SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES

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Third Regular Session ) |
18 AUG
SENATE 28 P5 20
s.B.no, 1955
Ain oh
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICE OFFICE
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:

“The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and |
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and development of moral
character shall receive the support of the Government”

The proposed bill seeks to provide expectant mothers assistance by providing
available services during and after pregnancy, which alleviates the social,
emotional, and financial difficulties they experience among others that lead to

abortion.
MARIA LOURDES: ICY S. BINAY

Senator



SeoarVraneune

Saaranes

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )
18 AUG 28 P5 20
SENA
s.p.no. L955
Be cD
U

Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PREGNANCY SUPPORT SERVICE OFFICE
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

&e 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 “Care for Life Act.”

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the term:

A. “Pregnancy support services” refers to services offered by the
government, faith-based, and other providers, during and after
Pregnancy, that will encourage and assist women to carry their
children to live birth by alleviating financial, social, emotional, and
other difficulties that may otherwise lead to abortion, including the
following:

1, Material assistance, including maternity and baby clothing,
diapers, baby food (including formula), and baby furniture.

2. Referrals for adoption, job training, housing, assistance with
domestic violence, and food stamps and other governmental
assistance.

3. Crisis hotlines, including for violence or suicide prevention.

4. Pro-bono obstetric and prenatal care services for women
intending to carry their children to live birth, including



service during pregnancy and following childbirth, and
neonatal care service, including referrals for such services.

. Pro-bono legal services to assist women who wish to carry

their children to live birth and parents with newborn
children.

. Child care services.

. Services to assist parents to care for, and prepare to care

for, a child with Down Syndrome or another prenatally
diagnosed condition, and to facilitate the adoption of such
children as appropriate.

. Life skills mentoring, including to enhance the following

competencies:
i, Strengthening marriage.
ii, Communication and conflict management for building
healthy marriages and families.

Decision-making and relationship-building skills prior
to marriage.

iv. High-risk behavior awareness.

9. Life-skills counseling.
B. “Secretary” refers to the Department of Health Secretary

Sec. 3. Pregnancy Support Services Office. - The Department of Health
shall establish an Office of Pregnancy Support Services which shall encourage
and assist pregnant women to carry their children to live birth by providing
services, during and after pregnancy, that will alleviate the financial, social,
emotional and other difficulties that may otherwise lead to an abortion.

Sec. 4. Pregnancy Care Information Service. ~ The Secretary shall develop
and maintain a comprehensive, publicly accessible, and user friendly database, to
be known as the Pregnancy Care Information Service, to serve as a consolidated

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Source of information on pregnancy support services. Further, it shall include
Pertinent information on the providers of the pregnancy support services listed in
the database.

Sec. 5. Annual Conference. - The Secretary shall conduct an annual
Nationwide best practices conference, gathering experts from State and local
governments, prenatal and parenting care centers, and other relevant facilities
to:

A. Share information on best practices in pregnancy support services;
and

B. Identify and address key burdens or adverse circumstances facing
pregnant women.

Sec. 6. Public Outreach. - The Secretary shall develop and implement a
Public outreach campaign to provide information on pregnancy support services
to vulnerable women, including those in low-income, urban and rural areas.

Sec. 7. Parental Care Grants to Institution of Higher Education. ~ The
Secretary may award competitive grants to institutions of higher education for
the exclusive purpose of providing pregnancy support services, which may
include:

A. Employing a registered nurse, physician assistant or physician with
specialized training in prenatal care.

8. Establishing and maintaining student outreach programs to provide
Prenatal care, parenting assistance, and student housing assistance
to the institution's pregnant and parenting students,

Sec. 8. Annual Report. ~ The Secretary shall submit an annual report to
Congress on the activities, the funds expended on such activities, and the results
achieved through such activities.



Semrvaneun

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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof,

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or
Portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,