FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
'11 
r1AR 31 
P4 :58 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2768 
Hr.' " .. ' ~' 
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Two of the overriding problems that bedevil the Philippines are an inordinately 
enormous debt service and an extremely huge population. 
This bill addresses the second problem on an uncontained population escalation 
that aggravates the debt menace, hampers delivery of reproductive health care services 
and derails sustainable human development. 
The present population of the country of 82.6 million has galloped from 60.7 
million 14 years ago. This makes the Philippines the 1ih most populous nation in the 
world today. The population growth rate is 2.36% and is among the highest in the 
world. The Filipino women's fertility rate of 3.7% is at the upper bracket of 206 
countries. With four babies born every minute, the population is expected to balloon to 
an alarming 160 million in 2038. 
A huge population is an albatross on limited resources which when spread out 
too thinly to "reach" the multitude becomes grossly inadequate and effectively 
meaningless. The number of Filipinos living below the poverty line has reached 40% of 
the total population. Compare this to poverty statistics of other Asian countries: Taiwan 
(1.0%), Malaysia (8.0%), Thailand (12.5%) and Indonesia (27%), and the country's 
poverty is indeed abysmal. 
The internationally accepted indicators of well-being like access to potable water, 
sanitary toilets and meaningful employment rank the Philippines way below the ladder 
of development. The data show that 21.5% or 17.7 million Filipinos have no potable 
water; 19.15% or 15.8 million have no access to sanitary toilet facilities; 13.7% or 5 
million are currently unemployed and 18.75 or 6.8 million are underemployed. 
The state of health of a nation's children is often indicative of the kind of society 
in which they live. Filipino children (0-18 years) comprise 45% of the entire population 
and the statistics culled on their state of health and well-being is bone-chilling. Consider 
the following: 
• 
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute has estimated that 3.7 million pre-
school children are underweight (acute or present malnutrition), 3.8 million 
are stunted (growth failure) and 0.7 million are wasted (enfeebled state); 
• 
49% of the total population of infants and 26% of the total population of 
children with ages ranging from 1-6 years old suffer from iron-deficiency 
anemia; 
• 
There are about five million child laborers and more than 1.5 million street 
children in the country; and 
• 
There are 60,000 prostituted children and their numbers increase by 3,266 
annually making the Philippines the fourth country with the most number of 
prostituted children. 


The following statistics specifically on reproductive health in the Philippines are 
similarly ominous: 
• 
An infant mortality rate of 36 for every 1,000 live births; 
• 
Maternal mortality rate of 172 for every 100,000 live births; 
• 
10 women die every 24 hours from causes related to pregnancy and 
childbirth; 
• 
Out of every 100 children who die before reaching the age of five, 38 deaths 
are due to curable diseases; and 
• 
Approximately 280,000 teenaged girls every year end up becoming mothers 
before they reach the age of 20. 
According to studies conducted by the National Statistics Office, the current 
national contraceptive unmet need of poor women is 26.4% and for non-poor, the rate is 
17.0%. The level and scope of unmet need in the country is clearly indicated by the high 
levels of unplanned births (18.2% in 1998) due to lack of access to family planning 
services (National Demographic and Health Survey 2000). The difference between 
actual total fertility rate of 3.7 children versus the real number of desired children which 
is 2.7 also validates the unmet need for family planning assistance (National 
Demographic and Health Survey 2000). 
These dismal statistics are due to the lack of access to adequate information on 
reproductive health and regular and timely dispensation of reproductive health care 
services. 
In a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in February 2004, 97% of the respondents 
believed that is was important to have the freedom to decide the size of one's family 
and another 71 % regarded a fast-growing population as a hindrance to economic 
development. Moreover, 82% believed that candidates for elective positions who 
supported the "free use of couples as to family planning methods" should be elected. 
While majority of women of reproductive age are receptive to the use of safe 
contraceptive methods, techniques and devices, family planning services and supplies 
are lamentably inaccessible. This results in the prevalence of induced abortions which 
the UP Population Institute estimates to be close to 400,000 annually. It is estimated 
that 100,000 women each year are hospitalized because of serious post-abortion 
complications. 
This bill continues to proscribe abortion which is a crime under the Revised Penal 
Code. However, when abortion is resorted to, despite the prohibition, there is a need to 
manage post-abortion complications in a humane and compassionate manner. The 
patient should not be suffered to die due to her desperation. 
As a preventive measure against abortion this bill provides for timely, complete 
and accurate information and education on reproductive health as well as ready access 
to safe, adequate and affordable reproductive health care services. Thus, it guarantees 
freedom of choice of individuals and couples on the number and spacing of their 
children, even as this bill considers two (2) children as the ideal family size. 
An effective reproductive health education does not only instill consciousness of 
freedom of choice but responsible exercise of one's rights. According to the United 
Nations Population Fund: "It has been repeatedly shown that reproductive health 
education leads to responsible behavior, higher levels of abstinence, later initiation of 
sexuality, higher use of contraception, and fewer sexual partners. These good effects 
are even greater when parents can talk honestly with their children about sexual and 
reproductive matters." 


