EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 680
I Kite
\  .■ jc ofa?larp
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITATION 
PROGRAM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "The State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them."
A healthy populace starts from the very inception of life; hence the health of 
the mother and the infant is essential. The 2017 National Demographic and Health 
Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) generally reported an 
improvement in the status of maternal and infant health: infant mortality decreased, 
under-5 mortality has declined, neonatal mortality declined, high percentage of 
women are receiving antenatal care, and women who give birth in health facilities 
increased.
According to the said survey, however, "More than half of women age 15-49 
have at least one problem accessing health care for themselves. Getting money for 
treatment is the most common problem (45%). Younger women age 15-19 (64%), 
women with no education (76%), and women from the poorest households (72%) are 
more likely than the other women to report problems in accessing health care for 
themselves."


This measure provides for the "Expanded Maternal and Infant Care Act." 
Taking into consideration the aforementioned facts, it seeks to establish maternal and 
infant health home visitation program that will cater to the needs of young mothers 
and poor families. 
Among the services that they will provide are instruction and 
counselling on prenatal care, childbirth and motherhood; nutrition and general family 
counselling; and physical examination both for the mother and the infant.
This measure was approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives 
and was transmitted to this Chamber where it was sent to the Archives due to the 
adjournment of the 17th Congress.
The immediate passage of this measure is earnestly recommended.
4^
RAMO^ BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
s. No. B80
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITATION 
PROGRAM
Be it  enacted by the Senate and House o f Representative o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Expanded Maternal
2 
and Infant Care Act'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is a policy of the State to equally protect the
4 
life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In line with this policy,
5 
the State shall, in addition to maternity care services provided in health facilities,
6 
administer prenatal and postnatal maternity and infant care services under a home
7 
visitation program in order to protect the health and well-being of mother and infants.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the term "poor" shall refer
9 
to income brackets that fall below the poverty threshold defined by the Philippine
10 
Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the most recent Family Income and Expenditure
11 
Survey (FIES).
12 
Sec. 4. Establishment o f Maternal and Infant Health Home Visitation Program.
13 
-  The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall require health centers to
14 
designate an appropriate health professional or a qualified nonprofessional acting
15 
under the supervision of a health care professional who shall render maternal and
16 
infant care services in the home of eligible individuals.
17 
Sec. 5. Eligibility to A vail o f Home Visitation Services. -  A pregnant woman not
18 
more than twenty-one (21) years old, or families with an infant of up to the age of


1 
one (1) year, belonging to the low-income brackets below the poverty threshold shall
2 
be eligible to receive the maternal and infant care services provided under this Act.
3 
Sec. 6. Maternal and Infant Health Services. — The maternal and infant care
4 
services that shall be provided in the home of eligible individuals shall include the
5 
following:
6 
(a) Instruction and counselling concerning all aspects of prenatal care,
7 
childbirth, and motherhood;
8 
(b) Nutrition counselling;
9 
(c) General family counselling, including child and family development; and,
10 
(d) Physical examination or referral for further medical care for a mother
11 
and/or infant.
12 
Sec. 7. Prohibition on Abortion. -  Any maternal and infant care service which
13 
shall be made available under this Act shall not be construed to advocate, promote,
14 
or encourage abortion.
15 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
16 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
17 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
18 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
19 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
20 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
21 
accordingly.
22 
Sec. 10. 
Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
24
25 
Approved,