Iloilo strengthens breastfeeding campaign against child malnutrition

ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) intensified its campaign to promote breastfeeding, improve child nutrition and combat malnutrition during the Provincial Breastfeeding Congress 2026 on Nov. 4.

The congress brought together municipal health officers, barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs), frontline nutrition workers, breastfeeding advocates, representatives of academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations at Goldberry Hotel in Iloilo City.

Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Dr. Wendel Marcelo said the activity aimed to strengthen public awareness of breastfeeding, particularly its role during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

“We are advocating that our children, our infants, be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding for two years and beyond,” Marcelo said.

He described breastfeeding as an important intervention in reducing malnutrition among children.

The first 1,000 days, from conception until a child’s second birthday, are critical to growth and development.

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy supports fetal development, while proper infant feeding helps meet a child’s nutritional needs during the early years.

From six months onward, infants should receive safe and nutritious complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed until age 2 or beyond.

Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants against infections, while complementary foods supply additional nutrients needed for continued growth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by appropriate complementary feeding while breastfeeding continues until age 2 or beyond.

In the Philippines, Republic Act 11148, or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, provides a framework for strengthening maternal and child nutrition services during the first 1,000 days of life.

The congress also tackled Philippine laws and policies protecting breastfeeding, including measures supporting nursing mothers in health facilities and workplaces.

An advocacy segment, “A Community that Cares for Every Mother,” and breastfeeding success stories highlighted the experiences of mothers and the importance of community support.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, in his message, recognized the role of barangay health workers (BHWs) and BNSs in assisting mothers who encounter breastfeeding difficulties.

“When a young mother in the barangay is struggling to breastfeed at nine o’clock in the evening, she does not ring the Provincial Capitol. She does not dial the office of the Provincial Administrator. She runs straight to her BHW. She consults her BNS…” Banias said.

He also emphasized that proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days lays the foundation for brain development and future learning.

“We can build the most modern classrooms. We can supply the finest reading materials, provide digital tablets, and train the most dedicated teachers. But if a child enters the Grade 1 classroom with an undernourished brain, we are already playing a painful, heartbreaking game of catch-up,” he said.

He described breastfeeding as a vital source of nourishment and a cost-effective investment in a child’s cognitive development.

He added that supporting breastfeeding mothers requires empathy, patience and community support, particularly in addressing misconceptions and traditional doubts.

Banias expressed confidence that health professionals and community health workers could help strengthen breastfeeding promotion across Iloilo’s 42 municipalities and one component city.

The congress carried the theme “Kalinga ng Ina, Lakas ng Kinabukasan,” emphasizing the shared responsibility of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.