Deputy Speaker and Taguig City Representative Pia S. Cayetano on Saturday joined 317 mothers in Cebu City who simultaneously breastfed their babies in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week.
The principal author of the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (RA 10028), Cayetano relayed her support to the organizers and participants of the ‘Big Latch On’ (BLO) for actively raising public awareness and promoting the culture of breastfeeding among mothers in their respective communities.
The BLO which was organized by Glory Reborn Organization with several mothers’ groups, conducted a simultaneous ‘latch on’ for one minute in several locations, including SM Seaside, SM Consolacion, and three hospitals in Cebu.
Among the laws she has sponsored as a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Cayetano said RA 10028 was among the ones she was proudest of for having a direct impact on the health and welfare of mothers and their children nationwide.
RA 10028 directs employers to provide paid lactation breaks for their nursing female employees to allow the latter to express their milk during work hours.
The establishment of breastfeeding stations, which have now become a common sight in public places like government institutions, malls, and workplaces is also mandated under the law.
She expressed optimism that the 17th Congress would soon pass the Expanded Maternity Leave Bill, a related measure which she also authored.
The Expanded Maternity Bill seeks to extend the maternity leave to 100 days which would she said would allow working mothers to have enough time to exclusively breastfeed their newborn before they report back for work. (August 9, 2018) #
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