Lucena opens first human milk hub for premature, sick infants

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Lucena City officials present the signed agreement during the launch of the city’s first community-based Human Milk H...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Lucena City officials present the signed agreement during the launch of the city’s first community-based Human Milk Hub on May 18 at the City Health Office. (Lucena City PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Human milk hubs and milk banks support newborns admitted to intensive care units, especially premature infants vulnerable to infections and malnutrition. Donated breast milk undergoes screening, processing and storage under medical safety standards before distribution to qualified recipients.

Following the growing need for safe donor milk among vulnerable infants, Lucena City opened its first community-based human milk hub on May 18 at the City Health Office. Health authorities consider donor human milk a safer alternative when a mother’s own milk remains unavailable.



Volunteer mothers donated breast milk during the facility’s formal launching activity attended by local health officials. Safe and pasteurized donor milk from the hub will support premature and sick infants requiring nutritional assistance.

Lucena City officials launched the facility with support from the Department of Health and Batangas Medical Center. A memorandum of agreement established procedures for collecting, storing and distributing donor human milk under health standards.

City Administrator Anacleto Alcala Jr., representing Mayor Mark Alcala, said the milk hub was established to help infants needing immediate nutritional support. He said the city government also aims to encourage more mothers to participate in safe breast milk donation programs.

“Malaking tulong ito para sa mga sanggol na nangangailangan ng agarang nutrisyon, lalo na iyong mga ipinanganak nang maaga o may karamdaman,” ani Alcala. “Nais din nating hikayatin ang mas maraming ina na makiisa sa ligtas na breast milk donation para makatulong sa ibang pamilya.”

Alcala added that the partnership with Batangas Medical Center would help ensure proper handling and storage of donated milk. He said maintaining strict health standards remains necessary to protect both donors and recipients.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa Batangas Medical Center, masisiguro natin na maayos at ligtas ang proseso ng pagkuha, pag-iimbak at pamamahagi ng donor milk,” dagdag niya. “Mahalaga na mapanatili ang tiwala ng publiko sa programang ito dahil buhay ng mga sanggol ang nakasalalay dito.”

A breast milk donation activity supplied the facility’s initial milk stock during the official launching program. Lucena resident Jean Darlene Robles, recognized as a “Hero Mom,” also turned over donated breast milk.

Donors later received hygiene kits from the City Health Office and the Department of Health. The program ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the human milk hub.

City Health Officer Dr. Jocelyn Chua and DOH Lucena Officer Brian Villanueva also joined the launching activity. Batangas Medical Center officials Dr. Joycelyn Mercado and Dr. Maritess Teresita Torio witnessed the agreement signing ceremony.

City councilors Benito “Baste” Brizuela Jr., Rhaetia “Sunshine” Abcede and Dr. Edwin Pureza attended the program. Local government department heads and Batangas Medical Center representatives also participated in the formal launching ceremony.

Carrying the theme “Sa Mama May Gatas at Pag-asa,” the project marks Lucena City’s first community-based facility. The local government of Lucena City said the milk hub aims to support infants requiring immediate nutritional care through donor breast milk.