Palo, Leyte-Considering the declining proportion of mothers exclusively breastfeeding their infants, the Department of Health -Center for Health Development Eastern Visayas (DOH CHD-EV) re-convened and re-organized Regional Breastfeeding Task Force (TF) through DOH EV CHD Special Order No. 141 dated 10 June 2021.

The re-organization of the Regional Task Force is in response of the government’s effort to strengthen the implementation of the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Program. The program is being recognized as a major strategy to improve child survival and development. It is also mandated under Executive Order (EO) 51 or otherwise known as the Philippine Milk Code.

The primary function of the TF is to oversee and monitor overall program implementation of IYCF-Breastfeeding.

The membership of the TF included among others DOH-CHD8 both from the Family Health Unit and Licensing and Enforcement Division, National Nutrition Council 8, Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC), Harmonized Initiative of Media in the Spread of Good Nutrition 8 (HIMSOG8)- media arm of NNC, Regional Federated Presidents of both Eastern Visayas Association of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (EVA-BNS) and Brgy. Health Workers, Regional Presidents of Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Obstetric and Gynecology Society (POGS), Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP), Nutritionist and Dietitian Association of the Philippines (NDAP), Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP), all Eastern Visayas Chapter.

Moreover, the specific roles and functions of the TF is to: a) oversee the overall implementation and adoption of IYCF-BF policies; b) provide technical support in the formulation of plans, procedures and protocols to implement IYCF-BF policy and guidelines; c) provide and implement mechanisms of coordination and collaboration of hospitals, LGUs, partners and other stakeholders; d) provide technical assistance to LGUs and other implementing agencies; e) assist in capacity development of LGUs and other stakeholders on IYCF-BF Program; f) advocate to LGUs and other stakeholders to support implementation of IYCF-BF policies; and g) support monitoring and evaluation activities to include compliance to EO 51, R.A 10028 and other policies.

IYCF and breastfeeding are part of the nutrition specific program enshrined in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, the country’s blueprint in nutrition implementation.

The re-organization of the TF is a jumpstart to scaling up nutrition interventions along breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding in the region. #NPC CPDotollo