FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Sessioii 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. ,'I. 2 9 5 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 12, mandates the State to equally protect the life of 
the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In line with this provision, the State must 
provide prenatal and postnatal maternity care services in the home of pregnant teenagers in order 
to protect their health as well as the future health and well-being of their newborn children. 
Pkegiiancy among unmarried teenagers is one of the most difficult and far-reaching social 
probleins in our country today. This is generally prevalent among women aged 15-24 who are 
froin low-income bracket. Siuce it is at this stage where they are supposed to be enjoying their 
lives, their pregnancies are often considered untimely or unwanted. 
Hence, maturity and 
preparedhess required or every parent are ortentimes wanting. 
The Department of Health provides for free prenatal and postnatal consultations designed 
to reduce the incidence of maternal and infat mortality. 
This bill seeks to improve and expand the availability of, and access to, needed 
comprehensive maternity care services that enable the pregnant adolescents to obtain proper care 
and to assist pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents to become productive independent 
coutributors to family and community life.* 
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* This bill was originally filed during the Thirleenlh Congress, First Regular Session 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
i 
. . a _  
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND lNFANT HEALTH 
HOME VISITING PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Maternal and Infant Care 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to equally 
protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In line with this policy, 
the Stale must provide pre-natal and postnatal maternity care services in the home of pregnant 
women in order to protect their health as well as the future health and well-being of their 
newborn children. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health; and 
(B) “Low income” means, with respect to an individual or family with an income 
determined to be below the income official poverty line defined by the Department 
of Budget and Management 
SECTION 4. Eligibility of Individuals. - A pregnant woman, not more than twenty-one 
(21) years old, or families with an infant up to the age of one (l), belonging to the low-income 
braclcet, shall be eligible to receive maternal and infant care services provided under this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Estnblishment of Maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting Pvogram. - 
The Secretary shall require health centers to designate an appropriate health professional or a 
qualified nonprofessional acting under the supervision of a health care professional who shall 
deliver maternal and child health services in the home of eligible individuals. 
SECTION 6. Maternal and Child Health Services. - The maternal and child health 
services, which may be provided in the home to eligible individuals, shall include the following: 
(A) Instruction and counseling regarding future health care for the woman aud her child; 
(B) Nutrition counseling; 
(C) Counseling and education concerning all aspects of prenatal care, childbirth and 
motherhood; 
(D) General family counseling, including child and family development counseling; and 
(E) Medical care or referral for medical care for the woman and her child. 
SECTION 7. Pvohibition on Abortion. - Any maternal and child health services which 
shall be made available under this Act shall not advocate, promote, or encourage abortion. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise afkcted shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsisfenl 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Eflectivity Clause. - This Act shall talte effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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