Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILL NO. H8
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The promotion of general welfare of the public and the protection of the right to
health of the people are two mandates of the State enshrined in our Constitution.
As such, it is our duty to provide for the general welfare and public convenience
to the people.
Baby diaper-changing stations are inaccessible in most establishments and offices;
if any, stations are usually found exclusively in women's restrooms. Parents are
thereby forced to change their children's diapers on the sink of a public restroom
if they cannot wait to change these at home. This practice is not hygienic and
makes other uncomfortable to use the public restroom. Moreover, to have diaper-
changing tables located only in female restrooms fails to consider that even men
are or should be involved in taking care of children.
This bill was originally filed by then Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the
16th  Congress.  Further,  the  passage  of  this  measure  will  require  all  major
establishments and government offices to have a designated area to be used as
baby diaper-changing stations accessible to both women and men.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
wth


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOusE BILL No. 9678
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR DIAPER-CHANGING STATIONS IN ALL MAJOR
ESTABLISHMENTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Be it enacted by the  Senate and House of Rapresentatives of the  Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1      Section 1. Sho7`£ Tc.#c -This Act shall be known and cited as the ``Diaper-Changing
2      Stations Act''.
3
4      Sec2. Def inition of Terms -
5            (a) Diaper{hanging station -shall mean a designated area where a person can
6      change the diaper of a child.  It shall be gender-neutral and separate from the
7      existing restrooms of the establishment or office. The station shall accommodate
8      at least a 20-pound child and shall have an appropriate trash bin for the disposal
9      of diapers. It shall also have hand-washing facilities, in good repair.
1o            a) Major  establishments  -shall  mean malls,  shopping  centers,  theaters  or
11      movie houses, convention centers, sports arenas, auditoriums, cultural complexes,
12      exhibition halls, permanent amusement parks, health facilities, restaurant that can
13      seat  50  people  or  more,  and  establishments  measuring  two  thousand  three
14      hundred  (2,300)  square  meters  or more.  This does  not apply  to an industrial
15      building or to a nightclub or bar that does not permit anyone who is under 18 years
16      of age to enter the premises.


1            (c) Government offices -shall mean all local and national government offices,
2      agencies, and government owned and controlled corporations.
3
4      Sec 3. J# Gc7zcrtzJ -There shall be at least one safe, sanitary, and convenient baby
5      diaper-changing station that is accessible to restrooms used exclusively by women
6      and  restrooms  used  exclusively  by  men,  or  at  least  one  safe,  sanitary,  and
7      convenient  baby  diaper{hanging  station  that  is  accessible  to  both  men  and
8      women in all major establishments and government offices.
9
10      Sec 4. £xceptr.o7zs - This provision shall not apply to a restaurant with a seating
11      capacity of 50 people, if there is a safe, sanitary, and convenient centrally located
12      baby diaper-changing station within the establishment or government offices.
13
14      Sec 5. P€7i¢Jfe.es -Major establishments that fail to comply with the provisions of
15      this Act within one (1) year from its enactment shall be meted with a warning.
16      Major establishments that fail to comply with the provisions of this Act six (6)
17      months after being issued a warning, shall pay two thousand pesos (2,000.00)
18      every succeeding month until compliance is made.
19
20      Sec  6.  Sapflrflbz.Zz.fy  Cha#se  -  If  any  provision  or  part  hereof  is  held  invalid  or
21      unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
22      shall remain valid and subsisting.
23
24      Sec 7. Rapc¢Ji.7zg a¢wsc -Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
25      letter  of  instruction,  administrative  order,  rule  or  regulation  contrary  to  or
26      inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
27      amended accordingly.
28
29      Sec  8.  £#€ch.zH.fy  CZ¢„se  -  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
3o      publication in the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
31
32
33      Approved,