Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10343 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BREASTFEEDING CENTER IN BARANGAY STA. 
MONICA, NOVALICHES, QUEZON CITY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is one of the 37 countries that fully implement the 
International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes through its 
Executive Order No. 51 or the Milk Code. Enacted in 1986, the Milk Code 
ensures the protection of the breastfeeding culture in the country. However, 
after more than three decades of the implementation of the Milk Code, studies 
still show that Filipino mothers have yet to fully understand the benefits of 
feeding their babies exclusively with breast milk. 
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, only 34% of Filipino 
infants under six months old are exclusively breastfed. Most Filipino mothers 
opt to use milk formulas due to the alleged inability to produce breast milk 
and time constraints. 
While the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (Republic Act 10028) 
has been enacted to make workplaces friendly to breastfeeding mothers, this 
Act has not been fully implemented and is only rather focused on select 
private and government institutions. 
To further strengthen the country’s existing policies on breastfeeding 
and promote this among mothers, this bill seeks to establish a breastfeeding 
center in Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City. The breastfeeding 
center shall serve as a haven of information on breastfeeding and shall 
nourish a sense of community and support among breastfeeding mothers and 
their families.  
May 6, 2024
11:41 am


By establishing more spaces for breastfeeding mothers at the barangay 
level, the country can reap the optimum benefits of breastfeeding. It is the 
hope of this measure to empower mothers while ensuring a healthier 
generation of newborn Filipinos to come. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10343 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BREASTFEEDING CENTER IN BARANGAY STA. 
MONICA, NOVALICHES, QUEZON CITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Sta. 
Monica Breastfeeding Center 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, and certain cancers as well as 
facilitating the recovery of mothers from rigors of pregnancy and birth and 
helping prevent closely spaced pregnancies. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) “Breastfeeding” means feeding the child directly from the breast or
the expression of milk from the breast of a lactating woman;
(b) “Barangay breastfeeding centers” means breastfeeding centers
situated in the barangay that provide breastfeeding services such as
information on proper breastfeeding methods and proper use of
breast-feeding materials;
(c) “Barangay breastfeeding personnel” authorized health workers
assigned by the municipal/city health office to supervise the
healthcare facilities in each barangay; and


 
 
(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 Sta. Monica Breastfeeding 
Center. –The Breastfeeding Center shall be established in the Barangay 
Health Center of Sta. Monica. The facility shall be integrated within the 
barangay health center and shall have sufficient space and equipment to 
facilitate the barangay breastfeeding program. 
 
SECTION 5. Campaign for Breastfeeding and its Importance to the 
Health of Infants and Mothers. – The barangay breastfeeding personnel 
shall also conduct periodical campaigns involving information dissemination 
on the importance of breastfeeding for the health of mothers and infants. 
 
SECTION 6. Breastfeeding Equipment and Supplements. – Constituents 
of barangay Sta. Monica 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 barangay Sta. Monica shall be entitled to avail of 
the services of the barangay breastfeeding centers. 
 
SECTION 8. Funding for Barangay Breastfeeding Centers. – The amount 
necessary for the establishment of the breastfeeding center shall be generated 
from the funds of the Department of Interior and Local Government. The 
maintenance of the breastfeeding center established shall be the 
responsibility and shall be charged to Barangay Sta. Monica. 
 
SECTION 9. Monitoring and Inspection of Barangay Breastfeeding 
Centers. – The Quezon City Health Office having jurisdiction over Barangay 
Sta. Monica shall monitor and inspect the services and facilities of the 
breastfeeding center at least twice a year. The City Health Office shall ensure 
that the breastfeeding center has sufficient equipment and is able to efficiently 
service the needs of constituents. 
 
SECTION 10. Training and Seminars. – The barangay breastfeeding 
personnel shall undergo training and seminars to improve and update their 
skills in providing breastfeeding services. The Quezon City Health office, in 
coordination with the barangay officials of Sta. Monica, shall schedule 
breastfeeding training and seminars at least once a year.  
 
 


 
 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local 
Government in coordination with the City Health Office and the officials of 
Barangay Sta. Monica shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effectivity of this Act.  
 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and 
effectivity of the other provisions hereof. 
 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, 
or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,