Three barangays in Pasig City have implemented initiatives and offered free services to pregnant women and mothers in celebration of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August.
The breastfeeding program in Barangay San Antonio (BSA) encompasses many aspects such as the establishment of a milk depot, wherein breast milk can be collected from volunteer mothers within communities; a Breast Milk Express Corner that uses medical-grade breast pumps; and a "Gatas ni Mommy, Ayuda for Family" program that gives 10 kilos of rice for every 100 ounces of donated breast milk.
BSA also offers "Mooma Bags" to eligible beneficiaries. This is a package that includes free services such as consultation with a lactation specialist, infant immunization for babies aged zero to 18 months old, massage for infants, and postpartum or postnatal massage for mothers.
Meanwhile, an advocacy forum on the "First 1,000 Days" of babies was held in Barangay Kalawaan. Led by the Pasig City Nutrition Committee (PCNC), the forum aimed to inform and educate women and mothers on concerns pertaining to pregnancy, breastfeeding, family planning, and the proper nutritional diet for babies six months to two years-old. Around 25 nutritionally-at-risk women and mothers attended the forum.
Moreover, Barangay Dela Paz shared their breast milk allocation program under the Barangay Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget, facilitated by the Barangay Nutrition Committee (BNC).
Each of the two health centers in the barangay have breast milk collection and storage depots, complete with hospital-grade breast pumps and equipment.
As of July 31, the health centers have collected around 200 bags of breast milk, which were distributed to mothers who need milk for their newborn babies.
The PCNC also continues to partner with barangays in its supplemental feeding programs for nutritionally-at-risk pregnant and lactating women. The program is ongoing, particularly in Barangays Oranbo (10 beneficiaries), Sagad, and San Jose (10).
Training for Community Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Peer Counselors was also participated by at least 50 participants from the city's 30 barangays. The actitivites aimed to intensify the programs of the PCNC and generate more effective outcomes for helping and guiding beneficiaries of the IYCF program.
National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is celebrated annually every August in accordance with Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10028 or the "Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009."
The Department of Health (DOH) encourages breastfeeding among the public, citing its benefits for the infant, mother, and the family, using the acronym "TSEK," pertaining to "Tama, Sapat, at Eksklusibo," as nutrition for infants within their first six months of life.
"The World Health Assembly has set a target to increase exclusive Breastfeeding to at least 50 percent by 2025. The average Breastfeeding prevalence rate of the Philippines from the 2018 to 2021 meets the said target," said Professor Dr. Cecile Bayaga, RND, PhD from the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD) in a statement.
"Collaborative efforts must be in place to ensure the rate continuously increases. Investment in nutrition means investment for the population who later on will help develop our nation" she added.