TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 792
Senate
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25 AUG-4 PI :13
RECEIVED 8'..
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING ROOMING-IN, BREASTFEEDING, AND BREAST 
MILKBANKING PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES, EXPANDING AND 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7600, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"ROOMING-IN AND BREASTFEEDING ACT OF 1992," AS AMENDED BY 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10028, AND PROVIDING FUNDS AND MECHANISMS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Breastfeeding is globally recognized as one of the most effective interventions 
to improve child survival.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF 
recommend early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and exclusive 
breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding along 
with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.2
In the Philippines, breastfeeding practices continue to face challenges, with 
both coverage and quality needing significant improvement. According to the 2023 
National Nutrition Survey (NNS) on Infant and Young Child Feeding, only 61.2 percent 
of infants were breastfed within the first hour of birth, and just 50.4 percent of infants 
under six months were exclusively breastfed. Both figures represent a decline from 
previous years. As children grow older, 53.3 percent are still breastfed at one year.
1 World Health Organization, (n.d.). Breastfeeding. Retrieved on July 18, 2025, from 
https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_l
2 UNICEF. (2018, May 10). Breastfeeding: A mother's gift, for every child. United Nations Children's 
Fund. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from
https://www.unicef.org/media/48046/file/UNICEF_Breastfeeding_A_Mothers_Gift_for_Every_Child.pdf


while only 40.9 percent continue breastfeeding up to two years of age. In addition, 
17.7 percent of infants were given pre-lacteal feeds, or foods and liquids other than 
breastmilk, shortly after birth, indicating early deviation from recommended feeding 
practices. Moreover, barriers such as limited workplace accommodations, absence of 
milk banks in many regions, and lack of structured donor systems continue to hinder 
breastfeeding and access to breast milk for vulnerable infants.3
While Republic Act No. 7600 (Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992)4 and 
Republic Act No. 10028 (Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009)5 laid a strong 
policy foundation for promoting breastfeeding and workplace lactation support, they 
do not sufficiently address the growing need for institutionalized breast milk banking 
as a life-saving public health intervention, especially in neonatal intensive care units 
and disaster-affected areas.
Despite this, there are only several operational breast milk banks across the 
country, many of which lack sufficient cold chain logistics, digital inventory systems, 
or provincial reach.
This bill seeks to institutionalize a national breast milk banking network, fully 
integrated with rooming-in and breastfeeding programs, and supported by clear 
funding, digital platforms, private sector incentives, and public health monitoring. It 
introduces the creation of regional breast milk banks, breastmilk donation areas, and 
a real-time Online Live Milk Map and Reserve System. It also provides for non­
monetary donor incentives, public-private partnerships, and compliance with national 
safety and storage protocols.
This measure affirms the State's duty to ensure the survival, nutrition, and 
development of Filipino children, especially those born under fragile conditions or
3 Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2025, July 3). 
DOST-FNRI unveils 2023 Filipinos state of health and nutrition. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from 
https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/86-2025-news/4067-dost-fnri-unveils-2023- 
fi lipi nos-state-of-hea Ith -and -nutrition. htm I
4 Republic of the Philippines, (n.d.). Republic Act No. 7600: Rooming-ln and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 
[PDF]. Philippine Commission on Women. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from 
https://pcw.gov.ph/assets/files/2020/03/republic_act_7600.pdf7x83052
5 Republic of the Phiiippines. (2010). Republic Act No. 10028: Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act 
of2009. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10028_2010.html
2


during emergencies, while simultaneously protecting the rights of women to safely 
donate, express, and support breastfeeding.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
SENATE
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(Qffkf cf fijp
25 AUG-4 P1:13
RECElViO O'.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING ROOMING-IN, BREASTFEEDING, AND BREAST MILK 
BANKING PRACTICES IN THE PHILIPPINES, EXPANDING AND AMENDING 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7600, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ROOMING-IN AND 
BREASTFEEDING ACT OF 1992," AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
10028, AND PROVIDING FUNDS AND MECHANISMS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Breast Milk Banking
Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State upholds the right of every child to 
breastmilk as a primary source of nutrition, immunity, and development, and the right 
of every mother to receive adequate support to breastfeed. To this end, the State 
shall strengthen breastfeeding, rooming-in, and breast milk banking practices, 
ensuring access even in emergencies and among vulnerable populations.
Breast milk banking shall be institutionalized as a complementary public health 
strategy to augment maternal milk supply in critical cases, promote voluntary 
breastmilk donation, and ensure the survival and optimal development of newborns, 
especially those in neonatal intensive care units. The State recognizes that an 
integrated and safe milk banking system is essential to uphold the nutritional rights of 
infants and the rights of women to donate and express breastmilk safely.