It is imperative that reproductive health and sexuality education should start early 
among the young people. It has to be initiated by parents and adult members of the 
family who are considered role models by their children. 
Reproductive health and sexuality education at home should be sustained and 
complemented by formal education in schools. 
Reproductive health and sexuality education seeks to assist young people in 
understanding a positive view of the reproductive system and human sexuality, provide 
them with information and skills about taking care of their reproductive and sexual 
health, and help them make sound decisions now and in the future. 
Comprehensive reproductive health and sexuality education programs have four 
main goals: 
• 
To provide complete, accurate and relevant information on the reproductive 
system and its functions and processes and human sexuality; 
• 
To provide an opportunity for young people to develop and understand their 
values, attitudes, and beliefs about sexuality; 
• 
To help young people develop relationships and interpersonal skills; and 
• 
To help young people exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships, 
including addressing abstinence, pressures to engage prematurely involved in 
sexual intercourse, and the use of contraception and other sexual health 
measures 
"Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy", a report released 
by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy in 2001, concluded that: 
• 
Sexuality and HIV education do not hasten sexual activity; 
• 
Education about abstinence and contraception are compatible rather than in 
conflict with each other; and 
• 
Making condoms available does not increase sexual behavior 
The tragic scenario cited above is principally rooted in overpopulation and the 
lack of an integrated national policy on reproductive health in connection with population 
management and sustainable human development. This bill addresses these urgent 
concerns. 
Verily, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PANFIDfIln. ~CSON 
\:Jator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
·11 
MAR 31 
P 4 :58 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 276 B 
RECEIVIW B\~ 
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON 
AN ACT 
CREATING A REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT 
COUNCIL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED POLICY ON 
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RELATIVE TO SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 
AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT, 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 "Reproductive Health 
Act of 2011 ". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -
The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive policy on reproductive health in connection with sustainable human 
development and effective population management that values the dignity of every 
human person and affords full protection to people's rights. 
The State shall uphold the right of the people and their organizations to effective 
and reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared 
policy as its direct and ultimate beneficiaries. 
This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is 
better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive 
citizens. 
The State likewise guarantees universal access to safe, affordable and quality 
reproductive health care services, methods and devices even as it prioritizes the needs 
of women and children, among other underprivileged sectors. 
SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. - This Act declares the following as basic guiding 
principles: 
a. 
Since manpower is the principal asset of every country, effective 
reproductive health care services must be given primacy to ensure the birth 
of healthy children and to promote responsible parenting. 


b. 
The limited resources of the country cannot be suffered to be spread so 
thinly to service a burgeoning multitude that makes the allocations grossly 
inadequate and effectively meaningless. 
c. 
Freedom of choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be 
fully guaranteed by the State like the right itself. 
d. 
While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of 
parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious 
beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, 
including unmarried 
individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate 
and enlightening information on reproductive health and human sexuality 
and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private 
practitioners. 
e. 
Reproductive health must be the joint concern of the National Government 
and Local Government Units. 
f. 
Protection and promotion of gender equality and women's rights are 
essential to the fulfillment of reproductive health rights. 
g. 
Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and 
integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the 
quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the 
marginalized. 
h. 
Active 
participation 
by 
and 
thorough 
consultation 
with 
concerned 
nongovernment groups, communities and people's organizations are 
imperative to ensure that basic policies, plans, programs and projects 
address the priority needs of beneficiaries. 
i. 
Respect for, protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights seek to 
promote not only the rights and welfare of adult individuals and couples but 
those of adolescents' and children's as well. 
j. 
While the full range of family planning methods, techniques and devices 
shall be made available to couples and adults of reproductive age, abortion 
shall remain to be penalized under the Revised Penal Code and relevant 
jurisprudence. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a. Reproductive health - the state of complete physical, mental and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the 
reproductive system and its functions and processes. 
b. Reproductive health rights - the rights of individuals and couples, subject to 
applicable laws, to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their 
children; to make other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, 
coercion and violence; to have the information and means to carry out their decisions', 
and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. 
c. Gender equality - the absence of discrimination on the basis of a person's sex, 
in opportunities, allocation of resources and benefits, and access to services. 
d. Gender equity - fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and 


