Overview of the TWG
Optimal nutrition is key to improving learning outcomes. In response to the learning crisis highlighted in the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Report, the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Nutrition and Nutritional Needs was established in May 2024 to advance concrete, practical solutions through nutrition education.
Composed of organizations and representatives from the academe, the TWG works collaboratively to strengthen awareness and build capacity on the critical role of nutrition in education. By integrating nutrition into learning environments, the group aims to support healthier students who are better prepared to learn, perform, and thrive. In 2025, implementation efforts were carried out through two (2) key initiatives: SULONG sa KINABUKASAN and SULONG x DUNONG. Both initiatives generally seek to:
a) Develop culturally appropriate, evidence-based information and education, and communication (IEC) materials;
b) Increase the proportion of parents and caregivers demonstrating adequate knowledge on topics covered in the IEC materials; and
c) Provide evidence on the relevance, acceptability, and usability of the IEC materials for community settings.
Under the leadership of the immediate past College of Home Economics Dean Shirley V. Guevarra, a series of nutrition education seminars was conducted from October to December 2025 in four key areas: Laguna, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, and Basilan. These seminars brought together educators and stakeholders to discuss practical strategies in promoting nutrition knowledge and healthier food environments within schools and communities. Faculty members of the UP Diliman TWG Core team were Prof. Cecile Leah T. Bayaga, RND, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Myrna Benita Z. Luna, PFT, PhD. Asst. Prof. Cecile Klaudine C. Cabigas, RND, MSc, and Asst. Prof. Maria Carmela C. Taob, RND, MSN. Core team members from UP Los Banos Institute of Human Nutrition and Food were Prof. Liezl M. Atienza, RND, PhD, Asst. Prof. Paul Alteo A. Bagabaldo, Asst. Prof. Ann C. Cayetano, RND, MSc, Asst. Prof. Ana Loraine D. dela Vega, RND, PhD, and Asst. Prof. Von Ryan M. Ebron, PFT, MM, RND, MSc, and from UP Manila College of Public Health Assoc. Prof. Kim Leonard G. Dela Luna, RND, PhD.
TWG Core Members from UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, and the Zuellig Foundation
Overview of Sulong sa Kinabukasan
The first 1,000 days of life are critical in shaping a child’s future and the nation’s. The Sulong sa Kinabukasan is a flagship initiative of the Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), grounded in the understanding that child nutrition and learning outcomes are deeply interconnected. The initiative seeks to help address the country’s learning crisis by strengthening early childhood nutrition and care.
Aligned with Priority Area 1 of EDCOM II on early childhood nutrition, the project focuses on developing and disseminating Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to promote proper Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF). Central to the initiative is the recognition of the vital role of parents and caregivers of children aged 0–2 years in ensuring safe, adequate, and nutritious feeding practices during the most critical growth and development period.
The development of the IYCF modules was spearheaded by faculty members from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Home Economics, headed by former CHE Dean Shirley V. Guevarra, Prof. Cecile Leah T. Bayaga, Assoc. Prof. Myrna Benita Z. Luna, Asst. Prof. Cecile Klaudine C. Cabigas, Asst. Prof. Maria Carmela C. Taob, Asst. Prof. Fidel Mar Sebastian, and Ms. Irene F. Dagami, with the support of project staff Ms. Jorgen Arellano, RND.
These modules have been utilized in nutrition education sessions conducted in Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, and Basilan, equipping parents, caregivers, and communities with knowledge that supports healthier beginnings for Filipino children. The module developers also served as resource speakers with the additional support from Mr. Adrial Paul H. Basilio, RND, MSCA of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition.
CHE Faculty members implementing the developed IYCF modules in Poponto, Pangasinan, Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and Isabela, Basilan. The modules contain topics on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, food safety in preparing complementary food, and preparation of age-appropriate complementary food.
Sulong sa Kinabukasan x Dunong Collaboration
Sulong x Dunong Initiative is primarily focused on the conduct of capacity building through the delivery of modules on (1) Food Safety and (2) Meal Preparation for caregivers and teachers in public elementary schools in Laguna. The modules were developed by the faculty of UP Los Banos Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (IHNF), led by Dr. Liezl Atienza, RND, PhD, under the Dunong program. The resource speakers from UP Los Banos, UP Diliman, and UP Manila discussed the modules with the parents and caregivers to equip them with nutrition-related knowledge and skills that support the shared goal of fostering healthier bodies and better learning outcomes for children. Resource speakers for the different modules were team members from UP Los Banos IHNF, including Asst. Prof. Von Ryan Ebron, Asst. Prof. Diana Agcaoili, Asst. Prof. Deborah Christine De Leon, Asst. Prof. Paul Bagabaldo, Asst. Prof. Gemaima Evangelista, Asst. Prof. Mark Basilio Estudillo, Asst. Prof. Kristine Marie Esparas, Asst. Prof. Nica Marie Arganosa, Asst. Prof. Pamela Aclan, and Mr. King Philip Alcantara; team members from UP Diliman led by former College of Home Economics (CHE) Dean Shirley Guevarra, together with Dr. Myrna Luna, Asst. Prof. Jethro Belano, and College of Home Economics staff Ms. Ronalyn Tamayo, RND, Ms. Camille Besares; project staff Ms. Jorgen Arellano, RND, and volunteer BS Community Nutrition alumni Ms. Leila Dy, RND, and Mr. Wendell Tabang, RND. They were also joined by UP Manila College of Public Health faculty, Assoc. Prof. Kim Leonard G. dela Luna, RND, PhD.
Collaborative implementation of developed modules on meal management and food safety preparation for parents and caregivers of Grades 1-3 in various elementary schools in Laguna by faculty members and volunteers from UP Diliman, UP Manila, and UP Los Baños.
TWG Progress Report for Year 1
A meeting was held on July 14, 2026, to review the Year 1 accomplishments of the EDCOMM II TWG and discuss priorities for sustaining its initiatives. The meeting was attended by the core TWG members from UP Diliman and UP Los Baños IHNF, as well as the EDCOM II Communications and Advocacy Head, Mr. Luigi Conti. Aside from the TWG’s accomplishments under the SULONG-DUNONG 2025 initiative, discussions also focused on strengthening school food service systems by addressing the shortage of Registered Nutritionist-Dietitians and enhancing the quality of school-based nutrition programs. The group also discussed the Department of Education’s shift to centralized feeding kitchens, emphasizing the need for appropriate food safety measures and context-specific implementation, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Meanwhile, policy discussions highlighted the need to create plantilla positions and improve salary grades for RNDs to strengthen the nutrition workforce. The meeting concluded with plans to expand Year 1 initiatives by collaborating with LGUs, conducting Training of Trainers activities, and developing a “First 2,000 Days” module for Year 2.
CHE-UPD representatives: Dr. Shirley V. Guevarra, Dr. Cecile T. Bayaga, Dr. Myrna Benita Z. Luna, Asst. Prof. Cecile Klaudine Cabigas, Asst. Prof. Maria Carmela C. Taob, and Ms. Irene F. Dagami; IHNF-UPLB representatives Dr. Liezl Atienza, Asst. Prof. Anne Cayetano, and Asst. Prof. Paul Bagabaldo; and EDCOMM II Communications and Advocacy Head Mr. Luigi Conti at the College of Home Economics Tearoom.
Through initiatives like “Sulong sa Kinabukasan and Dunong Program,” the University of the Philippines continues to harness research, expertise, and public service to address urgent national challenges, helping ensure that every Filipino child is nourished, supported, and ready to learn.
Prepared by Asst. Prof. Maria Carmela Taob