Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1529

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to protect the right of the people toward information about
reproductive health care services.

It is observed that there is a deficiency in the dissemination of information regarding
reproductive health care information to women, Many women are not conscious of the health
care precautions that should be taken during pregnancy. This may be the reason why the
percentage of abnormal or handicapped babies is constantly increasing.

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “the State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them”, and under Section 12 of the same article the State is also mandated to equally protect the
life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. Towards this end, this measure
seeks to eradicate whatever barriers may exist that hamper access of the people to relevant and
reliable reproductive health care information, including those pertaining to family planning and
adoption servic

Hence, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

_ enna

AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.
2™ District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1520

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

AN ACT
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ABOUT
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES

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

SECTION 1. Tile. ~ This Act shall be cited as the “Women Right to Know Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the people’s right to health. Towards this end, the State shall provide relevant and
reliable reproductive health care information to women,

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act —

(1) Government authority means any authority of any branch, instrumentality,
the National Government or any local government unit.

agency of

SEC. 4. Reproductive Health Care Information. ~ Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, no government authority shall in or through any program or activity, administered or
assisted by such authority, that provides health care services or information, limit the right of any
person to provide, or the right of any person to receive, non ~ fraudulent information about the
availability of reproductive health care services, including family planning, prenatal care and
adoption serviees.

SEC. 5. 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. 6. Repeating Clause. ~ All existing laws, rules and regulations and other issuance
or portions hereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby modified, repealed or
revoked accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectvity Clause. ~ This
Official Gazette or a newspapers of gei

hall effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
eral circulation whichever comes first upon its approval.

Approved,