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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10059 
Introduced by Representatives EDVIC G. YAP, ERWIN T. TULFO and 
JOCELYN P. TULFO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Among the State policies accorded in the 1987 Constitution is the protection of the life of the 
mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In pursuit of the said Constitutional 
guarantee, Antenatal Care (ANC), or commonly known as prenatal care, is given high regard 
in the country, making it an essential mandatory preventive care provided regularly to 
pregnant women by allowing doctors, nurses, and midwives to identify, prevent and treat 
potential health problems throughout the pregnancy. However, in February 2023, the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports that 2,478 Filipino women died of maternal 
causes in 2021, resulting to a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 189.21 per 100,000 live births. 
The Department of Health cites that poverty, distance, lack of information, inadequate 
services, and cultural practices are the common factors that prevent women from receiving 
or seeking care during pregnancy and childbirth in the country. It is important to take note 
that Antenatal Care (ANC) includes the preparation of childbirth, which does not only 
include hospital care but also maternity supplies needed by both the mother and the child.  
Expectant mothers are not only burdened by the exorbitant costs of child delivery but also 
the prospective costs of the child’s needs after delivery. It is in this regard that this bill seeks 
to establish the Maternity Kit for Pregnant Filipino Women Program which may be availed 
of by expectant mothers who have already been identified as poor or near-poor based on the 
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Standardized Targeting System under Republic Act No. 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang 
Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, thereby affording protection to both the mother and child and 
mitigating the burden due to the expensive child birth costs. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDVIC G. YAP 
HON. ERWIN T. TULFO 
HON. JOCELYN P. TULFO 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No.  10059 
Introduced by Representatives EDVIC G. YAP, ERWIN T. TULFO and 
JOCELYN P. TULFO 
    AN ACT 
MANDATING THE PROVISION OF MATERNITY PACKAGES TO PREGNANT 
FILIPINO WOMEN BELONGING TO THE LOW-INCOME GROUP, PROVIDING 
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 "Maternity Kit for 
Pregnant Filipino Women Act of 2024." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the role of women in nation-
building. Further, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to 
health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other 
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the 
needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. Finally, the 
State shall endeavor to provide medical care to paupers.  
SEC. 3. Maternity Kit for Pregnant Filipino Women Program. – This Act hereby 
establishes the Maternity Kit for Pregnant Filipino Women Program which may be 
availed of by expectant mothers who have already been identified as poor or near-poor 
based on the Standardized Targeting System under Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise 
known as the "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act." In order to qualify, 


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pregnant women must avail of pre-natal services, give birth in a health facility attended 
by a skilled health professional, and receive post-partum care and post-natal care for her 
newborn.  
The maternity package / kit, to be distributed once free of charge to qualified 
beneficiaries, shall contain necessary items such as a blanket, diapers, gauze, towels, 
nappies, bedding, cloth / fabric (which could be used to make clothing for the baby) and 
child care products. The contents of the package shall be updated by the implementing 
agency every two (2) years. 
 
            SEC. 4. Objectives of the Program. - The Program shall have the following 
objectives: 
(a) Improve prenatal care for poor or near-poor pregnant Filipino women: 
(b) Reduce child mortality, especially for those belonging to families in the low-
income group; and 
(c) Empower women to perform their role, more meaningfully, in nation-building. 
 
            SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) shall serve as the central planning, implementing and monitoring 
body of the Program. 
 
            SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
            SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the 
approval of this Act, the DSWD shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation hereof.  
 
            SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions not so affected. 
 


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            SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
 
            SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
Philippines. 
 
Approved,