A new Human Milk Depot has opened at SM City Batangas, expanding access to human milk donation and breastfeeding support for mothers and infants in communities in Batangas City and nearby areas.
The facility was inaugurated during HAKAB’ TA 2026, bringing together breastfeeding mothers, healthcare professionals, government representatives, and private-sector partners around a shared goal of strengthening breastfeeding support through human milk donation.
A new milestone for breastfeeding support
For mothers who want to donate breast milk, having an accessible and trusted facility can make the process easier. For infants who need donated human milk, that access can be even more important.
The new depot at SM City Batangas provides another avenue for mothers to participate in human milk donation while helping strengthen the region’s existing breastfeeding support network.
The inauguration was held under the theme “Strengthening Breastfeeding Support through Human Milk Donation and Partnership,” highlighting the role of collaboration in making breastfeeding resources more accessible.
More mothers joining milk donation efforts
The HAKAB’ TA 2026 celebration brought together some 106 breastfeeding mothers who participated in the milk donation activity.
To date, the initiative has reached about 600 milk donors, whose contributions have helped provide nourishment to an estimated 4,000 infants across CALABARZON.
These figures illustrate how individual donations can contribute to a wider community effort supporting infants who need donated human milk.
The seventh Human Milk Depot in CALABARZON
The new facility is the seventh Human Milk Depot in CALABARZON, adding another accessible location for human milk donation and breastfeeding support.
Its establishment in Batangas City is particularly significant for mothers in the area who may otherwise have limited access to milk donation facilities.
By bringing the service closer to communities, the initiative aims to make it easier for eligible mothers to learn about donation and participate in the program.
A partnership behind the facility
The launch was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) involving representatives from local government, healthcare, and the private sector.
The MOA was signed by Batangas City Mayor Marvey Mariño, Batangas Medical Center Director Dr. Tess Torio, SM Cares for Women and Breastfeeding Mothers Program Director Atty. Pearly Joan Turley, and SM Supermalls Representative Juan Marius Cortez.
The initiative was also supported by Congresswoman Beverley Dimacuha, together with members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Vice Mayor Alyssa Cruz.
The collaboration reflects the importance of bringing different sectors together to create stronger and more accessible support systems for breastfeeding mothers and infants.
Why human milk donation matters
Breastfeeding support goes beyond encouraging mothers to breastfeed. It also involves providing access to information, healthcare guidance, community support, and resources for situations when additional assistance is needed.
Human milk donation can also help provide nourishment to infants who require donated milk, particularly those whose mothers may temporarily be unable to provide sufficient breast milk.
A dedicated depot provides an organized point for connecting donors with the healthcare professionals and systems involved in the donation process.
Turning community support into something sustainable
The growing number of donors demonstrates the willingness of mothers to contribute to a wider community effort.
According to the organizers, the initiative has already provided nourishment to an estimated 4,000 infants across CALABARZON. And with around 600 milk donors participating, the program only shows how individual contributions can create a larger impact.
The opening of the Batangas depot provides another opportunity to build on that momentum.
For breastfeeding mothers, it can serve as a more accessible point of connection. For healthcare and community organizations, it provides another avenue for strengthening awareness around human milk donation.
More than just a new facility
The opening of the Human Milk Depot at SM City Batangas represents more than the addition of another facility.
It reflects a broader effort to create communities where breastfeeding mothers have access to practical support and where infants who need donated human milk can receive help.
As the seventh Human Milk Depot in CALABARZON, the Batangas facility adds another piece to the region’s growing breastfeeding support network.
And behind every donation are mothers helping other mothers, turning a simple act of generosity into nourishment and support for infants who need it most.
