COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament has approved on third and final reading a measure establishing the Bangsamoro Nutrition Commission, a regional body that will lead policy-making, coordination and monitoring of food security and nutrition programs across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Parliament Bill No. 55, or the Bangsamoro Nutrition Commission Act of 2025, was unanimously approved. The measure was principally authored by Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr. and former Member of the Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil.
The bill was originally filed as the Bangsamoro Nutrition Council but later amended to establish a full commission with expanded powers.
Lawmakers said the shift was intended to strengthen the region’s capacity to address nutrition gaps and ensure stronger coordination across ministries and local governments.
Under the law, the Commission will be attached to the Office of the Chief Minister and will serve as the central policymaking and coordinating body on nutrition, health-related nutrition programs, and regional food security.
It will also lead the formulation of the Bangsamoro Plan of Action for Nutrition and the Bangsamoro Food Security and Nutrition Plan.
The Commission is expected to work closely with the National Nutrition Council to align BARMM’s policies with national standards while addressing local needs.
The 2023 National Nutrition Survey reported that 34.3 percent of Bangsamoro children under five are stunted, while many families, including children, adults and pregnant women, continue to face various forms of malnutrition.
Sinolinding said BARMM also ranks among regions with the highest prevalence of household food insecurity.
He said that the Commission will help break the cycle of malnutrition and food insecurity by ensuring sustained and science-based interventions in communities.
In the proposed 2026 regional budget, the Ministry of Health has the second-highest allocation among ministries.
Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, also a co-author of the bill, earlier identified child malnutrition as one of his administration’s top priorities. Co-authors of the bill are MPs Laisa Alamia, Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Suharto Ambolodto, Baintan Ampatuan, Rasul Ismael, Don Mustapha Loong, Rasol Mitmug Jr., and former MP Aida Silongan. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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