Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our government has made commendable efforts in improving our 
healthcare system, yet significant challenges persist, particularly in the realm 
of maternal and child health. A cornerstone to addressing these challenges 
and achieving universal health coverage lies in the strategic strengthening of 
the midwifery profession.  
Midwives, as primary healthcare providers for women and newborns, are 
uniquely positioned to deliver essential, life-saving services, especially in 
geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). Their pivotal role, 
however, is often undervalued and under-resourced, highlighting an urgent 
need for comprehensive reforms to empower and expand their practice. 
Despite progress, maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the 
Philippines remain a concern. Skilled birth attendance is a key intervention 
for preventing complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives, with 
their specialized training in normal pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, 
are instrumental in ensuring safe births, identifying high-risk pregnancies, 
and facilitating timely referrals. Strengthening their presence and capabilities 
directly translates to fewer preventable deaths. 
The practice of midwifery in the Philippines is not merely a healthcare 
objective; it is a strategic investment in the nation's human capital and a 
commitment to ensuring a healthier, more equitable future for all Filipinos. By 
recognizing, empowering, and supporting its midwives, the Philippines can 
unlock significant progress in maternal and child health outcomes and build 
a more resilient and responsive healthcare system for generations to come. 
In view of the aforesaid, the approval of this measure is hereby earnestly 
sought. 
SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.       
August 5, 2025
10:25 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY AND PROFESSIONAL 
PRACTICE OF MIDWIFERY IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR A 
REVISED MIDWIFERY EDUCATION PROGRAM, REPEALING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7392, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"PHILIPPINE MIDWIFERY ACT OF 1992," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 “Philippine 
Midwifery Act of 2025”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. The State recognizes the vital role of midwives as 
primary healthcare providers, particularly in maternal, newborn, and child 
health, and in promoting the overall well-being of families and communities.  
Towards this end, the State shall: 
(a) Ensure the highest standards of midwifery education and practice;
(b) Promote the professional growth and development of midwives;
(c) Safeguard the welfare and rights of midwives;
(d) Regulate the practice of midwifery to ensure competent, ethical, and
safe delivery of midwifery services; and
(e) Foster an environment where midwives are empowered to contribute
effectively to the national healthcare system, especially in underserved
areas.
3020


SEC. 3. Definition of Terms – For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
(a) Midwifery refers to the art and science of providing comprehensive, 
continuous, and culturally sensitive care to women throughout their 
reproductive cycle, including pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and 
postpartum period, as well as care for the newborn up to six (6) weeks 
of life. It also encompasses family planning, women's health, and 
community health services, within the scope of practice defined by 
this Act.  
(b) Midwife refers to a person who is a duly registered and licensed 
professional under this Act and who possesses the qualifications 
prescribed herein.  
(c) Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery (Board) refers to the 
collegial body created under this Act to supervise and regulate the 
practice of midwifery.  
(d) Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) refers to the government 
agency created under Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the 
"PRC Modernization Act of 2000," which exercises administrative 
supervision over the Board.  
(e) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the integrated 
national organization of midwives duly accredited by the Board and 
the PRC.  
(f) Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) refers to a four (4)-year degree 
program consisting of general education and professional courses 
leading to a Bachelor's degree in Midwifery. 
 
SEC. 4.   Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery - There is hereby 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery, hereinafter referred to 
as the Board, which shall be under the administrative supervision of the PRC. 
It shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members, all of whom shall 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of at least three 
(3) nominees for each position submitted by the PRC, chosen from the APO. 
SEC. 5. Qualifications of Board Members. Each member of the Board 
must, at the time of appointment:  
(a) Be a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines;  
(b) Be of good moral character and reputation;  
(c) Be a duly registered and licensed midwife in the Philippines, except 
for one (1) member who shall be a registered obstetrician;  


