NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 797
of t\]t ^.; r, rtan>
*22 JUL25 A10:28
RECEIVED By:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HOME VISITATION PROGRAM, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article II, Section 12 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 poor families. Since it is at this stage where they 
are supposed to be enjoying their lives, their pregnancies are often considered 
untimely and/or unwanted. Hence, maturity and preparedness required of every 
parent are often times, wanting.
The Department of Health (DOH) 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 and independent contributors to family and community life.
Hence, passage of this important measure is earnestly sought.
Jll^GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
) Senator


.•rr;r?v
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 797
of tljp ^-i cvffrtru
'22 JUL25 A10:28
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HOME ^ISITiNG PROGRAM 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as thexxMaternal and Infant
2 
Care Act.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to equally
4 
protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In line with
5 
this policy, the State must provide prenatal and postnatal maternity care services In
6 
the home of pregnant women In order to protect their health as well as the future
7 
health and wellbeing of their newborn children.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
9 
mean:
10 
a) Secretary - refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH)
11 
b) Poor - shall refer to low-income brackets that fall below the poverty threshold
12 
defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the most recent
13 
Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES).
14 
Sec. 4. Eligibility of Individuals. - A pregnant woman not more than twenty-one
15 
(21) years old, or families with an infant of up to the age of one (1), belonging to the
16 
low-income bracket shall be eligible to receive maternal and infant care services
17 
provided under this Act.
1


1 
Sec. 5. Establishment of Maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting Program. -
2 
The Secretary shall require health centers to designate an appropriate health
3 
professional or a qualified nonprofessional acting under the supervision of a health
4 
care professional who shall deliver maternal and child health services in the home of
5 
eligible individuals.
6 
Sec. 6. Maternal and Child Health Services. - The maternal and child-health
7 
services which may be provided in ti ie home to eligible individuals shall include the
8 
following:
9 
a) instruction and counseling regarding future health care for the woman and
10 
her child;
11 
b) nutrition counseling;
12 
c) counseling and education concerning all aspects, of prenatal care, childbirth,
13 
and motherhood;
14 
d) general family counseling. Including child and family development; and
15 
e) medical care or referral for nedical care for the woman and her child.
16 
Sec. 7. Prohibition on abortion. - Any maternal and child health services which
17 
shall be made available under this Act shall not advocate, promote, or encourage
18 
abortion.
19 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or provision of this Act is declared
20 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected
21 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
22 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
23 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
24 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
25 
accordingly.
26 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Ciause.-l\\\s Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the
27 
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,