Valenzuela City government hosts a Milk-Letting Activity in support of families, particularly mothers. (Photo Courtesy: Valenzuela PIO) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The City Health Office (CHO) of Valenzuela on Wednesday, August 30, organized a Breastmilk Letting Activity and Family Planning Caravan aimed at improving the state of family health at a local level. 

A total of 120 participants gathered in the milk-letting activity to tackle shared breastfeeding experiences and knowledge as a way of integrating support to mothers for nurturing well-nourished children. 

The Quezon City General Hospital Human Milk Bank aided in the program by distributing rice packs for mothers while the local government provided an incentive amounting to P2,000 to the participant who donated the most amount of breastmilk.

On the other hand, the caravan inclined towards spreading key information and awareness regarding breast and cervical cancer, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), and modern family planning methods in promotion of preventive health care. Family planning services and booths offering educational resources were also made available for the use of participants in making informed choices. 

Valenzuela CHO Officer Dr. Marthony Basco cited the importance of catering to the well-being of families in pursuit of a responsive, assistive, and inclusive local healthcare system. 

“Mahirap po magpalaki at mag-alaga ng maraming anak kaya naman inilunsad natin ang Family Planning Caravan para protektado ang Pamilyang Valenzuelano. Hindi lamang protektado, kundi ang iniisip natin ay ang inyong kinabukasa. Kapag alaga ang magulang, alaga ang pamilya, kaya naman dito sa Valenzuela, inaalagaan kayo (It is a challenge to raise and take care of children that is why we launched the Family Planning Caravan to ensure the protection of Pamilyang Valenzuelano. If parents are well-taken care of, families are also treated with the best care that is why here in Valenzuela, you are catered for),” said Basco.

The following health care initiatives were led by Valenzuela First Lady Tiffany Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, and City Councilors Louie Nolasco and Niña Lopez. (Valenzuela PIO/PIA-NCR)