From Awareness to Action: The Growing Movement for Folic Acid Fortification in the Philippines

Our folic acid fortification advocacy in the Philippines began with a shared vision of preventing Neural Tube Defects, including Spina Bifida, and ensuring healthier futures for Filipino children and families. What started as conversations among families, health professionals, advocates, and persons with Spina Bifida slowly grew into a nationwide movement grounded in awareness, prevention, and collective action.

Through the years, we recognized that many families continue to face the lifelong challenges brought by preventable birth defects, and that access to folic acid awareness and supplementation remains limited for many women, especially before pregnancy. This strengthened our call for sustainable and inclusive solutions such as folic acid food fortification.

As the advocacy grew, many organizations and institutions joined the movement, united by the belief that prevention is possible and that every child deserves a healthier beginning.

Our folic acid fortification advocacy in the Philippines has grown through the support of medical societies, nutrition experts, youth leaders, academic institutions, and community organizations who share one vision — preventing Neural Tube Defects and promoting healthier futures for Filipino children and families.

We are deeply grateful for the support and collaboration of the following organizations and partners:

Nutrition Advocates and Professional

• Philippine Nutrition Association, Inc.

Medical and Professional Organizations

• Pediatric Nephrology Society of the Philippines

• Philippine Society of Pediatric Urology

• Philippine Pediatric Society

• Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons

• Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery

• International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery

• Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (Foundation), Inc.

Disability and Inclusion Advocates

• InkluNasyon

Youth and Health Advocacy Partners

• Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLH) – Philippines #FolicAcidPH

University-Based Youth Organizations

• Alliance of Nationalist Doctors – Bicol University College of Medicine

• Asian Medical Students’ Association – St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine

• Cavite State University – The Asclepian Society

• Microbia – West Visayas State University

• Palawan State University School of Medicine Student Council

• Philippine Association of Nutrition – Alpha Chapter (UP Diliman)

• Philippine Association of Nutrition – Alpha Omega Chapter (UP Los Baños)

• Philippine Association of Nutrition – Beta Zeta Chapter (Benguet State University)

• Silliman University Student Government Health Committee

• Pre-Medical Society of the Ateneo – Senior High School (Ateneo de Manila)

• St. Anthony’s College – Nursing Department (Antique)

• St. Luke’s Medicine Student Council – St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine

• The UPLB Genetics Society – UP Los Baños

• UP Medicine Student Council – UP Manila

• VYLH Father Saturnino Urios University

Community-Based Youth Organizations

• Abra Youth Organizations Society

• Active Leaders and Peer Advocates for Greater Adolescent Health Development (Region VII)

• Association of Dynamic Medics (Metro Manila)

• Baseco Youth Cares Organization

• Cebu Coalition of Student Councils

• K4Health – VYLH Calapan City

• LeadUp Youth Alliance (Cebu)

• Rotaract Club of Padre Garcia (Batangas)

• United Young Leaders Coalition (Region VII)

• Youth Alliance for Community Care, Environmental Sensitivity, and Sustainability (Albay)

Together, these organizations strengthen the movement for #FolicAcidForAllPH by helping raise awareness, educating communities, empowering young advocates, and supporting efforts toward sustainable folic acid food fortification policies in the Philippines. This advocacy continues because of the collective commitment of people and institutions who believe that prevention saves lives and that every Filipino child deserves a healthier start.

Together, these organizations, advocates, families, healthcare professionals, and youth leaders continue to build a stronger movement for #FolicAcidForAllPH. This advocacy is more than a campaign — it is a collective commitment to prevention, education, inclusion, and hope. Through continued collaboration and awareness, we move closer to a future where fewer families experience preventable Neural Tube Defects and where every Filipino child is given the opportunity for a healthier start in life.