Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma (third from left) along with Ms. Myla Gregorio (leftmost), LATCH LB Counselor, and other representatives of LATCH LB and the local government units of Cabuyao and Laguna Province, Philippines, at the opening of the Cabuyao Human Milk Donation Drive held on 20 June 2023.
CABUYAO, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) joined the Cabuyao Human Milk Donation Drive held here on 20 June 2023 as a community action partner of the nonprofit Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help Los Baños (LATCH LB) in promoting and raising awareness on breastfeeding.
The donation drive was led by the Laguna Human Milk Bank (LHMB), LATCH LB, and local government units (LGUs) of Cabuyao and Laguna, Philippines. Launched in December 2022, the LHMB provides lactation education and mother-to-mother breastfeeding counseling services. The milk facility is under the supervision of LATCH LB.
During the opening program, Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, SEARCA senior program head for Education and Collective Learning, delivered a message on behalf of SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio. She emphasized further the importance of breastfeeding in the formative years of a child, the role of mothers in promoting healthy and nutritious food, and that SEARCA is an enabler and supporter of research and programs geared toward the agri-food system.
Also present at the opening program were Ms. Teresita Ramos, Laguna Provincial Nutrition Action officer; Ms. Armi Shyr Baticados, LATCH LB coordinator; and Ms. Myla Gregorio, LATCH LB counselor.
The milk donation drive was conducted one month after holding a seminar on health and nutrition support to prepare the stakeholders for the activity. The seminar was attended by 51 barangay nutrition scholars, barangay health workers, and representatives from the City Health Office and City Health and Population Committee.
