Executive Order (EO) 51 more commonly known as The Milk Code prohibits the donation of breastmilk substitutes including formula, powdered milk and other milk; feeding bottles, teats and commercial baby food and should not be part of general distribution of emergency food packs. The prohibition includes donations from private sector and individuals, groups and organizations. The implementation of the Milk Code and the “No Milk Donation” Policy during emergencies is made even more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many families lost their source of livelihood during the Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ due to COVID-19. This resulted to many families asking for help, particularly for food donations. Parents continuously appeal for milk formula for their infants and young children especially those who are formula fed as they cannot afford to buy milk formula during this time. Even some breastfeeding mothers also appeal for milk formula donation, apparently due to decreasing breastmilk production because of stress.

Heeding the pleas for milk donation mostly through social media, many individuals and groups donate milk and even solicit donations to give milk formula to mothers not knowing that they are breaking the law: the Milk Code. Although their intentions are good, they may be doing more harm since formula feeding poses health risks to infants and young children such as diarrhea and other infectious diseases.

Following the Guidelines on LGU Nutrition Actions relative to COVID-19 contained in the Nutrition Cluster Advisory 1, the Municipality of Pateros through its local Nutrition Cluster chaired by Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III strictly implements the Milk Code, monitors and investigates alleged violations and addresses them.

On April 7, 2020, Mayor Ponce convened the local nutrition cluster to discuss their COVID-19 nutrition response to prevent the possible worsening of the nutritional status of children particularly those below 2 years old. He also called for the strict implementation of the No Milk Donation Policy as stated in the Nutrition Cluster Advisory. The Facebook fan page “Bayanihan for Babies of Pateros” caught the attention of the nutrition cluster. The group calls for donation of milk formula, diapers, and vitamins to be given to infants and young children in the municipality. Mayor Ponce instructed the nutrition secretariat to write a letter to the group, inviting them to a meeting with the Mayor himself to discuss the alleged milk code violation.

The following day, April 8, Mayor Ponce together with Municipal Administrator Edgar Castillo and Municipal Nutrition Program Coordinator Meizl Sincuya met with the representatives of “Bayanihan for Babies of Pateros”. The group was informed of the “No Milk Donation” Policy and was advised to stop donating milk formula and instead give complementary foods approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to children aged 6 to 23 months. The group heeded Mayor Ponce’s advice. As a result of this meeting, the group agreed to become a partner of the municipal government in promoting, protecting, and supporting exclusive breastfeeding for infants 0-6 months. The group discontinued their milk donation and instead gave food packs to families with children 6-23 months old with vegetables, fruits and biscuits as complementary foods.

Another challenge encountered by the nutrition cluster was the milk donation from ABS-CBN. Initially, the powdered milk was supposed to be given to senior citizens only. However, the powdered milk was included in the general food packs since the donation received are more than the total number of senior citizens in the municipality. To ensure that the municipal government abides by the Milk Code, Mayor Ponce instructed to include a note on the food pack stating that the milk sachets are for senior citizens and are not to be given to children below 3 years old. The food packs with powdered milk were distributed only to families without children 3 years old and below.

The National Nutrition Council – NCR salutes the commitment and leadership of local chief executives such as Mayor Ike Ponce in adhering to the Nutrition Cluster Advisory #1 and in ensuring that the health and nutrition of infants and young children are safeguarded. With or without COVID-19, the milk code and the No Milk Donation policy should be strictly enforced. (Meizl Joy Sincuya/TAR/MEVF/NNC-NCR)