THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
* 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. N’d;: 
Introduced bv Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution, Article II, 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 hture health and well- 
being of their newborn children. 
Pregnancy among unmarried teenagers is one of the most difficult and far- 
reaching social problems in our country today. 
This is generally prevalent among 
women aged 15-24 who is from the low-income bracket. Since 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 preparedness required of every parent are 
often times, wanting. 
The Department of Health provides for free prenatal and postnatal consultations 
designed to reduce the incidence of maternal and infant mortality. But due to several 
reasons, one of which is the financial difficulty encountered by the pregnant unmarried 
teenagers, pre-natal and post natal services have been ignored. 
This bill seeks to improve and expand the availability of, and access to, needed 
comprehensive maternity care services that enable pregnant adolescents to obtain proper 
care and to assist pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents to become productive 
independent contributors to family and community life. 
The early passage of this bill, therefore, is highly recommended. 
LUTSA “LOI” 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
=04 
L.JEIv 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s.Byjb “;’Q 
Introduced bv Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITING 
PROGRAM 
Be it eHacted by the Senate arzd 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“. 
SEC. 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 State must provide prenatal and postnatal maternity care services in the home 
of pregnant women in order to protect their health as well as the fkture health and 
wellbeing of their newborn children. 
SEC. 3. Dejnitzon of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
(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 
National Economic and Development Authority. 
SEC. 4. Eligrbility of Individuals. - A pregnant woman not more than 21 years 
old, or families with an infant up to the age of one (I), belonging to the low-income 
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bracket shall be eligible to receive maternal and infant care services provided under this 
Act. 
SEC. 5 Establishment of Maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting Program.. - 
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. 
SEC. 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 fbture health care for the woman and her 
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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; and 
(e) medical care or referral for medical care for the woman and her child. 
SEC. 7. Prohibition on abortion. - Any maternal and child health services which 
shall be made available under this Act shall not advocate, promote, or encourage 
abortion. 
SEC. 8. Separability C1aZcse.- If my provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Claztse.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity C2ause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Galpink disk 3/infant health program 
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