MANILA, Philippines—Makati City is expanding its breastfeeding advocacy to 10 more barangays after successfully promoting the community-based program in eight barangays.

City officials announced that the Makati Health Department (MHD) is now training health workers and volunteers in 10 additional barangays, thanks largely to a P400,000 grant from the World Health Organization.

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Salud, city health officer and MHD chief, said the program was successfully implemented in Pembo, the pilot barangay, in 2005 and had since been replicated in seven other barangays, owing largely to the support of village officials and residents.

“The success gained by Makati in spearheading this worthy initiative in the country has given us the needed impetus to pursue its citywide promotion,” Salud said in a statement.

The program seeks to promote breastfeeding among pregnant women in the community and do away with milk formula to ensure healthier children.

Beginning this year, the MHD expanded its breastfeeding program to 10 more barangays with the help of a financial grant from the WHO, which has also extended technical assistance.

Salud said the fund is being used for training health workers and volunteers in Barangays La Paz, Singkamas, San Antonio, San Isidro, Olympia, Kasilawan, Poblacion and Sta. Cruz in District I, and Guadalupe Viejo and Pitogo in District II.

Aside from the pilot barangay, the MHD was able to set up the program in West Rembo, Pio del Pilar, East Rembo, Cembo, Palanan, Tejeros and South Cembo from 2005 to 2007, also with assistance from the WHO.

In August 2005, the city led by Mayor Jejomar Binay launched the country’s first model breastfeeding community at City Hall, which seeks to promote a “Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines.”

Scientific studies have shown breastfed children to be healthier, smarter, more immune to diseases and have a lower risk of developing diabetes, obesity and cancer later in life.