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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7600, as amended
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by Republic Act No. 10028 is hereby further amended to insert new subsections (aa),
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(bb), (cc), and (dd) and to modify subsection (f), to read as follows:
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XXX
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(f) DONOR MILK - BREAST MILK FROM A NON-BIOLOGICAL
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MOTHER, VOLUNTARILY PROVIDED AND SCREENED FOR
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SAFETY IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
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(DOH) PROTOCOLS.
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XXX
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(aa) DONOR INCENTIVE PACKAGE - A NON-MONETARY
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BENEFIT PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE AND SCREENED
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BREASTMILK DONORS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE NUTRITIONAL
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SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS, FOOD VOUCHERS, OR SIMILAR
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FORMS OF SUPPORT, AS DEFINED IN DOH GUIDELINES.
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(bb) BREASTMILK DONATION AREA - A DESIGNATED SPACE
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WITHIN A LICENSED HEALTH FACILITY WHERE SCREENED
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LACTATING MOTHERS MAY VOLUNTARILY EXPRESS AND
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DONATE BREASTMILK FOR COLLECTION BY A DOH-
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ACCREDITED BREAST MILK BANK, REGIONAL MILK HUB, OR
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SIMILAR AUTHORIZED ENTITY.
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(cc) BREAST MILK BANK - A FACILITY THAT RECRUITS,
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SCREENS, COLLECTS, PASTEURIZES, STORES, AND
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DISTRIBUTES DONATED BREAST MILK IN ACCORDANCE
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WITH DOH REGULATIONS AND INTERNATIONALLY
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RECOGNIZED STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND QUALITY.
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(dd) MILK HUB - A REGIONAL OR PROVINCIAL FACILITY,
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DESIGNATED BY THE DOH, THAT COORDINATES AND
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MANAGES BREAST MILK BANKING OPERATIONS,
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INCLUDING BULK STORAGE, LOGISTICS, AND EQUITABLE
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DISTRIBUTION OF DONOR MILK.
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(EE) NATIONAL BREAST MILK BANKING STRATEGY - A
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GOVERNMENT-LED OPERATIONAL ROADMAP, DEVELOPED


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BY THE DOH# THAT SETS OUT THE TARGETS, REGIONAL
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ROLL-OUT, DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SAFETY
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STANDARDS, AND MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR AN
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INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE BREAST MILK BANKING
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NETWORK NATIONWIDE.
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(FF) ONLINE LIVE MILK MAP AND RESERVE SYSTEM - A
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DIGITAL PLATFORM ESTABLISHED BY THE DOH THAT
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PROVIDES REAL-TIME INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION,
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VOLUME, AND AVAILABILITY OF SCREENED AND
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PASTEURIZED DONOR MILK ACROSS ALL ACCREDITED MILK
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BANKS AND MILK HUBS.
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XXX
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Sec. 4. Establishment and Promotion of Breast Miik Banking and Breastmiik
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Donation - Chapter V on Miscellaneous Provisions shall be renumbered as Chapter VI,
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with the corresponding section numbers adjusted accordingly. A new Chapter VII is
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hereby inserted to read as follows:
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CHAPTER VII
BREAST MILK BANKING NETWORK
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Sec. 17. CREATION OF A NATIONAL BREAST MILK 
BANKING STRATEGY - THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN 
COORDINATION WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES AND 
STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A NATIONAL 
BREAST MILK BANKING STRATEGY TO ENSURE THE 
ESTABLISHMENT, REGULATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A 
NATIONAL MILK BANK NETWORK. THIS STRATEGY SHALL:
a) SET TIME-BOUND TARGETS FOR ESTABLISHING 
MILK BANKS AND HUBS IN ALL REGIONS;
b) DEFINE DONATION, PROCESSING, AND MATCHING 
PROTOCOLS;


