SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodrigu
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo. 2510

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Philippines Constitution mandates the
State to equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception. In line with this provision, the State must provide prenatal and
postnatal maternity care services in the home of pregnant teenagers in order
to protect their health as well as the future health and wellbeing of their
newborn children.

Pregnancy among unmarried teenagers is one of the most difficult and
far-reaching social problems in our country today. This is generally prevalent
among women aged 15-24 who are from the low-income bracket. Since it is at
this stage where they are supposed to be enjoying their lives, their
pregnancies are often considered untimely or unwanted. Hence, maturity and
preparedness required of every parent are often times, wanting,

The Department of Health provides for free prenatal and postnatal
consultations designed to reduce the incidence of maternal and infant
mortality. But due to several reasons, one of which is the financial difficulty
encountered by the pregnant unmarried teenagers, pre-natal and post natal
services have been ignored.

This bill seeks to improve and expand the availability of, and access to,
needed comprehensive maternity care services that enable pregnant
adolescents to obtain proper care and to assist pregnant adolescents and
adolescent parents to become productive independent contributors to family
and community life

The early passage of this bill therefore is highly recommended

RUFPS B. RODRIGUEZ

wom foese JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2510

House Bill No.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITING
PROGRAM

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Maternal and
Infant Care Act”.

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to
equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception. In line with this policy, the State must provide prenatal and
postnatal maternity care services in the home of pregnant women in order to
protect their health as well as the future health and wellbeing of their newborn
children

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:
a) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health
b) ‘Low income” means, with respect to an individual or family with
an income determined to be below the income official poverty
line defined by the National Economic and Development
Authority.

SEC 4. Eligibility of Individuals. - A pregnant woman not more than 21
years old, or families with an infant up to the age of one (I), belonging to the
low-income bracket shall be eligible to receive maternal and infant care
services provided under this Act.

SEC 5, Establishment of Maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting
Program. - The Secretary shall require health centers to designate an
appropriate health professional or a qualified nonprofessional acting under the
supervision of a health care professional who shall deliver maternal and child
health services in the home of eligible individuals.

SEC 6. Maternal and Child Health Services. - The maternal and child-health
services which may be provided in the home to eligible individuals shall
include the following:


a) instruction and counseling regarding future health care for the
woman and her chil

b) nutrition counseling:

¢) counseling and education concerning all aspects of prenatal
care, childbirth, and motherhood;

d) general family counseling, including child and family
development; and

e) medical care or referral for medical care for the woman and her
child.

SEC 7. Prohibition on abortion. - Any maternal and child health service
which shall be made available under this Act shall not advocate, promote, or
encourage abortion

SEC 8. Separability Clause - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting

SEC 9. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 10. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,