Manila, PH – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) inaugurates its Lactation Room to provide privacy for the working mothers of the Institute who are still breastfeeding their young last April 19 at the ILS office in Intramuros, Manila.

ILS OIC-Executive Director Mary Grace L. Riguer, together with the officers of the ILS Gender and Development Committee (ILS-GAD) and other employees of the Institute, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, following the unveiling of its updated Mission and Vision statement.

The opening of the ILS Lactation Room is in compliance with Republic Act 10028, otherwise known as the “Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009,” which seeks to adopts rooming-in as a national policy to encourage, protect and support the practice of breastfeeding. It shall create an environment where basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding.

Section 11, Chapter III of RA 10028 mandates the establishment of Lactation Stations in all health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions, as well as the conduct continuing information, education, re-education, and training programs for physicians, nurses, midwives, nutritionist-dietitians, community health workers and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and other health worker on current and updated lactation management.

The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. For more information about ILS products and services, please visit: http://ils.dole.gov.ph or call Advocacy and Publications Division at tel.no. 527-3490.