The Rotaract Club of Makati in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati successfully implemented the maternal and child nutrition project entitled “Iron Heart: Building Strong Mothers, Building Strong Families” on March 19, 2026, at the Southville 3 Health Center in Muntinlupa City. The initiative aimed to reduce iron-deficiency anemia among women of reproductive age through health education, improved dietary support, and access to iron supplementation.
The project was developed in response to the persistent public health concern of anemia in the Philippines. Based on the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), 10.9% of non-pregnant and non-lactating women aged 15–49 are anemic, while the prevalence rises to 21.8% among pregnant women. These figures highlight the need for targeted community-based interventions, as iron deficiency during pregnancy may lead to fatigue, increased maternal health risks, and adverse birth outcomes. Through Iron Heart, the organization sought to address these concerns by promoting proper nutrition and providing accessible health services to women in underserved communities.
A total of 80 beneficiaries participated in the activity, including 54 women, 43 pregnant women and 9 women of reproductive age, and 24 children from the community. The project was made possible through the collaboration of partner organizations, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) – Cavite and the Rotary Club of Makati.
The program began with a prenatal education session conducted by Ms. Lina Magdadaro from the City Health Office of Muntinlupa. The session provided essential information on maternal care, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups, proper nutrition, and safe pregnancy practices. This was followed by free laboratory services, including complete blood count (CBC) and urinalysis, facilitated by FPOP-Cavite. These tests were conducted to detect possible infections and establish baseline red blood cell levels among the participants, with results scheduled for release on March 24, 2026.
A nutrition education session was also conducted by RND Christine Joyce R. Cuya of the Rotaract Club of Alabang Daang Hari, who introduced the Pinggang Pinoy framework and discussed its role in maintaining a balanced diet. The discussion highlighted the prevention of anemia among pregnant women through proper nutrition. Complementing this, PND Darlah Leonardo provided practical guidance on affordable and locally available food sources rich in iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A, encouraging participants to adopt healthier and sustainable dietary practices. Educational pamphlets on Pinggang Pinoy for children and for pregnant and lactating women were distributed to all participants, as well as to the Southville 3 Nutritionist, Mr. Monsour Obeja, for continued use in the community.
To further support the nutritional needs of the beneficiaries, care baskets were distributed to each participant. These included iron-fortified rice, fresh vegetables such as carrots and ampalaya, a shredded vegetable pack, munggo, and tomatoes, fruits including latundan and ponkan, as well as vitamin C supplements and ferrous sulfate with folic acid. These provisions were carefully selected to reinforce the nutrition education provided during the sessions and to help prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
While the maternal health activities were ongoing, the children of the participants and the community were engaged in a parallel learning session held at a nearby park. Led by Pres. Jover R. Acebuche, the children participated in a book reading activity featuring “Beware of the Snake.” The session aimed to educate children about personal space, safety, and boundaries, addressing the important issue of protection against sexual harassment in an age-appropriate and engaging manner.
To ensure the sustainability of the intervention, the project includes a follow-up distribution of iron-fortified rice scheduled two weeks after the initial implementation. This initiative aims to reinforce consistent iron intake among beneficiaries and sustain the positive dietary practices promoted during the activity.
Overall, the “Building Strong Mothers, Building Strong Families” framework was validated by the high turnout. Providing a parallel session for children, like the “Beware of the Snakes” storytelling, allowed mothers to focus entirely on their health education while ensuring their children gained vital safety literacy.
