SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
,-Srmitr 
<01/,,, "11~.,)"'''I''1r 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
AUG 15 P3 :16 
SENATE 
S.No. 101.6 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a country saddled with poverty such as the Philippines, women's issues as common as 
menopause are not given attention by the government. As every woman undergoes this pivotal 
stage in her lifecycle, it is important that she is educated on the consequent physical, mental, and 
emotional changes so as to continuously inform her about her health and well-being. It is a fact 
that most women, especially indigent women who have no access to information widely 
available on the internet, enter into' menopause' without a grain 'of idea how to cope with its . 
effects. 
The 1987 Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
This bill requires the Department of Health and local health departments to implement a 
stronger information campaign to the public and health care professionals about menopause, its 
effects, and how women can cope throughout this period. 
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MIRIAM DEF NSOR s1lliTI/JO 
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Sem.dl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(0tfl;r n1 Hi" ;J.('t'ft't", 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
~OG 15 P 3 :16 
SENATE 
S. No. 1316 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM ON MENOPAUSE AND 
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HOW WOMEN CAN COPE WITH THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL 
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CHANGES AS A CONSEQUENCE THEREOF AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Information 
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Program on Menopause." 
,'" " '.', 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect aud promote the right to 
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health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State shall promote the 
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well-being of women as they playa myriad of roles in society - as mother, wife, and as part of 
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the labor force, among others. Menopause is a vital stage in every womau' s life and its effects 
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cut across a woman's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Hence, the State must take 
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cognizance of this impo~tant issue among middle-age women and give attention to the proper 
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education of women on this matter. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes ofthis Act, the following terms: 
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A. 
"DOH" - shall refer to the Department of Health; 
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B. 
"PIA" - shall refer to the Philippine Information Agency; 
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C. 
"Menopause" - is the day after a womau's final period. This date is fixed 
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retrospectively, once twelve (12) months have gone by with no menstrual flow at all. At this 
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point a woman is considered to be a year into postmenopause, is considered to be infertile, and 
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no longer needs to take into consideration the possibility of pregnaucy; and 
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D. 
"Post menopause" - all of the time in a woman's life that take place after her last 
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period, or more accurately, all of the time that follows the point when her ovaries become 
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inactive. 
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SECTION 4. National Information Program on Menopause - The DOH shall distribute 
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to the public and to health care professionals: 
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A. 
Medically accurate information about menopause 
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1. The expected physical, mental and emotional effects of menopause. 
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2. The causes of the onset of menopause and its consequence to their 
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reproductive health. 
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B. 
Hormonal and other supplements to reduce the impact of menopause on women's 
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health. 
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C. 
The information referred to above shall be distributed 
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1. free of charge; 
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2. provided in English, Filipino, as well as other dialects that may be appropriate 
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for the geographic area. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Agency. -
The Department of Health (DOH), in cooperation 
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with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is hereby authorized and directed to adopt a 
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system to implement and carry out the provisions of this Act. The Secretary of Health shall, 
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within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations to carry 
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out and enforce the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. -. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. EffectiVity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
'I" 
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