MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ Proclamation No. 884, July 29, 2005 ]
DECLARING AUGUST 1 TO 7, 2005 AS WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK
WHEREAS, the World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7 is being celebrated every year in 120 countries in support of the World Health Organizations (WHO) “Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding” and the “International Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Related Products” and subsequent resolutions of the World Health Assembly (WHA), to which the Philippines is a signatory;
WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines has two laws, Executive Order No. 51, S. 1986, known as the National Milk Code and Republic Act No. 7600, known as the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, to promote breastfeeding in accordance with its international commitments;
WHEREAS, according to WHO, breastfeeding infants provides life-long immunities from major illnesses and prevents degenerative diseases well into adulthood, and insures maternal health by protecting against hemorrhages, uterine prolapse, anemia, certain cancers, osteoporosis and other illnesses as well as by facilitating the recovery of mothers from the rigors of pregnancy and birthing, and by helping prevent closely spaced pregnancies;
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is the most far-reaching and least costly Poverty Alleviation Strategy of developing countries, especially in the Philippines where the breastfeeding culture is being diminished beyond all reason, even as it addresses the issues not only of the economy, but also of national health, ecology, empowerment of women, bonding between mother and child, love and faith;
WHEREAS, the World Alliance for Breast Feeding Action (WABA) which initiated the World Breastfeeding Week with the support of WHO and UNICEF, has urged that “no funding, donation or sponsorship from industries promoting breastmilk substitutes and related products” shall be accepted for the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, in accordance with its international standard of ethics;
WHEREAS, the Department of Health is mandated to promote, protect and defend the health of infants and children through provision of sound policies and programs for breastfeeding and young child feeding with the end goal of reducing infant and under five mortality and morbidity;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the week of August 1 to 7, 2005, as World Breastfeeding Week, in accordance with international practice, and in consonance with the international standard of ethics, to be celebrated nationwide with the participation of the Council for the Welfare of the Children, Local Government Units, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Information Agency.1aшphi1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of July in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary
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