TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
Senate
o{ tl)f Sifcrrt.n'^
25 AUG 28 All :37
SENATE 
S. No. 1307
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREASTFEEDING CENTER 
IN EVERY BARANGAY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the State shall defend the right 
of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection 
from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial 
to their development.1
According to the World Health Organization2, breastfeeding is one of the most 
effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to its 
recommendations, fewer than half of infants under six (6) months old are exclusively 
breastfed.
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies 
which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all 
the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it 
continues to provide up to half or more of a child's nutritional needs during the second 
half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be 
overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. In sum, breastfeeding is 
good for both infants and mothers. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most 
infants. As an infant grows, breast milk changes to meet the infant's nutritional needs.
1 Article XV, Section 3, (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
2 httPs://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeedinQ#tab=tab 1


Breastfeeding can also help protect the infant and mother against certain illnesses and 
diseases. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.3
This proposed legislation seeks to improve on the gains of Republic Act No. 
7600, otherwise known as "The Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992", as 
amended by Republic Act No. 10028, otherwise known as the "Expanded 
Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009". It aims to promote breastfeeding as the best 
possible source of safe and adequate food and nutrition for infants and young children, 
and strengthen the rights and protection of breastfeeding mothers by establishing 
more accessible breastfeeding centers in barangays.
In view thereof, I humbly call for the swift passage of this bill.
CAMILLE A. VILLAR
3 httPS: //WWW .cdc.aov/breastfeedina/faa/index. htm# benefits
2


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1307
Il)c sS1’''
25 AUG 28 All 37
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREASTFEEDING CENTER 
IN EVERY BARANGAY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title.
Breastfeeding Centers Act".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote the 
general welfare of the people. Pursuant to this policy, it shall promote breastfeeding 
as a means to provide protection against major illnesses in children such as respiratory 
infections, diarrhea and malnutrition. The State shall likewise promote breastfeeding 
as a means to ensure maternal health by protecting against hemorrhage, anemia, 
certain cancers as well as facilitating the recovery of mothers from the rigors of 
pregnancy and childbirth and helping prevent closely-spaced pregnancies.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:
a) "Breastfeeding" means feeding of the child directly from the breast or the 
expression on milk from the breast of a lactating mother;
b) "Barangay breastfeeding centers" means breastfeeding centers situated in 
every barangay which provide breastfeeding services such as information on 
proper breastfeeding method and proper use of breastfeeding materials;
c) "Barangay breastfeeding personnel" means authorized health workers 
assigned by the municipal health office to supervise the healthcare facilities in 
each barangay; and
This Act shall be known as the "Barangay


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d) "Breastfeeding materials" means materials used to aid lactating mothers in 
breastfeeding which include medicines, vitamins, breast pumps and other 
useful paraphernalia; materials shall also include breastfeeding milk 
supplements to be supplied by the barangay breastfeeding centers.
SECTION 4. Establishing of Barangay Breastfeeding Centers. - If the
barangay health center in a particular barangay already has sufficient space and 
equipment to facilitate the barangay breastfeeding program, the barangay 
breastfeeding center shall be integrated within the barangay health center. If the 
barangay health center is not sufficiently equipped to facilitate the breastfeeding 
centers, a separate breastfeeding center shall be built.
SECTION 5. Campaign for Breastfeeding and its Importance to the Health 
of Infants and Mothers. - The barangay breastfeeding personnel shall also conduct 
periodic campaigns involving information dissemination on the importance of breast 
feeding for the health of mothers and infants.
SECTION 6. Breastfeeding Equipment and Supplements. - Constituents of 
every barangay shall avail of the services and facilities of barangay breastfeeding 
centers for free. No payment in any form shall be accepted by the personnel of the 
breastfeeding centers. They shall, however, be allowed to receive donations in the 
form of breastfeeding materials and supplements.
SECTION 7. Beneficiaries of the Services and Facilities of Breastfeeding 
Centers. — All residents of the respective barangays shall be entitled to avail of the 
services of the barangay breastfeeding centers.
SECTION 8. Monitoring and Inspection of Barangay Breastfeeding Centers.
- The municipal or city health office having jurisdiction over the respective barangay 
shall monitor and inspect the services and facilities of every barangay breastfeeding 
center at least once every two months. The municipal/city health office shall ensure 
that every breastfeeding center has sufficient equipment and able to efficiently service 
the needs of constituents.
SECTION 9. Trainings and Seminars. - The barangay breastfeeding personnel 
should undergo trainings and seminars to improve and update their skills in providing 
breastfeeding services. The municipal or city health offices, in coordination with the 
barangay officials of every barangay, shall schedule breastfeeding trainings and 
seminars at least once every six months.
SECTION 10. Funding for Barangay Breastfeeding Centers. - The funds to be 
used for the establishment of barangay breastfeeding centers shall be allocated from


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the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The city or 
municipality shall allocate the budget for the maintenance of the breastfeeding centers 
in their respective jurisdictions.
SECTION 11. Implementing Agencies. - The DILG and Department of Health, in 
coordination with the local government units, shall be responsible for the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. They shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations for this Act within sixty (60) days upon its 
effectivity.
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full 
force and effect.
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, 
issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,