South Cotabato -The Provincial Government of South Cotabato is planning to establish a Mother’s Milk Bank as part of its strengthened campaign to combat malnutrition and ensure better nutrition for infants and young children across the province.
The proposed Mother’s Milk Bank will focus on the collection, storage, processing, and preservation of donated breast milk to ensure that vulnerable infants particularly those who are sick, undernourished, or unable to be breastfed by their mothers have access to safe, natural, and highly nutritious milk.
According to Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Rudy S. Jimenea, the initiative is aligned with the province’s long-term nutrition goals and is expected to play a crucial role in sustaining and further improving South Cotabato’s nutrition indicators.
“Mother’s milk banking will help provide nutritious milk to babies, especially those in critical need. This is one of the key objectives of our office in fighting malnutrition and ensuring that every child gets a healthy start in life,” Jimenea said.
The procurement of specialized equipment needed to preserve and maintain the quality of breast milk is already underway.
Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants, containing essential nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors that protect babies from infections and support proper development. Health experts note that access to donor breast milk is especially important for premature babies and infants with medical conditions, as it significantly reduces the risk of illness and malnutrition.
South Cotabato has already made notable progress in addressing malnutrition. Based on the latest provincial data, the province currently records a low malnutrition rate of 1.54 percent.
Meanwhile, the stunting rate among preschool children aged 0 to 59 months stands at 2.68 percent figures that is among the lowest in the region.
Despite these positive numbers, provincial officials stressed that sustained and proactive interventions remain essential to prevent setbacks and address pockets of nutritional vulnerability, particularly in remote and disadvantaged communities.
“The planned Mother’s Milk Bank is one of the priority programs under the Tamayo administration, reflecting its continued commitment to responsive governance and people-centered development,” Jimenea said.
The initiative complements existing health and nutrition programs aimed at mothers and children, including breastfeeding promotion, maternal care services, and community-based nutrition interventions.
Provincial leaders emphasized that the program demonstrates the administration’s dedication to investing in preventive healthcare and long-term human development, ensuring that the needs of the people, especially the youngest and most vulnerable remain at the forefront of government action.
Once operational, the Mother’s Milk Bank is expected to strengthen South Cotabato’s position as a model province in nutrition and child welfare, reinforcing the belief that a healthy population begins with well-nourished children.