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c) ESTABLISH A DIGITAL SYSTEM TO TRACK SUPPLY 
AND DEMAND (MILK MAP); AND
d) ALIGN WITH ROOMING-IN AND BREASTFEEDING 
INITIATIVES UNDER RA 7600 AND RA 10028.
SEC. 18. ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL MILK BANKS 
AND BREASTMILKUNITS. -THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN 
COORDINATION WITH RELEVANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNITS (LGUS), SHALL ESTABLISH AT LEAST ONE REGIONAL 
BREAST MILK BANK AND BREASTMILK UNIT (R-HMBU) IN 
EVERY ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, PREFERABLY WITHIN A 
DOH-RETAINED OR LEVEL 3 PUBLIC HOSPITAL. SATELLITE 
MILK BANKS MAY BE CREATED IN PROVINCES AND HIGHLY 
URBANIZED CITIES AS DEEMED NECESSARY.
SEC. 19. ACCESS BY HOSPITALS AND LYING-IN 
CLINICS. - ALL LICENSED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS 
AND LYING-IN CLINICS MAY ACCESS DONOR BREASTMILK 
FROM THE R-HMBU UPON COMPLIANCE WITH THE 
FOLLOWING:
a) REGISTRATION WITH THE REGIONAL OR 
PROVINCIAL MILK BANK;
b) EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 
(MOA) DETAILING OBLIGATIONS, SAFETY 
PROTOCOLS, AND REPORTING MECHANISMS;
c) COMPLIANCE WITH DOH STANDARDS ON 
ELIGIBILITY, SAFE TRANSPORT, HANDLING, AND 
ADMINISTRATION OF PASTEURIZED DONOR MILK.
d) PRIORITIZATION OF DONOR BREASTMILK FOR 
NUTRITIONALLY AT-RISK INFANTS, INCLUDING 
BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PREMATURE AND LOW 
BIRTHWEIGHT NEWBORNS, INFANTS ADMITTED 
TO NEONATAL AND PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE 
UNITS, AND THOSE WITH SPECIFIC CLINICAL


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INDICATIONS, AS DETERMINED BY THE
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN AND CONSISTENT WITH
DOH CLINICAL GUIDELINES.
SEC. 20. ESTABLISHMENT OF BREASTMILK DONATION 
AREAS. - ALL LEVEL 2 AND LEVEL 3 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE 
HOSPITALS SHALL DESIGNATE A BREASTMILK DONATION 
AREA, EQUIPPED WITH BASIC FACILITIES FOR EXPRESSING, 
COLLECTING, AND TEMPORARILY STORING MILK FOR 
TRANSFER TO R-HMBUS.
PRIVATE FACILITIES, WITH OR WITHOUT EXISTING BREAST 
FEEDING FACILITIES, MAY ENTER INTO PARTNERSHIPS 
WITH THE DOH OR R-HMBUS FOR COLLECTION, TRANSPORT, 
AND DONATION PROCESSING.
SEC. 21. MILK DONOR SCREENING AND INCENTIVE 
SYSTEM. - THE DOH SHALL:
a) ESTABLISH MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL 
SCREENING PROTOCOLS FOR MILK DONORS;
b) ISSUE GUIDELINES FOR HYGIENE, EQUIPMENT 
USE, LABELING, AND QUALITY CONTROL;
c) PROVIDE DONOR INCENTIVE PACKAGES TO 
ELIGIBLE MILK DONORS, SUCH AS LACTATION 
SUPPLEMENTS, FOOD PACKS, BREASTFEEDING 
VITAMINS, OR NON-MONETARY TOKENS OF 
APPRECIATION.
SEC. 22. INTEGRATION WITH EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
AND HEALTH PROGRAMS. - THE MILK BANKING NETWORK 
SHALL BE INTEGRATED INTO:
a) DISASTER RESPONSE PLANS OF THE NDRRMC 
AND DSWD FOR USE IN EMERGENCIES;
b) MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMS, 
INCLUDING NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTATION


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AND THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO 
PROGRAM (4PS);
c) REFERRAL AND SUPPLY CHAINS OF 
GEOGRAPHICALLY 
ISOLATED 
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DISADVANTAGED AREAS (GIDAS) USING 
MOBILE OR SATELLITE MILK BANKS.
SEC. 23. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING. - THE 
DOH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACADEMIC AND HEALTH 
INSTITUTIONS, SHALL:
a) PROVIDE MANDATORY TRAINING ON MILK 
HANDLING AND BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR 
PERSONNEL IN ALL R-HMBUS AND REFERRING 
HOSPITALS;
b) CONDUCT REGULAR ORIENTATIONS FOR LYING- 
IN CLINIC STAFF AND BARANGAY HEALTH 
WORKERS;
c) DEVELOP INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 
CAMPAIGN (lEC) MATERIALS ON MILK BANKING 
FOR MOTHERS AND COMMUNITIES.
SEC. 24. COLD CHAIN AND TRANSPORT LOGISTICS. - 
THE DOH AND LGUS SHALL PROVIDE FUNDING, LOGISTICS, 
AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COLD CHAIN TRANSPORT TO 
ENSURE SAFE DELIVERY OF DONOR MILK TO REGISTERED 
HEALTH FACILITIES. PARTNERSHIPS WITH THIRD-PARTY 
LOGISTICS PROVIDERS AND LOCAL HEALTH TRANSPORT 
SYSTEMS MAY BE ESTABLISHED.
SEC. 25. MONITORING AND EVALUATION. - THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), IN COORDINATION WITH 
RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL DEVELOP AND 
IMPLEMENT A MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) 
FRAMEWORK TO REGULARLY ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS,