responsibilities between women and men, and often requires women-specific projects 
and programs to eliminate existing inequalities, inequities, policies and practices 
unfavorable to women. 
e. Reproductive Health Care - availability and access to a full range of methods, 
techniques and services that contribute to reproductive and sexual health and well-
being by preventing and solving reproductive health-related problems in order to 
achieve enhancement of life and personal relations. 
The elements of reproductive 
health care include: 
1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition; 
2. Family planning information and services; 
3. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; 
4. Adolescent and youth health; 
5. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTls), 
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STls); 
6. Elimination of violence against women; 
7. Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive 
health; 
8. Treatment of breast and 
reproductive 
tract cancers 
and 
other 
gynecological conditions; 
9. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health; 
10. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; 
f. Responsible parenting - the will and the ability to respond to the needs and 
aspirations of the family and children. 
g. Family planning - a program which enables couples and individuals to decide 
freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the 
information and means to carry out their decisions, and to have informed choice and 
access to a full range of safe and effective family planning methods, techniques and 
devices, excluding abortion which is a crime. 
h. Adolescent sexuality - refers to the reproductive system, gender identity, 
values or beliefs, emotions, relationships and sexual behavior of young people as social 
beings. Adolescence refers to a life stage and pertains to people between the ages of 
ten (10) and nineteen (19). 
i. Reproductive health and sexuality education -
is the process of acquiring 
complete, accurate and relevant information in all matters relating to the reproductive 


system, its functions and processes and human sexuality; and forming attitudes and 
beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and 
gender roles. It also includes developing the necessary skills to be able to distinguish 
between facts and myths on sex and sexuality; and critically evaluate and discuss the 
moral, religious, social and cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues such as 
contraception and abortion. 
j. 
Development -
is a multi-dimensional process involving major changes in 
social structures, popular attitudes, and national institutions as well as the acceleration 
of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of widespread 
poverty. 
k. Sustainable human development - the totality of the process of expanding 
human choices by enabling people to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives, affording 
them access to resources needed for a decent standard of living and assuring continuity 
and acceleration of development under the Population-Resource-Environment (PRE) 
framework which strikes a balance between population, adequate resources and 
healthy environment. 
I. Population management - a program that aims to: (a) encourage the limitation 
of the number of children to an affordable level of two (2) children per family; (b) attain 
an optimum fertility rate vis-a-vis equitable allocation and utilization of resources; (c) 
realize a balanced spatial distribution of the population by discouraging migration to 
urban centers and decongesting thickly populated areas; (d) promote the effective 
partnership among the national government, local government units and the private 
sector in the design, implementation, coordination, integration, monitoring and 
evaluation of people-centered programs on population, development and environment; 
and (e) conduct studies on and provide incentives for the deceleration of population 
growth. 
SEC. 5. Reproductive Health and Population Management Council. Pursuant 
to the herein declared policy, there is hereby constituted within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act a multi-agency body to be known as the Reproductive Health and 
Population Management Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council. It shall be 
composed of eighteen (18) members with the Secretary of the Department of Health 
(DOH) and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) as Co-Chairpersons and the following as members: 
a. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 
b. Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) 
c. Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOLE) 


d. Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
e. Executive Director of the Commission on Population (PopCom) 
f. 
Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women 
(NCRFW) 
g. Chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC) 
h. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
i. 
Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council 
(HUDCC) 
j. 
Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) 
k. Three (3) representatives from the local government units nominated by the 
leagues of local government units and to be appointed by the President 
I. 
Three (3) representatives from nongovernment organizations: one (1) 
representative each from the women, youth and health sectors who have 
distinguished themselves in the promotion of reproductive health, human 
development and/or population management who shall be appointed by the 
President from a list of nominees independently selected by the concerned 
NGOs. 
As much as practicable, the Secretaries of the departments and heads of 
agencies constituting the Council shall attend personally the meetings of the Council. 
Separate staffs 
on 
reproductive 
health, 
human 
development and 
population 
management in charge of the implementation of this Act shall be constituted by the 
member departments and offices within their respective agencies. 
SEC. 6. Functions of the Council. - As the central advisory, planning and 
formulating body of the comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health 
relative to human development and popUlation management, the Council shall have the 
following functions: 
a. To integrate on a continUing basis the interrelated reproductive health, human 
development and population management agenda into a national policy, 
taking into account regional and local concerns. 
b. To provide the mechanism to ensure active and full participation of the private 
sector and the citizenry through their organizations in the planning and 
implementation of reproductive health care, population and development 
programs and projects. 
c. To ensure people's access to quality and affordable reproductive health 
goods and services. 
d. To 
facilitate 
the 
involvement 
and 
participation 
of 
nongovernment 
organizations and the private sector in reproductive health care service 
delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery of quality reproductive 
health and family planning supplies and commodities. 
e. To fully implement the Reproductive Health Care Program with the following 
components: 
1.) Reproductive and sexual health education including but not limited 
to counseling on the full range of legal and medically-safe family 
planning methods. 
2.) Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal education, care and services. 
3.) Promotion of male involvement, participation and responsibility in 
reproductive health as well as other reproductive health concerns 
of men. 
4.) Prevention 
of abortion 
and 
management 
of post-abortion 
complications. 


