𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗦𝗠 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿-𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗢𝗛 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

SM Cares, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), continues to strengthen its commitment to maternal and child health advocacy. As of March 2025, 51 out of 87 malls have been certified as Mother-Baby Friendly Workplaces by the DOH, reaffirming the company’s dedication to providing safe and inclusive spaces for mothers and their children.

Aligned with Republic Act No. 10028, the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, this milestone ensures that all SM malls meet and exceed the required standards for breastfeeding-friendly environments, setting a new benchmark for family-friendly facilities in commercial spaces

Transforming Spaces into Havens for Mothers and Infants

SM Supermalls’ commitment to inclusivity and care has proven evident in its comprehensive approach to fulfilling DOH standards. The initiative includes the following key measures:

• 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: SM malls feature safe, clean, and thoughtfully designed spaces where mothers can nurse their infants with ease and privacy. Equipped with comfortable seating, well-maintained facilities, and discreet enclosures, these stations ensure that mothers can breastfeed with confidence and comfort, promoting a stress-free experience in a supportive environment
• 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Through SM Cares Milk Depots in select malls, mothers are provided with a safe, accessible, and convenient space to donate their excess breast milk. These donations directly benefit medically vulnerable infants, particularly those in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or born prematurely, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients needed for survival and growth. By fostering a culture of care and generosity, this initiative strengthens community support for breastfeeding advocacy and maternal health.
• 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: SM malls ensure that spaces for mothers and children are accessible and thoughtfully designed to meet their needs.
• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Mall personnel receive education on breastfeeding policies and providing support to nursing mothers, furthering a culture of care.

𝗔 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗠’𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆

With a growing number of its malls certified as Mother-Baby Friendly Workplaces, SM Cares continues to advocate for greater accessibility and awareness in maternal and child health. Annually, an average of 70,000 to 100,000 breastfeeding mothers use SM Supermalls’ Breastfeeding Stations, underscoring the critical role these facilities play in supporting families across the country.

“Achieving the Mother-Baby Friendly Certification across all our malls is more than a milestone—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces for families,” shared by Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley, Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director for SM Cares Women + Breastfeeding. “This ongoing initiative reflects our firm belief that every mother deserves the support and comfort to provide the best care for her child.”

The certification also underscores SM Cares’ continuing proactive stance in educating the public about the importance of breastfeeding and human milk donation, further contributing to maternal and child health advocacy.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Through the Mother-Baby Friendly Certification and other ongoing initiatives, SM Cares continues to build inclusive communities where every mother and child feels supported and empowered. By providing safe spaces, essential resources, and advocacy-driven programs, SM Cares is creating a lasting impact on maternal and child health. With each step forward, we reaffirm our commitment to making SM malls truly “A Mall for All.”