Caloocan LGU opens breastfeeding station - MB

The Caloocan City government has established a breastfeeding station in the City Hall where nursing mothers can pump milk or feed their babies.

The station is a private area located on the third floor of the Caloocan City Hall-South that aims to provide a sanitary place to benefit breastfeeding women who are in the premises.

It is part of Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan’s directive to provide protection and equal opportunities to women in the city and was opened to the public in line with the celebration of National Breastfeeding Week, the local government said.

The facility is staffed by volunteers from the breastfeeding support group of the City Health Department. It is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jan Christine Bagtas, City Gender and Development Coordinating Office officer-in-charge, said the city government consistently takes account of the needs of the residents.

“Caloocan City Hall is a safe space for breastfeeding moms. Tinitiyak natin na mayroong maayos at malinis na breastfeeding area para sa mga nanay na may mga kinakailangang lakarin sa City Hall at hindi maiwasang isama ang kanilang mga anak. Gayundin sa ating mga empleyado na kinakailangang mag-pump ng gatas para sa kanilang mga anak (We ensure that there is a proper and clean breastfeeding area for mothers who need to come to the City Hall to transact their business and cannot avoid taking their children with them. Also to our employees who have to pump milk for their children),” Bagtas said.

The local government said that employees are also given a 40 minute break interval in addition to their regular break period for the purpose of expressing milk.

It added that the provision of the breastfeeding station is aligned with the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act,” along with the city’s Gender and Development Program to provide easily accessible rooms for nursing women wherein minimum Covid-19 health protocols can be observed.

The local government said the official launching of the facility will be held in August.