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EFFICIENCY, AND SAFETY OF THE NATIONAL BREAST MILK 
BANKING PROGRAM. THIS SHALL INCLUDE:
A) SETTING OUTCOME AND PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS ON DONOR RECRUITMENT, MILK 
SUFFICIENCY, SAFETY COMPLIANCE, AND 
BENEFICIARY REACH;
B) CONDUCTING PERIODIC EVALUATIONS AND 
IMPACT ASSESSMENTS OF REGIONAL AND 
PROVINCIAL MILK BANKS, DONOR INCENTIVE 
SCHEMES, AND UTILIZATION TRENDS;
C) PUBLISHING AN ANNUAL M&E REPORT TO 
INFORM POLICY ADJUSTMENTS, ENSURE 
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND IMPROVE PROGRAM 
IMPLEMENTATION;
D) ENGAGING CIVIL SOCIETY, HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS, 
AND 
ACADEMIC
INSTITUTIONS 
IN 
INDEPENDENT
ASSESSMENTS, FEEDBACK COLLECTION, AND 
POLICY RESEARCH TO SUPPORT EVIDENCE- 
BASED IMPROVEMENT.
SEC. 26. ONLINE LIVE MILK MAP AND RESERVE 
SYSTEM - TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY, COORDINATION, 
AND EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF DONOR BREAST MILK, THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) SHALL ESTABLISH AND 
MAINTAIN AN ONLINE LIVE MILK MAP AND RESERVE 
SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM SHALL:
A) SERVE AS A CENTRALIZED DIGITAL PLATFORM 
INDICATING THE REAL-TIME AVAILABILITY, 
LOCATION, AND VOLUME OF SCREENED AND 
PASTEURIZED DONOR BREASTMILK ACROSS ALL 
ACCREDITED REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL BREAST 
MILK BANKS;


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B) FACILITATE EMERGENCY MATCHING AND 
EFFICIENT DISPATCH OF DONOR MILK TO 
REQUESTING HEALTH FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY 
FOR HIGH-RISK AND PRIORITY CASES;
C) INCLUDE FEATURES TO TRACK DONATIONS, 
EXPIRY DATES, AND USAGE TO ENSURE SAFE AND 
TIMELY DISTRIBUTION;
D) BE ACCESSIBLE TO AUTHORIZED HEALTH 
PERSONNEL FROM DOH-ACCREDITED HOSPITALS 
AND MILK BANKS, WITH APPROPRIATE DATA 
PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS; AND
E) BE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC REVIEW AND UPDATING 
BY THE DOH TO ENSURE ACCURACY, SECURITY, 
AND COMPLIANCE WITH EVOLVING MILK 
BANKING STANDARDS.
SEC. 27. PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION AND TAX 
INCENTIVES. - PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND CORPORATIONS 
THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MILK BANK OPERATIONS THROUGH 
DONATIONS OR TECHNICAL SUPPORT MAY CLAIM 
ENHANCED TAX DEDUCTIONS, SUBJECT TO BIR, DOF, AND 
DOH REGULATIONS. BREASTMILK-FRIENDLY WORKPLACES 
SHALL RECEIVE RECOGNITION AS "BREASTMILK- 
SUPPORTIVE ENTERPRISES."
SEC. 28. FUNDING AND APPROPRIATIONS. - THE 
AMOUNT NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF 
THIS ACT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL 
APPROPRIATIONS ACT UNDER THE BUDGET OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH). LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNITS (LGUS) MAY ALLOCATE COUNTERPART FUNDING 
FROM THEIR HEALTH OR GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (GAD) 
BUDGET, AS APPLICABLE.


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TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROGRAM
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IMPROVEMENT, AT LEAST THREE PERCENT (3%) OF THE
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TOTAL ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
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THIS ACT SHALL BE EARMARKED SPECIFICALLY FOR
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MONITORING AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES UNDER THE
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SUPERVISION OF THE DOH.
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SEC. 29. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULA TIONS. -
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WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, THE
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN CONSULTATION WITH
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RELEVANT AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS, SHALL
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PROMULGATE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY
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TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
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XXX
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Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If Any Clause, Sentence, Paragraph Or Part Of
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This Act Shall Be Declared To Be Invalid, The Remainder Of This Act Or Any Provision
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Not Affected Thereby Shall Remain In Force And Effect.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All Laws, Decrees, Orders, And Issuances
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Inconsistent With This Act Are Hereby Repealed Or Modified Accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act Shall Take Effect Fifteen (15) Days After
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Publication In The Official Gazette Or In At Least Two (2) National Newspapers Of
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General Circulation.
Approved,