CAMILLE VILLAR PUSHES FOR BREASTFEEDING CENTERS IN EVERY BARANGAY

SENATOR Camille Villar has filed a measure that seeks to establish dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay nationwide to support mothers and ensure proper nutrition for infants.

In filing the “Barangay Breastfeeding Centers Act,” the vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and a member of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, Villar underscored that maternal and child health must be a top priority of government.

“Breast milk is the ideal food for babies–it provides complete nutrition, strengthens immunity, and even supports mothers’ mental health by reducing risks of postpartum depression; yet, many Filipino families still face barriers to breastfeeding. By bringing dedicated breastfeeding centers to every barangay, we can improve child survival, ease the financial burden on parents, and build healthier communities,” Villar, the youngest senator of the 20th Congress, emphasized.

Villar, who herself is a mother of a growing family, further said that the bill mandates barangay breastfeeding centers should offer free guidance, access to breastfeeding materials, and information campaigns on its benefits. Health workers will also undergo regular training to improve services.

According to the Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO), only 34% of Filipino infants under six months are exclusively breastfed–far below the global target of at least 50%. Studies further show that breastfeeding can prevent child deaths from diarrhea and pneumonia, while mothers who breastfeed face a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

The measure will also strengthen the gains 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.