The following was sent to me by Dr Jack Newman; hooray for the Phillipines
and LC colleagues there.
Barbara Latterner BSN, RN, IBCLC
Press Statement by Children for Breastfeeding, Inc.,
2198 Paraiso, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, Philippines 1222
(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
½ 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.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants:
Elvira L. Henares-Esguerra, RPh, MD, FPDS, IBCLC
Children for Breastfeeding
Nona D. Andaya-Castillo, IBCLC
Nurturers of the Earth: Birthing, Breastfeeding and Beyond
Tel: 632-271-0954 or 632-444-4716 Mobile: 063
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