Breastfeeding station in workplaces urged

CEBU, Philippines – The Central Visayas Regional Development Council encourages all regional line agencies to put up breastfeeding facilities for the convenience of working lactating mothers.

Teresa Fernandez, chairperson of the RDC-Social Development Committee, said that the establishment of a breastfeeding room in the workplace is a fulfillment not only of the rights of women but also of children.

Republic Act 9719, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Women” which was signed into law by President Gloria Arroyo last August 14, provides for equal opportunities among women.

Chapter IV, Section 17 of the said Act provides that “the State should ensure that women have access to breastfeeding facilities so they would in turn properly practice one of the government’s health campaign programs that mother’s milk is still the best food there is for infants.”

“One of the specific ways identified to assist working women in breastfeeding is to provide a breastfeeding room in the workplace,” Fernandez said in her resolution.

Last August 27, the RDC-Social Development Committee passed a resolution recommending that RDC should support in calling all regional line agencies to set up their own breastfeeding facilities to support women as they do their obligations to their babies.

“The RDC saw the need for government to set an example in the implementation of the provision of the law, specifically in the provision of breastfeeding services,” the resolution read.

Dr. Christina Giango, provincial health officer, in an interview with The FREEMAN said that the provincial government has already set up a breastfeeding station in a public place such as in the renovated Cebu South Bus Terminal.

The establishment of the same inside the Capitol compound is already underway, Giango added. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)