(d) Have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of midwifery 
immediately prior to appointment, with at least five (5) years in a 
supervisory or administrative capacity for the Chairperson and two (2) 
midwife members;  
(e) Not be a member of the faculty, whether full-time or part-time, of 
any school, college, or university offering a midwifery program, nor have 
any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any such institution for at 
least two (2) years prior to appointment and during their incumbency;  
(f) Not have been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude. 
SEC. 6. Term of Office. The Chairperson shall hold office for a term of 
six (6) years without reappointment. Two (2) members shall serve for a term 
of four (4) years without reappointment, and the other two (2) members shall 
serve for a term of three (3) years, subject to reappointment for only one (1) 
term. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member shall be filled for 
the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member shall take the proper 
oath of office prior to assumption of duty. 
SEC. 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Board- The Board shall 
have the following powers, functions, and duties:  
(a) To supervise and regulate the practice of midwifery in the 
Philippines;  
(b) To determine and prescribe the requirements for the licensure 
examination, including the subjects, syllabi, and tables of 
specifications;  
(c) To prepare, administer, and rate the licensure examination for 
midwives;  
(d) To issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate certificates of registration 
and professional licenses for the practice of midwifery;  
(e) To adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics for midwives, and the 
Code of Technical Standards for the practice of midwifery, subject to the 
approval of the PRC;  
(f) To investigate violations of this Act, its implementing rules and 
regulations, and the Code of Ethics, and to issue subpoena ad 
testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of 
witnesses and the production of documents in connection with such 
investigations;  
(g) To hear and decide administrative cases involving the practice of 
midwifery, and to impose administrative penalties, including fines, 
suspension, or revocation of license;  


(h) To monitor and supervise the conduct of continuing professional 
development (CPD) programs for midwives;  
(i) To recommend to the PRC the accreditation of the APO;  
(j) To provide input on national and global midwifery practice to the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be considered in the 
development and periodic updating of the midwifery curriculum;  
(k) To maintain a registry of all registered and licensed midwives in the 
Philippines;  
(l) To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Compensation of the Board Members. - The Chairperson and 
members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable 
to those being received by the chairpersons and members of other professional 
regulatory boards under the PRC. 
SEC. 9. Removal of Board Members. - The President may remove any 
member of the Board for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, 
commission or toleration of irregularities in the examination, or for 
unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct, after due notice and 
hearing by the PRC. 
SEC. 10. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration to the 
practice of midwifery in the Philippines shall be required to undergo a 
licensure examination as provided in this Act. 
 
SEC. 11. Qualifications of Applicants for Examination. - An applicant for 
the midwifery licensure examination must, at the time of filing the application:  
 
(a) Be a citizen of the Philippines or a citizen of a foreign country which 
grants reciprocity in the practice of midwifery;  
 
(b) Be of good moral character;  
 
(c) Be a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) program 
from a school, college, or university recognized by the government; (d) 
Have completed the required internship or clinical experience as 
prescribed by the Board and CHED. 
 
SEC. 12. Scope of Examination. - The licensure examination for midwives 
shall cover, but not be limited to, the following subjects: ( 
 
a) Foundations of Midwifery Practice;  
 
b) Maternal and Child Health Nursing;  
 
c) Normal Obstetrics and Newborn Care;  


 
d) High-Risk Pregnancy and Complications;  
 
e) Family Planning and Women's Health;  
 
f) Community Health and Public Health Midwifery;  
 
g) Professional Ethics and Jurisprudence. 
 
The Board, subject to the approval of the PRC, may revise or add to the 
subjects listed above as the need arises, to conform with current trends and 
advancements in midwifery education and practice. 
 
SEC. 13. Rating in the Examination. To pass the examination, a candidate 
must obtain a general average of seventy-five percent (75%) with no grade 
lower than sixty percent (60%) in any given subject. 
 
SEC. 14. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional License. 
- A certificate of registration and a professional license shall be issued to 
applicants who have passed the licensure examination, subject to the 
payment of fees prescribed by the PRC. The certificate of registration shall 
bear the full name of the registrant, the serial number, the date of issuance, 
the signature of the Chairperson of the PRC and the members of the Board, 
and the official seal of the Board and the PRC. The professional license shall 
be valid for three (3) years and shall be renewed every three (3) years upon 
compliance with the required continuing professional development (CPD) 
units. 
 
SEC. 15. Refusal to Issue Certificate of Registration and Professional 
License. -  The Board shall not register and issue a certificate of registration 
and professional license to any person convicted by a court of competent 
jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or to any person 
of unsound mind. In the event of such refusal, the Board shall give the 
applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for its action. 
 
