Republic of the Philippines ]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [= 9
Quezon City (0 Pitee4-JUL 2043,
ae 9
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS a
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1849

Introduced by Congresswoman Lorna Quinto Velasco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution in its declaration of State Policies, provides:

“Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall
protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.
It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception.”

“Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building,
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and
men.”

Pursuant to these policies, laws have been enacted recognizing the special
needs of women both as workers and mothers. However, while these laws grant
women maternity leaves and benefits, and other financial support after they have
given birth, their failure to aid women during the course of their pregnancy is
glaringly obvious.

During pregnancy, women suffer great disability with regard their mobility.
Pregnancy causes changes in a woman's body, which temporarily compromise
their usual physical mobility. Such changes drastically affect a pregnant woman's
physical and mental constitution, which makes her situation comparable to that of
a person who suffers from a disability. Therefore, as a result thereof, the quality
of life of these women is greatly diminished. Moreover, their participation in social
life and the development of societies in which they live during this period is also
adversely affected.

Until now, there is no law conferring rights to pregnant women similar to those
given to the disabled embodied in B.P. 344 entitled, “An Act To Enhance the
Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions,
Establishments, and Other Public Utilities To Install Facilities and Other Devices.”
It is high time that we confer these rights to pregnant women as well since their



situation is comparable to disabled persons, albeit temporarily, during the
duration of their pregnancy.

It is in this light that this bill seeks to amend B.P. 344 by also conferring to
pregnant women, during the course of their pregnancy, the rights and privileges
given to the disabled.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

of Uno \
LORNA QUINTO VELASCO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo._1849

Introduced by Congresswoman Lorna Quinto Velasco

AN ACT AMENDING BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 344 ENTITLED, “AN ACT
TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS BY REQUIRING
CERTAIN BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS, ESTABLISHMENTS, AND OTHER
PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INSTALL FACILITIES AND OTHER DEVICES,” BY

CONFERRING TO PREGNANT WOMEN IN THEIR THIRD TRIMESTER THE
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THEREIN GIVEN TO THE DISABLED.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress as assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 5 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 is hereby amended to
read as follows.”
“Section 5. All the rights and privileges provided herein for the disabled
are hereby deemed applicable also to pregnant women during the
duration of the pregnancy. Provided, that a pregnant woman who wants
to avail of the benefits under this law shall secure a certification from the
Department of Health stating that she is diagnosed as pregnant.’

SECTION 2. Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 is hereby amended to
read as follows.”
“Section 6. All laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the foregoing provisions are hereby repealed
or amended accordingly.


SECTION 3. Section 7 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 is hereby amended to
read as follows.”
“Section 7. This Act shalll take effect upon its approval.”

SECTION. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders,
memoranda or circulars inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazatte or in any two (2) national newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,