The City Government of Caloocan established its Breastfeeding Station, a private area wherein nursing mothers can pump milk or feed their babies, located at the 3rd floor, right wing of Caloocan City Hall-South.
It aims to provide a sanitary place to benefit breastfeeding women who are within the premises of the city hall. This is also in line with Mayor Along’s directive to provide protection as well as equal opportunities to women in the city.
According to the City Administrator’s Office, the said facility is open from Mondays to Fridays except during holidays, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, staffed by skilled volunteers from the breastfeeding support group organized by the City Health Department.
In light of the celebration of the World Breastfeeding Week, City Gender and Development Coordinating Office officer-in-charge Jan Christine Bagtas expressed that the city government consistently takes account the needs of its citizens, and moreover assured that there are measures in place to ensure the safety and privacy of mothers within the facility.
“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,” she said.
In line with this effort, local government employees are also given a 40 minute break interval in addition to their regular break period for the purpose of expressing milk.
The provision of the said lactating room 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 health protocols can be observed including wearing of face masks and physical distancing.