The Negros Occidental provincial government is expanding its community-based nutrition program (CBNP) to Cauayan town to address high incidence of malnutrition among young children in the southern Negros locality.

Some 16 of the town’s 25 villages got a total of PHP4.3-million financial assistance for the implementation of the program starting next month.

In a statement on Thursday, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the CBNP aims to provide the development stage nutritional requirements of children to avoid the adverse and irreversible effects of malnutrition.

“The administration of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer looks forward to more healthy communities in the whole province through an improved nutrition program,” he added.

The barangay-based nutrition initiative involves a three-month feeding program to fight malnutrition among children in Barangays Tuyom, Lumbia, Sura, Tambad, Mambugsay, Caliling, Linaon, Talacdan, Camindangan, Inayawan, Poblacion, Tiling, Man-uling, Camalanda-an, Abaca, and Molobolo.

Provincial Health Office data earlier showed 20 percent stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) among children in certain local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental.

Cauayan is the third LGU to benefit from the province’s nutrition program, after Don Salvador Benedicto and Calatrava towns last year. (PNA)