THE district of Binondo in Manila is fortunate to be at the receiving end of at least two good things, lately.
For starters, in line with its advocacy to support and save lives through the provision of healthy breastmilk for Manila’s children, the Justice Abad Santos General Hospital (JJASGH) received a new donation of Human Milk Bank equipment. One of the six hospitals being run by the local government and serving the residents in each of Manila’s six districts, the JJASGH takes care of the third district residents, especially Binondo where it is specifically located.
The simple turnover ceremony of the Pasteurizer Model PAS10000 held at the hospital was led by Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo and JJASGH Director Dr. Merle Sacdalan-Faustino, who said that “the occasion marks the continued partnership of JJASGH and the ever-generous and compassionate Rotary Club, particularly the Rotary Club International, Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila and its member clubs all over the world.”
According to Mayor Honey, the hospital’s Milk Bank Unit has served the city for the past six years and to date, has saved 1,600 lives through the feeding of safe and healthy human breastmilk.
She said it has also secured and pasteurized a total of 1,175.49 liters of milk by tapping the community’s mothers and influencing them to donate milk for the sustenance of babies by giving incentives such as food and tokens of appreciation.
The Milk Bank Unit of JJASGH, which is headed by Faustino as head of the hospital’s executive committee and Dr. Rosita Yu, a pediatric specialist who has given her time and effort to raise the unit to greater heights, continues to encourage donors to be a part of the advocacy of breastfeeding and breastmilk sustenance for children.
Mayor Honey says that based on the data she received, the list of institutions that have tapped JJASGH’s Human Milk Bank Unit include the following: Philippine General Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, UST Hospital, MCU Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital, Laguna Doctors, FEU Medical Center, Metropolitan Medical Center, Las Piñas Doctors, Hospital of Infant Jesus, Parañaque Doctors, Delos Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center and the Sta. Ana Hospital.
She also said with pride that the JJASGH Human Milk Bank Unit has also consistently helped those in need during this COVID-19 pandemic, wherein a total of 1,078.81 liters of breastmilk have been given.
In the recent Taal Volcanic eruption, Faustino reported that JJASGH sent aid to the mothers in the form of breastmilk, as well as the very important and empowering gift — education on breastfeeding and human milk banking where at least 250 mothers were given lectures on these invaluable topics.
Mayor Honey hailed the efforts of Faustino in making the aspect of education and sharing of knowledge evident also at the OutPatient Department of JJASGH where everyday, the Human Milk Bank counselors share their expertise with the mothers so that to date, an estimated 350,000 mothers have been educated through “Mother’s Classes.”
The JJASGH Human Milk Bank Unit was established in May 2016 through the combined efforts of the JJASGH Executive Committee and its Human Milk Bank Team and through the funding and support of the Rotary International District 3810, Philippines, Rotary International District 2820, Japan, Rotary International District 3661, South Korea with contributions from Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu South, Malaysia D3310, Rotary Club of Busan Kwangbok, South Korea D3661, Rotary Club of Kaohsiung South, Taiwan D3510, Rotary Club of Tomobe, Japan D2820 and Rotary Club of Chinatown Manila D3810.
Kudos for the people behind this project!!! Indeed, there’s still no substitute for breastmilk.
Also over the weekend, Mayor Honey and Vice Mayor Yul lighted up the of San Fernando Street from San Fernando Bridge to Madrid Street in Binondo, in an effort to thwart criminality and ensure better safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
The said activity was graced by third district Congressman Joel Chua, City Engineer Armand Andres, City Electrician Randy Sadac and Manila third district Councilors Atty. Jong Isip, Tol Zarcal, Fe Fugoso, Terrence Alibarbar and Apple Nieto, among others and was highly applauded by residents who came in throngs to witness the event.
They, along with Binondo-based groups led by Nelson Guevarra of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCII) and barangay authorities headed by chairman Jefferson Lau, profusely thanked the mayor for lighting up the area, saying it gives the users a feeling of better confidence and safety.
According to Engr. Andres, the group of Engr. Sadac installed 34 set- 200watts led lights and 22 pieces of 30-foot lamp posts along the said area so that it is now well-lit.
The said area is a busy portion of Binondo where business establishments and warehouses abound.
The move to lit up the place is very timely with the onset of the ‘ber’ months leading up to Christmas, when crimes such as snatching, robbery-holdup and the like are usually at their peak.
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