SEC. 16. Revocation or Suspension of Certificate of Registration and 
Professional License, and Cancellation of Special Permit. - The Board shall have 
the power, after due notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the certificate 
of registration and professional license of a midwife, or to cancel a special 
permit, for any of the following causes:  
 
(a) Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense 
involving moral turpitude;  
 
(b) Immoral or dishonorable conduct;  
 
(c) Gross incompetence, serious ignorance, or gross negligence in the 
practice of midwifery;  
 


(d) Malpractice or unethical conduct;  
 
(e) Fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in obtaining a certificate of 
registration and/or professional license;  
 
(f) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of midwifery;  
 
(g) Violation of any provision of this Act, its implementing rules and 
regulations, or the Code of Ethics for midwives;  
 
(g) Non-compliance with the prescribed CPD units. 
 
SEC. 17. Reinstatement of Revoked or Suspended Certificate of 
Registration and Professional License. - The Board may, after two (2) years 
from the date of revocation or suspension, reinstate a revoked or suspended 
certificate of registration and professional license upon application and for 
reasons deemed sufficient and satisfactory by the Board, and upon 
compliance with the required CPD units. 
 
SEC. 18. Scope of Midwifery Practice. The practice of midwifery shall 
include, but not be limited to, the following:  
 
(a) Providing primary healthcare services to women throughout their 
reproductive lives, including pre-conception, antenatal, intrapartum, and 
postnatal care;  
 
(b) Conducting normal deliveries and providing immediate care for the 
newborn;  
 
(c) Providing family planning services and counseling;  
 
(d) Providing basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) 
within the midwife's competency and in accordance with established 
protocols;  
 
(e) Performing physical examinations, administering medications, and 
ordering diagnostic tests as authorized by the Board and relevant health 
authorities;  
 
(f) Providing health education and counseling on maternal and child 
health, nutrition, and hygiene;  
 
(g) Collaborating with other healthcare professionals in the provision of 
comprehensive health services;  
 
(h) Engaging in midwifery education, research, and administration. 
 
 


The Board, in consultation with the APO and other relevant stakeholders, 
shall issue comprehensive guidelines on the specific procedures and 
interventions that fall within the scope of midwifery practice, consistent with 
national health policies and international standards. 
 
SEC. 19. Midwifery Education.  
 
(a) Curriculum. The midwifery education program shall be a four (4)-year 
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) degree program. The CHED, in 
coordination with the Board, shall prescribe the minimum curriculum 
for the BSM program, which shall include general education and 
professional courses, and sufficient clinical and community health 
experiences.  
(b) Accreditation of Schools. All schools, colleges, and universities offering 
the BSM program must be duly recognized and accredited by the CHED. 
 
(c) Transition for Diploma Holders. Midwives who have obtained a 
diploma in midwifery and are duly registered and licensed under 
Republic Act No. 7392 shall be granted a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery 
(BSM) degree equivalence, provided they meet the following conditions:  
 
(1) Have at least five (5) years of active practice as a registered midwife;  
 
(2) Have completed relevant continuing professional development  
(CPD) programs as may be prescribed by the Board;  
 
(3) Other conditions as may be determined by the Board to ensure 
competency and alignment with the BSM curriculum. The Board, in 
coordination with CHED, shall formulate the specific guidelines for 
the granting of this degree equivalence, including any necessary 
bridging programs or assessments. 
 
SEC. 20. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawful for any person to:  
 
(a) Practice midwifery in the Philippines without a valid certificate of 
registration and a professional license issued by the Board;  
 
(b) Use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration or professional 
license;  
 
(c) Impersonate a registered midwife or use the title "midwife" or 
"registered midwife" or any similar designation without being duly 
authorized;  
 
(d) Present or use a false or forged certificate of registration, professional 
license, or special permit;  
 
(e) Obtain a certificate of registration or professional license through 
fraud or misrepresentation;  


 
(f) Allow another person to use his/her certificate of registration or 
professional license;  
 
(g) Practice midwifery beyond the scope of practice as defined in this Act 
and its implementing rules and regulations;  
 
(h) Any other act that violates the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 21. Penalties. - Any person who violates any of the provisions of 
this Act shall, upon conviction, suffer a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand 
Pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P100,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than 
seven (7) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
 
SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, subject to the approval of the PRC, 
and in consultation with the CHED, the Department of Health (DOH), and the 
APO, shall formulate and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is declared invalid, the 
remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other persons or 
circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SEC.  24. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 7392, otherwise known 
as the "Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992," and all other laws, decrees, orders, 
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC.  25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,