The Northern Mindanao Infant and Young Child Feeding Regional Task Force (IYCF TF) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) together with NorMin bus company owners and operators recently joined hands to support the move to designate Breastfeeding (BF) Seats in all public utility bus operating in the region. This was disclosed during a consultative meeting held last April 15 to solicit the support of critical stakeholders and generate inputs for the finalization of the IYCF TF Resolution requesting the LTFRB to issue a directive to all NorMin bus operators to designate a BF seat inside their buses.

This BF Seat initiative was brought out transpired the IYCF Stakeholder’s Meeting held in October 2015 organized by the DOH RO X as a response to the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (RA 10028) which seeks to create an environment where basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are fulfilled through the practice of breastfeeding. Said Republic Act also mandates for the establishment of lactation stations accessible to breastfeeding women as may be appropriate whether it be in health or non-health facilities, establishments, or institutions, including public places.

As suggested by LTFRB 10, once signed, the Resolution on the BF Seat initiative will be forwarded to the LTFRB main office as a trigger to a national policy or issuance. Atty. Solayman Macatoon Jr., LTFRB 10 Hearing Officer, claims that if ever, the attempt of the NorMin IYCF TF to call for a national issuance for a BF Seat will be a pioneering effort.  In the meantime, LTFRB 10 can issue a memo directive to enjoin local bus liners to support the move.

The NorMin IYCF TF is chaired by the DOH RO X with the National Nutrition Council X as Vice-Chairperson. kjco