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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Camille Villar pushes for dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay

Camille Villar pushes for dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay

By MBrand
Published Aug 31, 2025 02:11 pm
Senator Camille Villar poses with a mother and her children
Senator Camille Villar poses with a mother and her children
Senator Camille Villar is advocating the establishment of dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay nationwide to ensure proper nutrition for infants and provide stronger support for mothers.
Villar filed the “Barangay Breastfeeding Centers Act,” which mandates the creation of breastfeeding hubs that will offer free guidance, access to breastfeeding materials, and information campaigns highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding. Under the bill, barangay health workers will also undergo regular training to improve services for mothers and their children.
“Breast milk is the ideal food for babies—it provides complete nutrition, boosts immunity, and even supports mothers’ mental health by lowering the risks of postpartum depression,” Villar said. “But many Filipino families still face barriers to breastfeeding. By setting up dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay, we can improve child survival, ease the financial burden on parents, and build healthier communities.”
As the youngest senator in the 20th Congress, Villar emphasized her advocacy as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and as a member of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. She stressed that maternal and child health must be a top priority of government.
Senator Camille Villar
Senator Camille Villar
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) show that only 34 percent of Filipino infants under six months are exclusively breastfed—far below the global target of at least 50 percent. Research further shows that breastfeeding can prevent child deaths from diarrhea and pneumonia, while mothers who breastfeed face a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
The bill also aims to strengthen the implementation of the Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.
“As we mark National Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August, let us remember that supporting breastfeeding mothers is not just a personal choice but a shared community responsibility,” Villar added.

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