The Masustansiyang Pagbubuntis, Masiglang Kamusmusan: First 1,000 Days Program (MaMa) is expanding to Basilan, beginning in the Municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, bringing critical nutrition and health support closer to mothers and children in one of the province’s high-need areas.

On August 18, 2026, twenty pregnant mothers from Hadji Mohammad Ajul participated in the MaMa Program kick-off and received antenatal care support, underwent laboratory testing, and received micronutrient supplements. They also joined their first nutrition education session, which highlighted the importance of good nutrition throughout the child’s first 1,000 days, as well as safe pregnancy practices.

The program also strengthened the local support system by orienting Barangay Nutrition Scholars and Barangay Health Workers on their roles in supporting mothers and young children throughout the program.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PBSP and the Local Government Unit of Hadji Mohammad Ajul was also signed during the kick-off, formalizing a 36-month partnership to support mothers during pregnancy and children throughout their first 1,000 days of life.

The MOA was signed by PBSP Chairperson Manolito Tayag, PBSP Executive Director Elvin Ivan Uy, Municipal Councilor and Health and Nutrition Committee Chairperson Hon. Marwan Pawaki, OIC Municipal Health Officer Al-Hussaini Saggaan, and Rural Health Physician Dr. Alemar Amdengan.

The expansion to Basilan marks another step in the Kain Tayo Pilipinas (KTP) effort to help address malnutrition and food insecurity through stronger local action, partnerships, and targeted interventions for vulnerable families. Hadji Mohammad Ajul is among the pilot areas of KTP in Basilan, where efforts are focused on reaching communities with significant nutrition and food security needs.

The MaMa Program is one of PBSP’s NextGen Initiatives and is currently being implemented in collective impact sites across Rizal, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Eastern Samar. With its expansion to Basilan, MaMa brings its integrated approach to maternal and child nutrition to more families, helping give mothers the support they need for a healthy pregnancy and giving children a stronger start in life.

For more information about Kain Tayo Pilipinas and MaMa First 1000 Days program, you may reach out to us through kaintayo@pbsp.org.ph or at pbsp@pbsp.org.ph