Due to its aggressive breastfeeding awareness campaign, the municipal government of Binangonan received two awards from the Department of Health (DOH).
Mayor Cesar Ynares said the initiative of the municipal government in its awareness campaign on breastfeeding has finally paid off as the local government received the awards from the DOH Center For Health Development – CALABARZON.
Binangonan received the Breastfeeding Champion Award and the Certificate of Recognition for Being the LGU with Highest Number of Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace for Public Sector from August 2023 to August 2024 during the awarding ceremony at the 2nd Regional Mother-Baby Friendly Calabarzon Stakeholders Forum held in a Makati hotel on August 28.
The awards were given as the country observes the Breastfeeding Month.
Binangonan highlighted the month with the establishment of several breastfeeding stations, also referred to as lactation rooms or breastfeeding corners, in some health centers, barangays and selected private establishments in the municipality.
Municipal Administrator Russel Ynares said the recent recognition from the DOH was the result of the concerted efforts of the medical team of the municipal government led by the mayor’s wife, Dr. Rose Martha Callanta-Ynares; and Dr. Lito Dela Cuesta; the nurses, midwives, and Barangay Health Workers from the barangays.
The administrator said the support from the Barkadahan ng Kababaihan sa Binangonan (BKB), the private sectors, the breastfeeding mothers, and the local officials, the mayor and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan including Councilor Dr. Fidelito C. Cenidoza and Councilor Ma. Cristina E. Cerda were also instrumental in making the advocacy of the local government on breastfeeding became known and recognized by the government’s health authorities.
The Breastfeeding Month was observed in the municipality through the health awareness drive centering on the benefits of breastfeeding on mothers and their babies.
Breastfeeding centers were established in some private establishments, and barangay health centers, and barangay offices in the municipality.
Some of the breastfeeding centers are at Ella Ville Resort and Child Jesus of Prague School for private establishments and institutions; and health centers in the barangays such as Rural Health Units, Barangay Pantok Health Center; and health centers in Libid, Lunsad, Pilapila, Ithan, Tayuman, Pag-asa, Calumpang, Macamot, Gulod, and Tatala.
Each breastfeeding center has rooms with chairs and beds -- all in pink color, and a refrigerator exclusively for breastmilk storage.
(photos from Binangonan Municipal Government's Facebook pages)