In celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month, the City Government of Marikina in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a non-governmental organization, spearheaded a back-to-back two-day advocacy event focusing on safe motherhood which was held in two barangays, namely Concepcion Uno and Parang on March 30 and 31, respectively. With the theme, “Babae: Malusog. Ligtas. Handa. Siguruhing Ligtas Ka at Si Baby”, the advocacy event aims to encourage pregnant mothers to have their pre-natal check-up regularly and to give birth in a hospital or lying-in clinic, demand to be initiated to breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, and have their Hepatitis B immunization and Newborn Screening done within 24 hours after giving birth. The other participants were breastfeeding moms, women of reproductive age and other caregivers.

It was a fun-filled day for the more than 250 participants because aside from the learnings that they got from the speakers, there was a question and answer portion while they play ball in “Shoot that Ball” or the darts game wherein they get to win a prize for every correct answer. The participants, particularly the pregnant women really had a good time and gave them the confidence in preparing themselves for motherhood. Indeed, a mother has to be healthy, safe and ready for childbirth, not only for herself but more so, for her newborn.

Written by Ms. Eileen S. Guevara, Nutritionist-Dietitian II, Marikina City

Ms. Guevara is a member of the NCR Nutrition Writers’ Guild and the NCR Nutrition Communication Resource (NCR2) Group. She is also the President of the City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators’ Association of Metro Manila, Inc.