THE Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) management recently reopened the lactation room at the corporate office building as part of the Gender and Development projects of the agency for lactating mothers among its employees.

CIAC President Aaron Aquino said the private space lactation room was built in 2016 and in September 2020 ordered the improvement of its facilities.

“CIAC is a nursing mother-friendly environment so necessary equipment and supplies like breast pumps, milk storage bags, mini-refrigerator, portable sink, hand sanitizers and sterilizers are in place here for staff who are nursing mothers and simultaneously reporting for work,” Aquino said.

The improved lactation room is also open for visitors that may need such a facility provided that health and safety protocols are followed, he said.

The nursing or lactation room is a need for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace as medical studies have proven that mothers’ breast milk gives babies the ideal nutrition.

Republic Act 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, was signed in 2009 to support, protect and encourage women who are breastfeeding, especially working mothers.