07 May 2021, Malaybalay City (CNPC Jezza Nina Marie Vega) —The local government of Malaybalay City aims to promote and advance the right to health of women, as well as their children, by providing their basic needs and necessities. Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Essentially, all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information and the support from their family, the health care system and the society at large. To attain this, the LGU Malaybalay issued City Ordinance No. 971, series of 2021 known as the creation of the Malaybalay City Human Milk Bank. The ordinance was sponsored and authored by City Councilor Niko P. Aldeguer and it is considered to be the first in Bukidnon.
Breastmilk is the healthiest, cheapest, most accessible form of milk and the most efficient way of providing adequate nutrition to infants that helps in the treatment of conditions associated with prematurity and neonatal illnesses. However, mothers encounter challenges in providing breastmilk for their infants. Thus, this ordinance seeks to establish a Human Milk Bank that will provide infants sufficient supply of breastmilk.
A ceremonial signing was conducted on 5 May 2021 to approved the above-mentioned ordinance. Mayor Florencio T. Flores, Jr. expressed his full support of the said ordinance and led the ceremonial signing along with the presence of Vice Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran held at the People’s Hall, this City.
Mayor Flores, who is a doctor by profession, emphasized the importance of this law to support infants and children in need of breastmilk as the government continues to combat malnutrition and diseases. Funding for the establishment and maintenance, which will be shouldered by the LGU, is not an issue, he said.
Ordinance author Councilor Aldeguer derived inspiration for this ordinance from his daughter, Ria, who was born premature (6 months). His wife’s breastmilk was insufficient when they took their newborn baby home. Thus, they received donated breastmilk for their daughter. Councilor Aldeguer through his personal experience as a parent saw the need to establish this kind of facility which will provide safe, expressed breastmilk to infants. He said he was inspired to legislate this ordinance since it can save lives and ensure health and nutrition among children who need it the most.
As the establishment of the Milk Bank is still in the works, the LGU identify Malaybalay locals as priority recipients of the donated breastmilk.
City Health Office (CHO) through the Nutrition Section led by CNAO Eza Canonigo, thanked the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approving the ordinance. The event was attended by approximately 25 participants, namely CHO-Nutrition staff, barangay nutrition scholars, midwives from different barangays and members of the Malaybalay City’s BREAST FRIENDS group.
