MOA launches lactation stations in the workplace

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City and the Mandue Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Nutrition Council-7 vis-à-vis the establishment of lactation or breastfeeding stations in workplaces throughout Mandaue City.

The MOA aims to have linkages with families, organizations and other stakeholders to give working mothers the chance to practice proper breastfeeding while at work.

The MOA was inspired by Republic Act 10028 or otherwise known as an Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary, Maria Flores said the MOA, the first of its kind in the entire Philippines is a milestone for the nutrition industry.

Flores also wishes Mandaue City to be an "effective advocate" for other local government throughout the region and the rest of the county.

She also stressed that forging ties with the private sectors is one of the thrusts of the current administration which banners "Private Public Partnership or PPP" which is evident in the MOA.

Representing the Mandaue was Mayor Jonas Cortes who said that the memorandum of agreement that they have singed will pay homage to the importance of mothers in their lives.

"The essence of this (MOA) is to have a mother-friendly community" Cortes said.

He also hopes that through the MOA, they can inspire other local government units to follow through "leadership by example."

"We all need to acknowledge that we are part of the problem and that we are also part of the solution" Cortes said.

MCCI president Eric Ng Mendoza signed the MOA and said that it's their honor to be part of this cause for proper breastfeeding practices. He also believes that this program "is good for business."

The city of Mandaue has identified a small room near their legal office to be their first breastfeeding station in the city.

City hall employees who have babies can go to the room to breastfeed their children.

Meanwhile, Mendoza advised members to follow the MOA, adding that their workforce is mostly female and that this project can enhance the productivity of the workforce.

Like the city hall, they will designate rooms for breastfeeding. Mendoza said the entire workforce could be around 50,000 to 100, 000.

DOH reports that breastfeeding ranks the most effective interventions to improve child's survival, adding that the World Health Organization estimated that optimal breastfeeding practices could avert 13% of 10.6 million deaths yearly. 

Some babies die after birth because they were not breastfed immediately. Breastfeeding should be done about 30 minutes after normal delivery and about 3 to 4 hours after being delivered by caesarian section.

NNC-7 also launched yesterday the 2011 nutrition month with the theme "Isulong ang breastfeeding - tama. Sapat, at Eksklusibo" which encourages all sectors of society to help promote, protect, and support breastfeeding practices.  (FREEMAN)