Quezon LGUs recognized for exemplary breastfeeding support at DOH Forum

By Nimfa Estrellado (L-R) Real Mayor Diana Abigail Aquino, Tayabas City, Mayor Lovely Reynoso-Pontioso, Dolores Mayor Orlan Calayag during t...

By Nimfa Estrellado

(L-R) Real Mayor Diana Abigail Aquino, Tayabas City, Mayor Lovely Reynoso-Pontioso, Dolores Mayor Orlan Calayag during the 2nd Regional Mother-Baby Friendly Quezon Stakeholders Forum and Awarding Ceremony held on August 28, 2024 at the Dusit Thani Manila hotel in Makati City. (Photo from UNLAD Dolores)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Thirteen local government units (LGUs) in Quezon Province were recognized for their outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting breastfeeding at the 2nd Regional Mother-Baby Friendly Calabarzon Stakeholders Forum and Awarding Ceremony held yesterday, August 28, 2024, at the Dusit Thani Manila hotel in Makati City.

The event, organized by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Calabarzon, coincided with the celebration of National Breastfeeding Month. The LGUs were commended for their various initiatives, such as establishing breastfeeding stations, conducting breastfeeding seminars, and implementing breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies.



The awardees were selected based on their comprehensive programs and initiatives to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, including the establishment of mother-baby friendly workplaces, creation of lactation stations, organization of mother support groups, and implementation of policies aligned with the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.

Dolores, Quezon; Tayabas City; Sariaya, Quezon; and Real, Quezon, all received the prestigious "Breastfeeding Champion Award," a testament to their commitment to creating breastfeeding-friendly environments and empowering mothers to nurture their children through breastfeeding.

All the awardees expressed their gratitude for the recognition and vowed to continue their efforts in promoting breastfeeding in their respective communities. They emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive support to mothers, including access to information, lactation counseling, and supportive workplaces, to enable them to breastfeed successfully.

Dolores Mayor Orlan Calayag and Vice Mayor Renato "Doc Jon" Alilio Jr. expressed their pride in the town's collective effort. Mayor Calayag dedicated the award to the people of Dolores, recognizing their crucial role in the success of the town's health and nutrition programs.

In Tayabas City, Mayor Lovely Reynoso-Pontioso received the award on behalf of the city. Tayabas was further recognized for its innovative Lactation Hub, which was named the Top Breastmilk Donor, and for its Mother-Support Group Initiative that fosters a strong network of support for breastfeeding mothers.

Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta, accompanied by his wife Mayora Marivic T. Gayeta and Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Reymundo D. Razon, proudly accepted the awards on behalf of the municipality. Sariaya received the Breastfeeding Champion Municipality Award, Excellence in Mother-Support Group Initiative, and the Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Award for achieving 100% barangays with Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace certifications.

The municipality of Real also received recognition at the ceremony, although the specific award was not detailed in the available information. Real Mayor Diana Abigail Aquino accepted the award on behalf of Real and expressed gratitude for the recognition.

Adding to the inspiring stories from the event, JCINSP Elaine D. Toledo, the acting warden of the Quezon District Jail Female Dormitory, also attended the forum. The jail unit, under Toledo's leadership, was recognized by the DOH for its exemplary achievement in promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding programs and advocacies, showcasing that even institutions can play a crucial role in creating a breastfeeding-friendly society.

Other LGUs receiving recognition at the event were: the City of Tayabas; and the Municipalities of Alabat, Calauag, Candelaria, General Luna, General Nakar, Infanta, Macalelon, San Antonio, and Tagkawayan. These LGUs, alongside the "Breastfeeding Champion" awardees, showcase the growing commitment to maternal and child health in Quezon Province. Their efforts serve as an inspiration for other communities to prioritize and support breastfeeding, contributing to a healthier future for generations to come.

The forum served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders in Quezon Province, emphasizing the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in creating an enabling environment for breastfeeding. This year's theme, "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All," underscored the importance of providing equitable breastfeeding support across all sectors of society.

DOH-CHD Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo lauded the awardees, urging them to continue their efforts and serve as role models for others. He also called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the goal of universal breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Quezon Province.