SOUTH COTABATO, PHILIPPINES — Demonstrating a strong commitment to maternal and child healthcare, key workplaces in the province have achieved Level 1 and Level 2 Mother-Baby-Friendly Workplace (MBFW) accreditations under the guidelines of Republic Act 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.
Francy Aguilar, the Mother-Baby-Friendly Workplace (MBFW) Focal Person, emphasized that establishing functional lactation stations bridges this gap and creates a supportive work environment.
“Our primary objective is to provide a clean, safe, private, and dignified space for our employees and client mothers,” Aguilar said.
Under Republic Act 10028, we ensure that mothers can express and store their milk securely during working hours, promoting maternal well-being and safeguarding infant health, Aguilar stressed out.
Dole Philippines and the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PGSC-PSWDO), earned their Level 2 Accreditation in 2025, while the Local Government Unit of Tantangan successfully secured Level 1 Accreditation in 2026.
The accreditation highlights the critical role of designated lactation facilities in corporate and government offices, allowing working mothers to continue providing natural nutrition to their children without compromising their professional responsibilities.
According to national health data from the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and the Department of Health (DOH), exclusive breastfeeding rates in the Philippines hover around 60% within the first few months of life. However, maintaining this rate remains a persistent challenge for employed mothers. Studies show that returning to the workforce is a primary reason women discontinue exclusive breastfeeding due to physical constraints, lack of privacy, and lack of adequate storage facilities in workplace settings.
For first-time mother Ana Marie (not her real name), who balances her professional duties at work with caring for her newborn, the presence of a workplace lactation facility made a crucial difference in her decision to continue breastfeeding.
“Being a working mother, I was initially worried that returning to the office would mean giving up breastfeeding my baby,” shared Ana Marie.
Her office features a dedicated safe space equipped with a refrigerator specifically designated for storing breast milk.
“Having a clean, private room with a refrigerator right at my workplace gave me peace of mind. Knowing my milk is safely stored allows me to perform my job well while still giving my child the best nourishment possible—it makes me feel truly valued as an employee and as a mother,” she beamed happily.
The Mother-Baby-Friendly Workplace accreditation program continues to encourage public and private sector institutions across South Cotabato to invest in designated lactation facilities, upholding labor rights and ensuring long-term health benefits for working families.
