Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines: Using Citizen Reporting to Improve Compliance to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

Abstract

Any investments in improving platforms for reporting Code violations must simultaneously be matched with investments in government capacity to process reports and enforce Code violations.n When working with multiple government agencies, a clear set of rules of procedure needs to be in place to guide the management of Code violations, provide feedback to citizen reporters on the status of their reports, and ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all levels.

Legislation on marketing of breast-milk substitutes in digital and social media: a scoping review

“…Periodic monitoring is necessary to determine compliance with the regulations53; which requires the assignment of financial resources and an entity, free of conflict of interest, in charge of this activity to ensure its implementation. In this regard, it is important to mention examples of attempts that certain countries have documented on digital media monitoring, as is the case of the Philippines or China 54 55. The Department of Health of the Philippines developed a reporting platform for citizens to report violations of the law related to BF.…”

Methodologies for Monitoring the Digital Marketing of Foods and Beverages Aimed at Infants, Children, and Adolescents (ICA): A Scoping Review

“…Unlike the monitoring system implemented by Brazil, the Philippines also has a monitoring system that allows citizens to report breastfeeding-related law violations observed on the internet and digital media. Currently, this system receives reports not only via internet connection but also through Short Message Service (SMSs) [ 85 ]. In addition to monitoring systems, awareness-raising campaigns on the marketing strategies commonly used by the food industry are needed to successfully involve the general public in the monitoring of inappropriate and unethical marketing.…”

Addressing the Global Influence of Unethical Formula Marketing

“…In a recent issue of GHSP, Reinsma et al 4 describe the evaluation of a project in the Philippines that aimed to address the gap in monitoring by building a platform that enabled reporting Code violations. As part of the project, the team provided outreach to a wide range of people including members of the community, community health workers, health care providers, breastfeeding advocates, and government agencies about the laws to help prepare for reporting violations using newly developed platforms, including a website, an app, and free short message service (SMS) messages.…”

“…While some of the challenges are due to limited resources, many complexities Reinsma et al 4 describe are embedded in deeper histories. To better understand these challenges, we must examine the long history of formula companies' efforts to assert influence.…”

“…Of course, such practices are hardly unique across settings. 10 Reinsma et al 4 demonstrate the challenges of enforcing the Code even when legal frameworks are supportive. Without adequate systems that work with and for local communities, laws remain insufficient.…”