, diversified crop production, and choosing locally produced and seasonal food whenever possible.

Food security goes beyond production

Labordo said producing enough food is only part of the challenge. Families must also be able to afford nutritious meals.

He noted that rising food prices remain a major concern because many households may struggle to buy healthier food despite its availability.

“Unsaon man kung taas ang presyo pero di siya affordable sa atong pamilya? Dili gihapon na maka-hit sa required [nga nutrition] sa atong families,” Labordo said.

(What happens if prices are high and families can’t afford them? Families still won’t be able to meet their nutritional requirements.)

READ: Championing nutrition for kids

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that food inflation in Central Visayas slowed to 15.1 percent in June 2026 from 16.2 percent in May. However, it remained higher than the -2.3 percent recorded in June 2025.

This showed that although food inflation had eased, prices remain elevated enough to strain household budgets and make nutritious food less accessible to many families.

To help improve long-term food security, the NNC is encouraging Filipinos to make practical changes in their daily lives. These include reducing food waste, growing food through home or community gardens, and buying from local farmers whenever possible.

The Council is also calling on schools, government agencies, businesses, and communities to support policies and programs that promote sustainable food systems and climate-responsive nutrition.

Why Nutrition Month matters

Nutrition Month is observed every July under Presidential Decree No. 491, or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines.

The law declared nutrition a national development priority and created the National Nutrition Council to coordinate nutrition programs across the country.

Since 2024, the NNC has carried the overall campaign theme, “Sa PPAN, Sama-Sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” while introducing a different subtheme each year.

The campaign supports the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028 by encouraging greater public awareness and participation from communities, schools, government agencies, and the private sector.

For the NNC, this year’s subtheme serves as a reminder that protecting the environment is also a way of protecting the country’s food supply — and ultimately, the health of every Filipino.

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