5.) Provision of information and services addressing the reproductive 
health needs of the poor, senior citizens, women in prostitution, 
differently-abled persons, and women and children in war crisis 
situations. 
f. 
To ensure that reproductive health services are delivered with a full range of 
supplies, facilities and equipment and that service providers are adequately 
trained for reproductive health care. 
g. To recommend the enactment of legislation and adoption of executive 
measures that will strengthen and enhance the integrated policy on 
reproductive health, population and development. 
h. To hire and appoint personnel of the Secretariat and the Executive Director. 
i. 
To perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat as its support 
and technical staff to be headed by an Executive Director, and shall determine their 
respective compensation, subject to applicable civil service laws, rules and regulations 
with a view to ensuring a competent and efficient secretariat: Provided, That nominees 
of nongovernment organizations shall be accorded preferential employment to ensure 
their active involvement and participation in all activities of the Council. 
SEC. 8. Qualifications, Powers, Functions and Duties of the Executive 
Director. - The Executive Director of the Council shall have adequate experience in 
reproductive health, sustainable human development and population management and 
shall have the following powers, functions and duties: 
a. Execute, implement and enforce the policies, programs, projects, rules and 
regulations of the Council; 
b. Direct and supervise the operations and internal affairs of the Council; 
c. Establish the internal organization and administrative procedures of the 
Council, recommend to the Council the appointment of the necessary 
administrative and subordinate personnel; and 
d. Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such duties as are not 
specifically lodged in the Council. 
SEC. 9. Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for Reproductive Health. - Fifty 
(50%) percent out of the 20% Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of local 
government units (LGUs) which they are mandated to provide for local development 
projects under Section 287 of the "Local Government Code of 1991" (RA No. 7160) 
shall be appropriated by each LGU for reproductive health care services. 
The appropriation for reproductive health care services shall be included in the 
annual budget of LGUs effective Fiscal Year 2011. 
No local budget shall be approved without the requisite appropriation for 
reproductive health care services. 


Copies of the development plans of local government units shall be furnished the 
Department of Interior and Local Government and the Council. 
SEC. 10. Mobile Health Care Service. - Each Congressional District shall be 
provided with a van to be known as the Mobile Health Care Service (MHCS) to deliver 
health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and 
needy, as well as disseminate knowledge and information on reproductive health: 
Provided, That reproductive health and sexuality education shall be conducted by 
competent and adequately trained persons preferably reproductive health care 
providers: Provided, further, That a wide range of family planning methods, both 
natural/traditional and modern, shall be taught. 
The operation and maintenance of the MHCS shall be funded from the Priority 
Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of each Congressional District. 
The MHCS shall be adequately equipped with a wide range of reproductive 
health care materials and information dissemination devices and equipment, the latter 
including but not limited to a television set for audio-visual presentation. 
SEC. 11. Mandatory Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education. -
Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be 
taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High 
School. Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall commence at the start of the 
school year immediately following one year effectivity of this Act. The Council shall 
formulate the Sexuality Education curriculum, which shall be common to both public and 
private schools, based on the following subjects and standards: 
a. Reproductive health 
b. Reproductive health care and services 
c. Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and 
sexual health 
d. Proscription and hazards of abortion 
e. Family planning and the number and spacing of children 
f. 
Natural/traditional methods to prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed 
pregnancy 
g. Use of modern contraceptive devices 
h. Abstinence before marriage 
i. 
Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STls/STDs 
j. 
Safe sex 


