MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a pastoral letter warning of a “critical crisis” in child nutrition and early childhood development, echoing alarming findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) and calling for immediate, coordinated action from government, communities, and the Church.

Released during the CBCP’s 130th Plenary Assembly in Anda, Bohol, the letter—titled “Responding to the Crisis in Nutrition and Early Childhood Development”—stressed that undernutrition, stunting, and lack of early learning opportunities are undermining children’s futures and the nation’s progress.

The CBCP noted that 26.7% of Filipino children under five are stunted, one of the highest rates globally, with minimal improvement since 2000. Poor maternal nutrition, inadequate diets during the first 1,000 days, and frequent illnesses are cited as key drivers, resulting in long-term cognitive and learning deficits.

Other findings highlighted:

• Only 25% of children aged 6–12 months meet recommended energy intake.
• Early stimulation and parental engagement are low—just 21% for ages 3–4, and even less for ages 0–2.
• 5,800 barangays still lack child development centers, despite a 1990 law mandating them.
• Nearly half of Grade 1–3 students are unprepared for their grade level; 80% of Grade 3 students struggle with basic math; 30% are functionally illiterate.

The CBCP and EDCOM II are jointly calling for:

• Full funding of nutrition programs for pregnant women and children aged 0–4.
• Expanded access to early childhood education and stimulation.
• Establishment of child development centers in all barangays, prioritizing poor communities.
• Catholic institutions to intensify awareness drives, enhance feeding programs for early years, offer ECCD in parochial schools, and partner with local governments.

“The children of our nation depend on us to fix the foundations of our struggling educational system,” the letter stated. “They deserve a brighter future—and only through our immediate commitment and actions can this be realized.”

EDCOM II co-chairperson Dr. Karol Mark Yee welcomed the CBCP’s statement as a strong reinforcement of the commission’s recommendations, stressing that “we cannot afford to delay” solutions to this urgent problem.