Dear Friends on Lactnet,
There's exciting news from the Philippines, where two IBCLCs (out of only 3
IBCLCs in the country), have organized breastfeeding advocacy groups to push
for and win a Code-implementation scheme that includes sanctions.
Dr. Elvira L. Henares Esguerra IBCLC and Nona D. Andaya Castillo IBCLC are
two strong and smart women. They were able to find allies and mobilise
support to craft the new implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to
accompany the 19-year-old "Milk Code." Their adgvocacy groups also had a
hand in assembling almost 4,000 breastfeeding women and their children to
set a new world record for the most breastfeeding couples in one place
earlier this year.
Here is the press release, which I hope will come through in English instead
of gibberish. There's an email address included. I think congratulations are
in order!
Chris
Chris Mulford, RN, IBCLC
LLL Leader Reserve
working for WIC in South Jersey (Eastern USA)
Co-coordinator, Women & Work Task Force, WABA
*******
Press Statement
Children for Breastfeeding, Inc.,
2198 Paraiso, Dasmarińas Village, Makati City, Philippines 1222 Tel.
(623)844-2390,
[log in to unmask]
After 19 years, the Philippines puts teeth into its Breastfeeding laws
The Department of Health of the Philippines announced that it has signed,
issued and published the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)
governing the National Milk Code of 1986 and relevant International
Agreements in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
(1996), the International Milk Code (1981) on the marketing of Breastmilk
Substitutes, and the WHO/UNICEF Global Strategy (2002) on Infant and Young
Child Feeding.
The government decision to give teeth to its laws and its international
obligations on Breastfeeding came in the wake of declining rates of
exclusive breastfeeding in the Philippines, 26 % national average, and an
abysmal ˝ percent in Metro Manila area where cow’s milk advertising is most
effective. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is only 24 days
instead of six months as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)
and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The new IRR prohibits “advertising, promotion, sponsorships or
marketing materials and activities for breastmilk substitutes intended for
infants and young children up to twenty four (24) months… (that) convey or
give subliminal messages or impressions that undermine breastmilk and
breastfeeding or otherwise exaggerate breast milk substitutes and/or
replacements…” It also prescribes a range of administrative sanctions for
violations, that culminates on the 5th and repeated succeeding violations of
“Administrative Fine of One Million (P 1,000,000.00) Pesos, the recall of
the offending product, cancellation of the CPR (Certificate of Product
Registration), revocation of the License to Operate (LTO) of the company
concerned, including the blacklisting of the company to be furnished the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI);”
This landmark initiative was achieved, after 19 frustrating
years of blatant violations since the original law, EO 51, was promulgated
by President Corazon Aquino in 1986. This was done though an intensive
campaign by a Breastfeeding Advocacy Group, led by Children for
Breastfeeding, Inc. headed by Dr. Elvira L. Henares Esguerra IBCLC and by
Nurturers of the Earth, Inc. headed by Ms. Nona D. Andaya Castillo IBCLC ,
with the strong and active support of UNICEF Philippines headed by Dr.
Nicholas K. Alipui. Dr. Esguerra and Ms. Castillo are two of only three
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in the
Philippines. IBCLC is a profession of breastfeeding experts fully
accredited in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and many parts of
the world.
“What was not achieved after 19 frustrating years and 11 draft
versions, we were able to finalize in its 12th version in period of only six
and a half months,” said Dr. Esguerra, “with the help of the UNICEF and the
cooperation of the Department of Health under Secretary Francisco Duque III
and Undersecretary Alex Padilla. We have been given assurance that Nestle
Philippines and Mead Johnson fully intend to comply with the new IRR. Only
Wyeth Philippines seem disposed to oppose it, and we are preparing a case
against it in the US Department of Justice, for violations of the US Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.”
The final approval of the new IRR was the climax of a year-long
campaign of Children for Breastfeeding, Inc. and Nurturers of the Earth,
Inc. that resulted in the Presidential Proclamation of World Breastfeeding
Week, the Launching of the Infant and Young Child Feeding Program, the
inauguration of the SM Super Mall the largest in Asia as Breastfeeding
Friendly, and the breaking of the Guinness World Record for Simultaneous
Breastfeeding of almost 4,000 mothers in the City of Manila with the help of
Mayor Lito Atienza.
********
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