Across the mountainous terrain of twenty-three (23) barangays in Malinao, a call to serve the families facing nutrition challenges was answered. Despite the remote and scattered locations of the barangays, Joan Y. Malibago, a Community Health Mobilizer, bridges the program to the community.
A former housewife, who spent years caring for her family, Joan has stepped forward to serve the community. It all started when a Nurse friend recommended that her skills and abilities were a good fit for the role. She thought to herself, “try natin, wala namang mawawala”, and with that, her journey began. Being naturally shy, she found it challenging. Working and interacting with the community was new to her. But when she saw the calling and the needs of the communities, with the spirit of service, she walked to every barangay household to call for action and serve the needs of the communities.
Her role as a Community Mobilizer at Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) began last March 2025 for the project, “Food Supplementation and Capacity Building for Improved Nutrition in Malinao, Aklan”, funded by Glenmark Philippines. At first, everything felt new and overwhelming. She initially thought her role would focus mostly on administrative work, but she soon realized it required much more. It included being out in the field, visiting households, working closely with the community, and ensuring that the project’s objectives were met. For someone who stayed mostly at home, the world she had to navigate suddenly became much bigger. What was once her family to care for now included the entire barangay of Malinao. Engaging with Community Health Workers and families, coordinating with the Local Government Unit, the Rural Health Unit, Barangay Officials, and the Municipal Agriculture office, and visiting households and nutrition gardens were all new to her.
Providing Nurishment, One Meal at a Time
Her role was multifaceted, as the project consisted of three (3) components, each with its own challenges. For dietary supplementation, she was responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of meal commodities and making sure they were consumed as intended.
“Yung una ay medyo challenging din kasi kung paano natin sila i-encourage na kumain. Kasi mayroon din kasing ibang mga bata na mapili sa pagkain, pero patuloy pa rin nating in-encourage yung mga parents kung paano ang kahalagahan ng pagpapakain ng masustansyang pagkain sa ating mga anak.” (At first, it was challenging to encourage them to eat. Some children are picky eaters, but we kept encouraging the parents, explaining the importance of feeding their children nutritious foods.)
“Noong una rin ay medyo mahirap din kasi hindi naman lahat ng tao ay pwede nating ma-please. Pero unti-unti, habang tumatagal, nagiging happy din tayo kasi may mga naririnig din tayo sa mga parents na nangugustuhan din nila yung mga ibinibigay na dietary supplementation.” (At first, it was also a bit difficult because you can’t please everyone. But little by little, over time, it became rewarding, especially when we heard from parents that they appreciated the dietary supplements we’re providing.) These small successes motivated her to continue, reinforcing the importance of consistent guidance and encouragement in improving household nutrition.
A Commitment and Passion for Work
Ms. Joan endorses forms for Malinao’s Barangay Nutrition Scholars during Dietary Supplementation distribution.
Part of her role is to coordinate with the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) across the twenty-three (23) barangays to collect data on the beneficiaries’ height and weight. The distance between residences within the barangays makes the task more challenging, as communication is often difficult in areas with weak to no signal. Because of this, she frequently has to travel to the barangays just to speak with the BNS.
“Natutunan ko na may mga pagsubok tulad ng kahirapan sa pagkuha ng mga data ng mga beneficiaries at dokumentasyon, ngunit sa [ang] pagiging flexible at resourceful ay mahalagang kakayahan upang malampasan ang mga ito.” (I have learned that there are challenges, such as difficulties in collecting data from beneficiaries and documentation.
However, being flexible and resourceful is an important skill to overcome these challenges.) Her words reflect not only the obstacles she encountered but also the resilience that guided her through them. Despite the inconvenience, she remained patient and committed, knowing that proper coordination was essential to the program’s success.
Walking with Families
While dietary supplementation addressed immediate nutrition needs, she also guided the families in starting and maintaining nutrition gardens to ensure long-term food security. She conducted training sessions on proper cultivation techniques, coordinated with the Municipal Agriculture Office to source seeds for the beneficiaries, and sought guidance on the sustainability of the gardens. She distributed gardening tools and educational materials to reinforce the importance of growing nutritious foods at home. The path was not always smooth. Heavy rains damaged young plants, and some households struggled to maintain their gardens due to limited space. But she remained patient; she made sure to replenish seeds and provide additional guidance so families could start again.
“Kapag in-encourage natin yung mga beneficiaries natin na magtanim ng mga masustansyang pagkain, mayroon din silang mapagkukunan at ma-sustain ‘yung suplay nila sa pagkain, kasi ang project natin is for one (1) year lang. After ng dietary supplementation, mayroon pa rin tayong maitutulong after ng project. Patuloy pa rin silang magtanim ng masustansyang pagkain para dagdag din sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pagkain.” (When we encourage our beneficiaries to grow nutritious foods, they gain a source they can sustain on their own, since the project lasts only one year. Even after the dietary supplementation ends, we can still help by guiding them to continue planting, so it can supplement their daily meals.) Through her persistence, the gardens began to thrive, and families were able to harvest produce.
Towards Long-Term Goals
Her role came full circle with Capacity Building. She participated in the training on Safe Motherhood, First 1,000 days, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), enabling her to provide more well-rounded guidance. Being a mother and with a background in nursing, she strengthened not only her knowledge but also her confidence. She helped organize sessions, assisted the trainers, and interacted closely with participants, playing a meaningful role in empowering community health workers to continue promoting healthy practices even beyond the project.
“Na-develop at na-rerefresh yung kaalaman ko na, kumbaga, lumawak yung kaisipan lalo sa community. […] Na-experience ko kung paano makihalubilo sa komunidad.” (My knowledge was developed and refreshed, so to speak, and my perspective, especially about the community, broadened. […] I experienced firsthand how to interact and engage with the community.) What began as knowledge gained in training soon became confidence that carried her into her new role.
From a shy housewife uncertain of what role would be demanded of her, she has grown into a confident community mobilizer, walking across twenty-three barangays with purpose. The responsibility that once felt overwhelming is now a mission she carries with pride.
“Malaki ang naitulong nito sa pagbabago ng aking sarili. Natutunan kong maging pasensyosa, mas maunawain at maging responsable. Natuto akong makibagay sa iba’t ibang uri ng tao at sitwasyon. Kaya malaking pasasalamat ko sa Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) at Glenmark Philippines dahil naging bahagi ako ng proyektong dito sa Malinao at nakatulong ako sa mga tao sa aming komunidad.” (This experience contributed to my personal growth. I learned to be more patient, more understanding, and more responsible. I also learned to adapt to different kinds of people and situations. I am truly grateful to Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) and Glenmark Philippines for making me part of this project here in Malinao and for allowing me to serve and help people in our community.)
Behind the confidence she now carries lies a humble beginning, sparked by a friend’s word. What started as a simple recommendation from a friend became a mission that strengthened families, empowered mothers, and improved nutrition practices across the barangays of Malinao. From a simple phrase, “try natin, wala namang mawawala”, turned into a source of courage, and the willingness to serve created a lasting change not only in the community, but within oneself.
Written by: Patrizia Elise P. Kahanding, RND, LPT
