The Taguig City government has organized “Hakab Na” to promote the health and well-being of mothers and their children in line with National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
At the heart of this event was the 10th Grand Breastmilk Letting Activity which involved 300 lactating mothers and generous donors, ensuring a continuous supply of essential breastmilk for infants.
The collected milk will be carefully treated and stored in the Human Milk Bank of the Taguig Pateros District Hospital.
Taguig-Pateros District Hospital Chief of Clinics Dr. Cristina Emily Guerrero highlighted the city’s efforts to promote and support breastfeeding.
“In the City of Taguig, breastfeeding stations have been designated so that workers can continue the (breastfeeding) practice. The city is also encouraging private companies to have breastfeeding stations and go through accreditation to ensure that the mandatory 40 minutes lactation period is implemented for to the workers,” she said.
Taguig stands out as one of the first local government units in the country to establish its own Milk Bank.
Since the milk donation program in the city started in 2010, it has benefited 2,200 babies and collected 3,780 liters of milk.
Booths were set up for Nutrition, Family Planning, and free HIV, Syphilis, and HEPA-B testing services for mothers.
Along with free services, participants received a token bag with a free T-shirt, snacks, and a packed meal. Free 2 kilos of iron-fortified rice and vegetables which help increase breastmilk production were also distributed to breastfeeding mothers.
TikTok Dance Competition entries from breastfeeding moms across various barangays of Taguig were also showcased and prizes were awarded to the winners.