BNC olympog

𝐍𝐍𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐊 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬

In compliance to Executive Order 51 or The Milk Code and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, donations of breastmilk substitutes including infant formula, powdered milk and other milk; feeding bottles, teats and commercial baby food are not allowed and that these should not be part of general distribution of emergency food packs. In times of disasters and emergencies, artificial feeding using milks other than breast milk is not safe due to lack of supply of clean water, fuel for sterilization and boiling, utensils, among others.

DOH Administrative Order (AO) 2006-0014 or the “National Policies on Infant and Young Children” indicates that in times of crisis, breastfeeding is the first and best feeding option for infants and young children and that mothers and babies should remain together and provided with support to be able to feed appropriately even under difficult circumstances. Likewise, DOH AO 2007-0017, “Guidelines on the Acceptance and Processing of Foreign and Local Donations during Emergency and Disaster Situations”, states that “Infant formula, breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles, artificial ni***es, and teats shall not be items for donation."

No acceptance of donation shall be issued for any of the enumerated items. Breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding should be promoted, protected and supported but most especially during disasters and emergencies.

As a general rule, the DOH prescribes the feeding options for infants and young children in difficult circumstance:

(1) breastfeeding is the first and best option for infants,
(2) expressed breastmilk, fed by cup;
(3) breastfeeding from healthy wet nurse; and
(4) human milk from milk bank, fed by cup.

Should these options become unavailable, the last option is to feed by cup infant formula (unlabeled) which should be only under the supervision of health and nutrition workers and prepared.

Violations should be reported to the local health office or at http://www.mbfp.doh.