MAKATI CITY — Makati City continues to strengthen its efforts to promote maternal and child health as local officials, healthcare professionals, breastfeeding mothers, and community representatives from different barangays recently gathered to highlight the importance of breastfeeding. The discussion brought together members of the Makati Health Department, Makati Medical Society, and partner organizations to share information and reinforce support for nursing mothers. In a message delivered by Councilor Arlene Ortega on behalf of Mayor Nancy Binay, the city government described breastfeeding as a “shared responsibility” that calls for active support from families, communities, and the local government.
Breastfeeding Supports Health Beyond Infancy
Health professionals at the gathering emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a baby's life. UPCN Assistant Professor Efrelyn A. Lellamo, a maternal and child health advocate, explained that breastmilk provides infants with complete nutrition while also contributing to broader development goals. According to Lellamo, breastfeeding supports the achievement of eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. Its benefits extend beyond infant nutrition, contributing to efforts related to food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. Dr. Agnes P. Mariano-Namocatcat of the San Juan City Health Office also highlighted the role of appropriate family planning in protecting the health and well-being of mothers following childbirth.
Creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly City
Makati provides a range of services aimed at helping mothers successfully breastfeed and maintain their health. These include nutrition counseling, health consultations, breastfeeding education, capacity-building programs, and collaborations with government agencies and other organizations. The city has also established lactation-friendly facilities in every Makati City Hall building, giving nursing mothers access to designated spaces where they can breastfeed or express milk comfortably and privately. Another major component of Makati's maternal and child health services is the Makati Human Milk Bank, recognized as the first and only local government unit-operated human milk bank in the Philippines. Established in 2013, the facility provides safe and quality breastmilk to infants who need it, serving beneficiaries in Makati as well as other cities. Through these programs and partnerships, Makati continues to build an environment where breastfeeding mothers receive the resources, information, and community support needed to give their children a healthy start in life.
