REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senl!te Bill No. 1256 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In "Ina at anak", a painting 'by national treasure Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, 
Pambansang Artista in Visual Arts for 1972, the mother is depicted "as one who 
will even go to the point of sacrificing her own life for the sake of her child." The 
stunning vista captured the poignant bond between mother and child. That from 
birth, the mother will painstakingly take care of her beloved infant providing him 
food, shelter and clothing. From the long hours of labor in the delivery room to 
the time of his/her education, the mother is there to offer the greatest of affection 
to her offspring. 1 
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This legislation is submitted as a paean to every Filipino mother. 
The country's maternal mortality rate (MMR) is among the highest in 
Southeast Asia at 162/100,000 childbirths as compared to Thailand and Malaysia 
with MMR of 40/100,000 livebirths. In a report of the Department of Health, many 
of our women die during delivery for lack of access to quality emergency 
obstetric care (EMOC) particularly in rural and underserved areas. 6 out of 10 
Filipinas deliver at home where they are exposed to many dangers.2 
This legislation is highlighted by the following points: 
1. The local government units are mandated to upgrade and improve 
devolved health services and medical facilities to provide quality EMOC. 
2. The LGUs shall encourage facility-based delivery among all women and 
shall retain health workers, e.g., medical doctors, nurses, and midwives, who 
deliver these health services. For the purpose, the local health clinics and health 
offices as well as the satellite offices of the Department of Health are hereby 
mandated to be of 24-hour assistance to Filipino mothers. 
3. The local government units are empowered to provide and formulate 
programs that will promote the', increase in salaries and incentives of health 
workers. 
Early cognizance of this bill is earnestly sought. 
I From the website of National Artist Fernal\do Amorsolo, paraphrased 
2 Department of Health, Sec. Francisco Duque III, August 5, 2007 


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 125 B 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF FILIPINO MOTHERS AT THE TIME OF 
THEIR CHILDBIRTH, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate in 
Congress of the Philippines assembled: 
SECTION 1. Consistent V1/ith the State policy that the State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them and the constitutional declaration that the State shall enhance the 
welfare and safety of women, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to 
provide maximum safeguarding of Filipino mothers at the time of their childbirths. 
SECTION 2. No maternity,hospital, clinic, health center, lying-in, midwifery 
facilities or similar center, public or private, shall deny or refuse to assist, admit or 
entry of a mother at the time of childbirth. They shall ensure the highest safety 
mechanism to prevent child switching, child trafficking or the commission of any 
crime that may lead to the endangering of the lives of both mother and child. 
SECTION 3. The respective local government units (LGUs) in cooperation 
with the Department of Health (DOH) are mandated to upgrade and improve 
devolved health services and medical facilities to provide quality emergency 
obstetric care (EMOC). 
SECTION 4. The local government units (LGUs) shall encourage facility-
based delivery among all women and shall retain health workers, e.g., medical 
doctors, nurses, and midwives, who deliver these health services. 
The local health clinics and health offices as well as the satellite offices of 
the Department of Health are hereby encouraged to be of 24-hour assistance to 
Filipino mothers. 
The local government units are empowered to provide and formulate 
programs that will promote the increase in salaries and incentives of health 
workers. 
SECTION 5. To complement the provisions of this Act, the Department of 
Health in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and 
the relevant organization of midwives shall professionalize further the practice of 
midwifery in the country and empower them to be key health care professionals 
1 


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in providing care to mothers and newborns and redwing maternal mortality and 
newborn mortality rates. 
' 
SECTION6, The Department of Health shall issue the necessary rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION7, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazelte or in at least two newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
2