MESSAGE

Navigating Complementary Feeding with Continuing Breastfeeding for First-Time Moms

July 24, 2023

Maysa a nasustansia a bigat tayo amin a sangapada.

My warmest felicitations to one and all.

The state of health emergency is over as declared by the World Health Organization. This was
achieved because we adopted all necessary measures as allowed by circumstances, to meet
the novel demands of healthcare. However, at present, our province is facing a pressing
conundrum on stunting. And today, we are gathered together to provide ourselves with a time-
bound opportunity to strengthen our joint efforts and embrace a reinforced paradigm in attaining
proper nutrition as vital components of our advocacy on the First 1000 days and the Sustainable
Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Our training for the first 2 days focuses on navigating
complementary feeding with continuing breastfeeding for first-time moms.

The 1000 days from pregnancy to age two offer a crucial window of chance to create brighter,
healthier futures. It is a time of tremendous potential and enormous vulnerability. How well or
how poorly mothers and children are nourished and cared for during this time has a profound
impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive. And with Sustainable Development Goal 2 at
heart, which aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, it commits to universal access to
safe, nutritious and sufficient food throughout the year.

As Doctor-to-the-Barrio, I am one with you in serving the Ilocanos with compassion and
purpose, wherever they may be. A holistic and interdisciplinary approach seems to be the only
way to achieve a truly sustainable and inclusive global nutrition system. We hope that this
nutrition month celebration, particularly this event, will underpin the efforts by the national and
local communities, health staff, and key stakeholders in their joint endeavor towards better
nutrition and health for the people of Ilocos Norte, for the people of Currimao.

Agtitinnulong tayo para mapabileg ti nutrision ti maysa ken maysa nga agnanaed ti Norte.
Our new DOH Secretary’s Dr. Ted Herbosa once said when he received his COVID-19 bivalent
vaccine at the Philippine Heart Center, BBM, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga. But with today’s
undertaking, I will use the same acronym, BBM – Bawat Buntis Mahalaga, Bawat Babaeng Ina
Mahalaga, Bawat Bata Mahalaga, but most importantly, BBM, Basta Breastfeeding Masapul.

Muli, maraming salamat, para sa Healthy Pilipinas.

Agbiag Ilocos Norte. Para ti narimat a salun-at dagiti taga Currimao.
Naimbag a bigat tayo amin.