SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Fir'st Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 1263 
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Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Statistics Office reported that more and more young women, particularly 
tcenagers, are giving birth and becoming mothers at an early age. In 2010, a total of two 
hundred seven thousand eight hundred ninety eight (207,898) mothers aged twenty and below 
gave birth, compared to one hundred twenty six thousand twenty five (126,025) in 2000'. 
To ease the burden of young child-bearing women, the proposed law seeks to establish refugc 
and medical assistance centers all over the country. The center will serve as a temporary 
shelter to pregnant women, who by reason of their youth, need protection and assistance of 
the State. The proposed bill likewise aims to provide young women medical assistance and 
guidance in child-care and selt~enhancement, as well as livelihood generation. 
The provision of the proposed law is consistent with the policy of the State recognized in 
Section 3, Article XV of the Philippine Constitution which provides that: "the State shall ... 
defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special 
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions 
prejudicial to their development. It is likewise a recognition of women's fundamental role in 
nation-building as declared in Article II, Section 14 of the Philippine Constitution. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
1'1 ~ 
Senator 
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· SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENAT~ , 
S.B. No.1 63 
RECkT " '1/ BY; 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Bmay 
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AN ACT ESTABLISHING REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG PREGNANT 
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WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING 
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FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title, This Act shall be known as the "Young Women's Refuge and 
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Assistance Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the 
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dignity of young women and recognize their fundamental role in nation-building, Towards 
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this end, the State shall protect and promote the physical, moral, and social well-being of 
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young women by providing them with facilities and opportunities that will enhance their 
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welfare and assist them in their endeavors with a goal to help them realize their full potential 
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in the service of the nation. 
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SECTION 3. Establishment of Refuge and Assistance Centers. In order to carry out the 
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above-declared policy, there shall be established in every province and city all over the 
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country Refuge and Assistance Centers for Young Pregnant Women (hereinafter referred to 
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as the "Centers"). 
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SECTION 4. Beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of this law shall include all young women who 
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are twenty one years (21) of age and below who are. pregnant, or who suffered a miscarriage 
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or abortion, and their children. 
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SECTION 5. Rejilge and Assistance Center. The Centers shall be under the management and 
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supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development ("DSWD") with the 
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coordination and assistance of the Depal1ment of Health ("DOH"). The Centers shall be 
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headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the' President of the Philippines. 
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Directors of the Centers shall hold a masters or doctorate degree in Social Work or 
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Community Development or similar courses and shall have a minimum experience of five (5) 
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years in counseling, social and psychological services and other related field or experience. 
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Each Center shall have the following personnel: (a) at least one doctor or midwife; and (b) 
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such other personnel necessary to provide assistance to the beneficiarics of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Functions of the Centers. The Centers shall have the following functions: 


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a) 
to provide temporary shelter and refuge to beneficiaries of this Act; 
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b) 
to provide free medical assistance, including monthly pre-natal checkup, or such other 
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care for young women to prevent potential risks from child-bearing, and all other 
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medical services for childbirth and delivery, and provide them free pre-natal vitamin 
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and other medication; 
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c) 
to undertake programs geared towards the development of maternal and child health 
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care, self-enhancement and the development of skills for livelihood generation, social 
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communication, and other related skills which will help women and children to become 
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productive members of society; and 
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d) 
to perform such other function as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 7. Rehabilitation and Development Program. The DSWD in coordination with 
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DOI-I shall, within ninety (90) days trom the approval of this Act, formulate a program for 
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the rehabilitation, development and protection of young women and children. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DSWD in coordination with DOH 
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shall issue the nccessary implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months from the 
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approval of this Act. 
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SECTION. 9. Funding .and Appropriations .. The amount necessary for the effective 
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implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the DSWD under the 
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current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the 
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continued operation and maintenance of the Centers shall be included in the regular 
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appropriations for the DSWD in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
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that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modificd 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION n. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any section or part of this Act is held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved,