Section 12Sec./Art. 12

A new Section 17. Is hereby added to read as follows:

"SEC. 17. Public Education and Awareness Program. - To ensure the meaningful observance of breastfeeding month as herein declared, a comprehensive national public education and awareness program shall be undertaken in order to achieve the following objectives:

"a) To protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the Philippines as the normal, natural and preferred method of feeding infants and young children;

"b) To guarantee the rightful place of breastfeeding in society as a time honored tradition and nurturing value as well as a national health policy that must be enforced;

"c) To provide information about the benefits and superiority of breastfeeding and the high risks and costs of bottlefeeding;

"d) To generate awareness on, and full enforcement of, national and international laws, codes, policies and programs on the promotion and protection of safe and adequate nutrition for infants and young children by promoting and protecting breastfeeding and regulating the marketing of certain foods and feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers; and

"e) To instill recognition and support and ensure access to comprehensive, current and culturally appropriate lactation care and services for all women, children and families, including support for breastfeeding mothers in the work force.

"The Department of Health shall lead in the implementation of the comprehensive national public education and awareness program on breastfeeding through a collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all levels."