MANILA — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has raised concern over new government data showing that the country’s stunting rate among children under five has risen to 25.3 percent, marking the first increase in a decade.

The figure, based on the 2025 Updating Survey Results released by the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), is equivalent to about one in every four children. It reflects a 1.7 percent increase from 2023 levels and is the first recorded rise since 2015.

EDCOM 2 described the situation as a “high public health concern,” stressing that malnutrition in early childhood has long-term effects on cognitive development and learning outcomes. The Commission said its studies show that nutritional deficiencies in early life significantly affect literacy, numeracy, and school readiness.

The 2025 survey was conducted from April 23, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and covered 91.5 percent of targeted households across 118 provinces and highly urbanized cities.

The results also highlight regional and rural-urban disparities. Stunting prevalence is higher in rural areas at 27.8 percent compared to 23.2 percent in urban areas. The highest rates were recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (36.0 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (34.6 percent), Negros Island Region (30.9 percent), and MIMAROPA (30.3 percent).

Beyond early childhood, the report showed that malnutrition persists across age groups. Stunting affects 18.9 percent of children aged 5 to 10 years and 21.4 percent of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. It also found that 18.6 percent of school-age children are underweight, with rates exceeding 24 percent in several regions, including BARMM, Zamboanga Peninsula, MIMAROPA, and the Bicol Region.

The survey further identified widespread food insecurity, with 32.6 percent of individuals experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. To cope, 64.9 percent of affected households reportedly buy food on credit, particularly from sari-sari stores, while 68.6 percent rely on loans from relatives.

It also found that 16.7 percent of pregnant women are nutritionally at risk, a condition linked to higher chances of pregnancy complications and low-birth-weight infants. Among pregnant adolescents under 20, the risk rises to 40.0 percent.

“The increase in stunting after a decade of decline should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We cannot remediate in Grade 3 what was neglected in the first three years of life. If we are serious about solving the learning crisis, we must start by solving the nutrition crisis,” said EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo, as a principal author of House Bill No. 9466 amending the Masustansyang Pagkain Para Sa Batang Pilipino Act.

EDCOM 2 emphasized that education reforms cannot succeed without addressing child malnutrition, saying that learners must not arrive in school hungry or undernourished if they are to reach their full developmental potential.

The Commission called for stronger coordination among agencies involved in nutrition, health, education, social protection, and local government units, along with increased investment in maternal health, early childhood development, and food security.

As the country continues efforts to address learning gaps, EDCOM 2 said tackling malnutrition should be treated not only as a health priority but also as a core education reform issue.