FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
7 JUL -3 n;o:Izu 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
RECEIVED BY:-&. 
1 
Senate Bill No. 708 
b 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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 future health and wellbeing 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 are 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 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
7 JUF 73 mo:413 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 7 0 8 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITING 
PROGRAM 
Be if enacted by the Senate and 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 future health and wellbeing of their newborn children. 
SEC 3. Definition 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. Eligibility 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 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 future health care for the woman 
and 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; 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 Clause.- 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 
SEC 9. Repealing Clause.- 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 I O .  Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,