In celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, 每日大赛网址首页进入 (CvSU) – Gender and Development Resource Center (GADRC) conducted a webinar titled: 鈥�Nourishing Bonds: Promoting Shared Support for Breastfeeding” on August 6, 2025 held via Facebook live and video conferencing.
The activity aims to encourage shared responsibility between mothers, fathers, and caregivers in the breastfeeding journey; provide evidence-based information on breastfeeding techniques, overcoming challenges, and building a support network; create a supportive environment for breastfeeding by addressing social and workplace barriers; and inform participants about their rights and responsibilities regarding breastfeeding under Philippine Law.
To formally open the program, Dr. Evelyn M. Del Mundo, Dean of the CvSU – College of Nursing, emphasized the importance of empowering and encouraging mothers to embrace breastfeeding, underscoring that it is not solely the mother’s responsibility. She said that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility鈥攐ne that involves families, communities, and institutions alike. Dr. Del Mundo highlighted that everyone has a role to play in supporting breastfeeding by promoting awareness, providing encouragement, and strengthening the support system for lactating mothers.
The first two topics, titled 鈥淚ntroduction to Breastfeeding, Shared Responsibility and Building a Breastfeeding Support Network鈥� and 鈥淥vercoming Challenges,鈥� were delivered by Ms. Maria Khristina C. Huerto, RM. In her discussion, she began by addressing various myths that commonly misinform the community about breastfeeding. She then shared factual and evidence-based information that participants need to understand to effectively support breastfeeding mothers. Ms. Huerto highlighted the importance of breastfeeding and its wide-ranging health benefits鈥攏ot only for infants but also for mothers. She emphasized that protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding goes beyond simply providing nutrition; it is an act of nurturing, bonding, and building resilience. She further underscored the idea that breastfeeding is a powerful advocacy, one that contributes significantly to maternal and child well-being. Her message was clear: breastfeeding should be TSEK鈥�Tama, Sapat, at Eksklusibo (Right, Enough, and Exclusive). She also discussed various breastfeeding programs and support networks available at both the local and national levels.
As part of her talk, she offered practical solutions and supportive strategies to the common challenges that breastfeeding mothers often face, such as latching difficulties, pumping and milk storage concerns, and transitioning back to work. Ms. Huerto strongly emphasized that breastfeeding is a right, not a privilege, and reminded participants that it is a journey, not a pursuit of perfection. She concluded with a heartfelt message: 鈥淪a bawat patak ng gatas, may lakas at pag-ibig na kasama.鈥�
The third topic, titled 鈥淟egal Rights and Responsibilities (RA 10028 and Executive Order No. 51),鈥� was discussed by Ms. Blessie Mae M. Satur, RM. In her presentation, she thoroughly explained the legal frameworks that uphold and protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers, particularly Republic Act No. 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, and Executive Order No. 51, also known as the Philippine Milk Code. Ms. Satur emphasized the significant benefits of breastfeeding, not only for the health and development of infants but also for the well-being of mothers. She highlighted key provisions of the laws that support breastfeeding, such as the establishment of lactation stations in workplaces, paid lactation breaks, and protection against unethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
Furthermore, she stressed that support for breastfeeding should extend beyond healthcare settings, and that workplaces and other institutions have a critical role to play in enabling mothers to continue breastfeeding. By creating breastfeeding-friendly environments and implementing policies aligned with national laws, organizations can contribute meaningfully to this public health advocacy.
To formally close the program, Ms. Lei Anne B. Rupido, GAD Alternate from the CON, gratefully extended her appreciation to the esteemed resource speakers on empowering the advocacy for breastfeeding and giving significant and valuable insights to the participants. She emphasized that breastfeeding is not just a personal journey, but a public health priority. Ms. Rupido encouraged the participants to be an advocate and to support breastfeeding not just in our home, but also in our workplaces and community. (by Lynnette M. Tecson)
