FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 948 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the goal of this legislative measure to mainstream and promote the rights of 
our children and babies by promoting a culture that is sensitive and responsive to their 
needs. 
At present, there are a few baby-friendly places where mothers could comfortably 
care for their babies and address their baby's needs. This poses a problem for mothers 
who bring along their babies to malis, department stores, entertainment centers and 
public food chains because many of these establishments do not have the necessary 
baby friendly facilities and baby diaper-changing tables. Hence, there is need for the 
State to mandate the construction of these baby-friendly facilities in these institutions in 
order to promote a culture that is responsive the vision of the UN Convention on the 
Rights of thEl Child. 
F or this purpose, this bill mandates that public-serving establishments should 
establish baby-friendly facilities in their duly designated restrooms and sanitary facilities 
so that mothers could easily address the needs of their babies while inside these 
building and facilities, This measure is also consistent with the goal to empower our 
mothers to address the needs of their babies, particularly when these mother bring their 
babies to these public establishments. 
Furthermore, under this bill, an establishment, after showing proof of compliance 
with the provisions of this Act, may use the designation "Baby-Friendly Establishment" 
in its promotional materials in order to bring forth customers in its business, 
In closing, there are many difficulties faced by mothers and in raising her babies, 
Although this bill does not profess to solve all their problems, it earnestly seeks to 
lighten their physical burdens by providing a clean and well maintained baby friendly 
facilities and baby diaper-changing tables in order for mothers to address the needs of 
their babies, Our children are the State's most precious and valuable resource, It is for 
this reason that the State aught to promote legislative measures that is responsive to 
their needs, 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought 
(P=~'<" 
MA4-~: 
M. LAPID 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 948 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING NEW PUBLIC-SERVING AND NEWLY RENOVATED PUBLlC-
SERVING ESTABLISHMENTS TO PROVIDE BABY FRIENDLY FACILITIES 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Baby-Friendly 
Establishments Act of 201f],', 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill consciousness among 
them and to defend the rights of our children to assistance, including proper care and 
child-friendly facilities. 
Towards this end, the State shall promote and encourage the establishment of 
baby-friendly facilities in public-serving establishments and newly renovated public-
serving establishments in order to promote a culture that is sensitive to the needs of our 
children and babies. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, a "Public-Serving 
Estabfishme(1t" shall be defined as: 
(i) 
a hospital, medical center, or clinic providing outpatient, nursing or 
treatment in medical, psychiatric for which a building permit is issued on 
or at least six months after the effective date of this Act; 
(ii) 
a grocery store, malls, commercial buildings, fast food chains, restaurants, 
and hotels which a building permit is issued on or at least six months after 
the effective date of this Act; and 
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(iii) 
a new amusement game arcade or game park, carnivals, movie theater 
and zoo, for which a construction permit is issued on or at least six months 
after the effective date of this Act. 
SEC. 4. 
Establishment of Baby-Friendly Facilities. -
It is hereby 
mandated that new public-serving establishment, as defined under Section 3 of this Act, 
shall provide the establishment of baby friendly facilities, including baby diaper-
changing tables and facilities, in its designated public restroom and sanitary facilities. 
For purposes of this Act, the term "baby diaper-changing table" shall mean a 
sturdy table or other elevated surface that has a changing surface that is at least 36 
inches above floor level and is not used for any purpose other than diaper changing. 
The DOH shall ensure that the baby friendly diaper-changing table must be adjacent to 
or near the bathroom sink;. have a clean and moisture-proof surface; be sturdy and 
maintained in good repair: and be kept free of all objects except those used for baby 
diaper changing. 
For purposes of protecting the public health, safety and welfare of our children, 
the DOH is mandated to be the implementing agency for this Act and shall ensure that 
all public establishments comply with the provisions of this Act. 
Furthermore, the DOH is hereby mandated to determine the dimension and 
placement requirements for the baby-friendly facilities and baby diaper-changing tables 
and requires that the DOH conduct a year-round monitoring for all the establishments 
covered under this Act. 
SEC, 5. 
Exemption from Coveragf). -- Upon application and as cietenrllned 
by the S(:r;retary of DOH, exemption from SeGtion 4 of this Act may be made whero [he 
establlsl'lrnont of baby-friendly facilities IS determined to be too small to accommodate a 
diaper-changing table, or is not feaSible or necfls,sary dUG to thG pGculiar cil ClIl1lf:\f1flCeS 
of the public establishment taking into conslcieration. 81T1ong othGf"S phYSical sib~ of tlK' 
establisf1ment anci the average number of mothers who Visit the place. 
SEC. 6. 
informational Il!1Ederials. ". Tile DOH, in coordinalion willi the 
var iOllS local government units, is mandated to (levelop and formulate to pro(juce cmd 
make available the relovani informalioll malendls to infonTI establishments and the 
goneral public of trKi benefit of this Act, particlll<1r!y to the mothen; and their babies 
SEC. 7. 
Designation as "Baby - Friendly" Establishment. - A public-
serving and newly renovated public-serving establishment that complies with Section 4 
of this Act may use the designation "Baby-Friendly Establishment" in its promotional 
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materials. Tt;le establishment shall submit proof of compliance to the DOH, which may 
issue a certificate that such establishment has complied with all the requirements. The 
DOH sMIl maintain a list of "Baby-Friendly Establishments" and make the list 
available for public inspection. 
SEC. 8. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). -
Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), in 
consultation with the Department of Interiors and Local Government (DILG), shall 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 9. 
Penalty Clause. - Any establishment, as defined under Section 4 
of this Act, who refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act and its Rules 
and Regulations shall be imposed a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 
50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) on the 
first offense. 
On the Second Offense, a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php 100,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00). 
On the Third Offense, a fine of not lees than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
200,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00): 
Provided, That for private establishments, the business permits or license to operate 
shall be cancelled or revoked. 
In all cases, the fine imposed should take into consideration, among others, 
employee composition, physical size of the establishment and the average number of 
mothers who visit the area. 
SEC. 10. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
, 
regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 12. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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