SEC. 12. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers. - Barangay Health 
Workers shall undergo retraining on the delivery of reproductive health care services 
and shall receive a 10% increase in honoraria upon successful completion of training. 
SEC. 13. Ideal Family Size. - In order to attain the desired population growth 
rate, the State shall encourage two (2) children as the ideal family size. Children from 
these families shall have preference in the grant of scholarships at the tertiaryleve/. 
SEC. 14. Incentives for the Manufacturellmportation of Reproductive Health 
Care Commodities. -
Local manufacturers of family planning devices and related 
reproductive health commodities shall enjoy personal and corporate income tax 
exemptions for three (3) years from the start of their operation or for three (3) years from 
the effectivity of this Act. They shall have access to low interest bearing and 
concessionary capital loans from government banks. Importation of such devices and 
commodities, not locally manufactured, shall be levied reduced tariffs. 
SEC. 15. Employers' Responsibilities. -
Employers shall respect the 
reproductive health rights of their workers. Women shall not be discriminated against in 
the matter of hiring, regularization of employment status or selection for retrenchment. 
All Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) shall provide for the free delivery of 
reasonable reproductive health care services and devices to the workers, more 
particularly the women. 
SEC. 16. Private Practitioners' Support. - Pursuant to Section 5 (b) hereof 
private reproductive health care service providers, including but not limited to 
gynecologists and obstetricians, shall endeavor to render such services free of charge 
or at reduced professional fee rates to indigent and low income patients. 
SEC. 17. Multi-Media Campaign. The Council shall initiate and sustain a 
heightened nationwide multi-media campaign to raise the level of public awareness of 
the urgent need to protect and promote reproductive health care and rights relative to 
human development and popUlation management. 
SEC. 18. Tax-Deductible Donations - All donations to the Council for the 
implementation of this Act shall be deductible to its full amount from the net personal or 
corporate income due from the donor. 


SEC. 19. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited: 
a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall: 
1. Knowingly withhold information, or restrict the dissemination thereof, 
and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and 
services on reproductive health including the right to informed choice and 
access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning 
methods; 
2. Refuse to perform voluntary sterilization and ligation and other legal and 
medically-safe reproductive health care services on any person of legal 
age on the ground of lack of third party consent or authorization: Provided, 
That in the case of abused minors as certified to by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development, and pregnant minors, no prior parental 
consent shall be necessary; 
3. Fail or cause to fail deliberately, or through gross negligence, or 
inexcusable neglect, the delivery of reproductive health care services as 
mandated under this Act, the Local Government Code of 1991, the Labor 
Code, and Presidential Decree 79, as amended; and 
4. Refuse to extend quality health care services and information on account 
of the provider's marital status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, 
personal circumstances, and nature of work: 
Provided, That all 
conscientious objections of health care service providers based on ethical 
and religious grounds shall be respected: Provided, however, That the 
conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such 
care and services to another health care service provider within the same 
facility or one which is conveniently accessible: Provided, finally, That the 
person is not in an emergency condition or serious case as defined in RA 
8344 penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer 
appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency and 
serious cases. 
b) Any public official at both the national and local levels with power and authority 
over any subordinate who shall prohibit or intentionally restrict the delivery of 
legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services, including family 
planning. 
c) Any employer who shall require or cause a female applicant for employment or 
an employee to involuntarily submit herself to sterilization or any contraceptive 
method, including but not limited to injection of depo provera as a condition for 
employment or continued employment. 
d) Any person who shall engage in willful disinformation with respect to reproductive 
health care and rights or the provisions of this Act or cause such disinformation. 
SEC. 20. Penalties.' 
Any violation of this Act shall be penalized by 
imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of Twenty 
Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of 
the proper court. If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon 
the President, Treasurer, Secretary or any person or officer responsible for the violation. 
If the offender is an alien, he/she shall, after service of sentence, be deported 
immediately without further proceedings in the Bureau of Immigration. If the offender is 


a public officer or employee, the Court shall, in addition to the penalties hereinabove 
provided, order his/her dismissal from the government service. 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health, National Economic and 
Development Authority and Commission on Population shall jointly promulgate, after 
thorough 
consultation 
with 
health 
and 
national 
multi-sectoral 
nongovernment 
organizations, the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act and 
shall ensure the full dissemination of the same to the public. 
SEC. 22. Bicameral Congressional Oversight Committee. -
A Bicameral 
Congressional Oversight Committee is hereby created to regularly monitor and assess 
the implementation of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members of 
the Senate and six (6) members of the House of Representatives who are active 
members of the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development 
(PLCPD) to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, respectively: Provided, That two (2) of the six (6) members coming 
from each Chamber shall represent the minority as designated by the respective 
minority leaders. 
SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amount of P100 million is initially appropriated 
to carry out the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for 
the effective implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is 
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 26. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,