MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda has reaffirmed her support for breastfeeding initiatives in the country and called for the passage of the proposed Breast Milk Banking Act to address systemic gaps that hinder mothers from providing proper nutrition to their children.

Legarda made the statement as she manifested her support for the privilege speech of Senator Pia Cayetano on the need to strengthen breastfeeding awareness and support mechanisms.

“Breastfeeding is a proven life-saving intervention. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend initiating it within the first hour after birth, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and continuing breastfeeding with complementary feeding up to two years or beyond,” Legarda said.

Citing the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, Legarda noted that only 61.2% of infants in the country were breastfed within the first hour of life, while exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months stood at 50.4%. The survey also showed that 17.7% of infants received pre-lacteal feeds, such as formula or other liquids, shortly after birth.

She said the data highlights the country’s declining breastfeeding rates and systemic challenges such as inadequate workplace support for nursing mothers, limited milk banks, weak cold chain and inventory systems, and the absence of structured donor networks.

“To address these gaps, we need stronger policies, better coordination among agencies, and a culture that genuinely supports mothers and infants. Breastfeeding is not merely a personal choice; it is a shared responsibility that requires collective action from the government, communities, and workplaces,” she said.

Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 792, or the Breast Milk Banking Act, which seeks to expand and amend the Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7600) and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10028).

The measure will establish a National Breast Milk Banking Strategy, expand regional human milk bank units and satellite banks, set safety protocols for collection and storage, and create an online tracking system for milk distribution.

“Breastfeeding is a natural right, not a luxury. Yet in times of crisis, too many mothers face impossible choices between safety and nourishing their babies,” Legarda said.

She added that institutionalizing milk banks will ensure timely access to safe donor milk for premature and emergency-affected infants and significantly improve exclusive breastfeeding rates.

“By institutionalizing breast milk banks, we can significantly boost exclusive breastfeeding rates and give every Filipino child a stronger start in life,” Legarda said.

The senator also urged her colleagues to prioritize the bill as the country marks August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.