BOHOL is equated to the world-renowned Chocolate Hills – those giant molehills that some also say are like women's breasts. The northern coastal town of Inabanga has none, but it has made its mark as well by landing on the country's nutrition map. This after Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy, his mother, former mayor and now Board Member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy and the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) steered the town to great heights by besting other local government units (LGUs) nationwide in terms of reducing incidences of malnutrition, earning in the process the Nutrition Honor Award – the highest the country gives – and conferred by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in rites held November 7 at the Manila Hotel.

The award came with a cash prize of P250,000 which Jumamoy said will go to the implementation of more nutrition projects. Inabanga reduced by almost half the malnutrion rate among preschool and school children from 11% in 2004 to 5.3% in 2006; and from 8.2% in 2004 to 4.7% in 2006, respectively. Barangays Lutao, Datag, Dait Sur, Poblacion, Banahao, Tambooc, Cagayan and Canlinte registered zero malnutrition in 2006. The town also prides itself for its zero over nutrition rate for both preschool and school children during the last three years. The success of Inabanga's nutrition program was the result of the collaborative efforts and support of the MNC members, their counterparts from the 50 Barangay Nutrition Committees, and their partners from non-government organizations and the private sector.

The Food and Nutrition Action Plan (FNAP) served as the framework for nutrition improvement. By implementing complementary projects such as the Inabanga Nagkaisa, Kilos Laban sa Malnutrition (INA KASAMA), Coastal Resource Management and Poverty Reduction, the local government was able to set in place an environment conducive for effective nutrition program implementation. Launched in 2005, the INA KASAMA project delivered integrated nutrition services such as supplementary feeding with regular growth monitoring, Vitamin A and iron supplementation, as well as free dental and medical services for underweight children. Public awareness on nutrition was increased through the Pabasa sa Nutrition. The project includes skills training and income-generating activities for parents with undernourished children in barangays with the highest prevalence of malnutrition. Funding support was derived from the contributions of the municipal, barangay and private sectors.

The coastal resource management program provided fisher folk with essential skills and funds for sustainable livelihood assistance. The project sustained the food security component of Inabanga's FNAP. Families in coastal areas were participants in oyster culture, Eucheuma (seaweed) culture, mud crab fattening and installation of fishing apparatus. Meanwhile, underprivileged and nutritionally at-risk families living in upland barangays were priority participants in cattle/swine dispersal, poultry production and loom- and amakan weaving. Fifty barangay nutrition centers were maintained as catchments areas for nutrition service delivery. These centers were managed by barangay nutrition and health workers whose skills were enhanced through regular trainings and monitoring. Visitors to the barangay nutrition centers are bombarded with colorful displays of informative wall charts, flipcharts, posters, leaflets and brochures on nutrition, health and agriculture. By attaining the NHA this year, Inabanga has proven that a dynamic leadership, a united vision and concerted community efforts all add up to make virtual mountains out of inexistent hills.