Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4870

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the United Nations, the Philippines is the only country in the world
whose rate of teenage pregnancies has risen over the last two decades. One in ten
young Filipino women between 15 to 19 years old is either already a mother or
pregnant with her first child?

Pregnancy at a young age poses critical health risks to both the mother and the
unborn child. These include inadequate nutrition, complications, premature birth, fetal
death and maternal death.

Thus, the State must exert all efforts not only to curb the alarming rate of teenage
pregnancy in the country but also to ensure that the young mothers’ holistic welfare is
protected so they can be productive contributors to the nation’s development.

This bill seeks to establish Refuge and Assistance Centers for Young Pregnant
Women in all provinces, cities, and municipalities, which will provide medical
assistance, guidance, and livelihood generation for young mothers in the country.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARG:

* Rahman, S. “Philippine teen pregnancy rates defy trend.” Al Jazeera.
[http://www aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/philippine-teen-pregnancy-rates-defy-trend-
160228181232852.htmi] Retrieved 16 January 2017.

ine Statistics Authority. 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey.
{ntepsi//psa.gov.ph/content/one-ten-young-filipino-women-age-15-19-already-mother-or-pregnant-first-chld
final-results] Retrieved 16 January 2017.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4870

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING A REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR YOUNG PREGNANT
‘WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY OF THE PHILIPPINES,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 “Young Women’s Refuge
and Assistance Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value
the dignity of young women and recognize their fundamental rule in nation-building.
Towards this end, the State shall protect and promote the physical, moral, and social
well-being of young women by providing them with the facilities and opportunities that
will enhance their welfare and assist them in their endeavours with a goal to help them
realize their full potential in the service of the nation.

Sec. 3. Establishment of Refuge and Assistance Centers. - In order to carry out the
above-declared policy, there shall be established Refuge and Assistance Centers for
Young Pregnant Women (thereinafter referred to as the “Centers") in every province,
city and municipality all over the country.

Sec. 4. Beneficiaries. - The beneficiaries of this law shall include all young women
who are twenty-one (21) years of age and below who are pregnant, or who suffered a
miscarriage or abortion, and their children.

See. 5. Refuge and Assistance Center. - The Center shall be under the management
and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the
coordination of assistance of the Department of Health (DOH). The Center shall be
headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines. The Director of the Center shall hold a masters or doctorate degree in Social
Work or Community Development or similar courses and shall have a minimum
experience of five (5) years in counselling, social and psychological services and other
related field or experience.


Each Center shall have the following personnel (a) at least doctor or midwife,
and (b) such other personnel necessary to provide assistance to the beneficiaries of this
Act.

Sec. 6. Functions of the Centers. - The Centers shall have the following functions.

(a) To provide temporary shelter and refuge to beneficiaries of this Act;

(b) To provide free medical assistance, including monthly pre-natal check-up,
or such other care for young women to prevent potential risks from child-
bearing, and all other medical services for childbirth and delivery, and
provide them pre-natal vitamin and other medication;

(0) To undertake programs geared towards the development of maternal and
child health care, self-enhancement and the development of skills for
livelihood generation, social communication, and other related skills
which will help women and children to become productive members of
society; and

(d)to perform other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.

Sec. 7. Rehabilitation and Development Program. - The DSWD in coordination
with DOH shall, within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, formulate a
program for the rehabilitation, development and protection of young women and
children.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD in coordination with
DOH shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months
from the approval of this Act.

Sec. 9. Funding and Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the DSWD under
the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for
the continued operation and maintenance of the Centers shall be included in the regular
appropriations for the DSWD in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with this Act, are hereby
modified or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. ~ If for any reason, any section or part of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,