Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“4 5826
House Bill No. ____

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR YOUNG
PREGNANT WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, AND MUNICIPALITY
OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, there are around 290 births per hour, 24 of which are
born to teenage mothers. This comprises the 200,000 Filipino teens who get
pregnant annually, and this has been considered by the Population Commission
as a national emergency that requires immediate action. In fact, according to a
study by the United Nations Population Fund, the Philippines is the only country
in Southeast Asia whose teenage pregnancy rates have continued to rise over the
past decades.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Annual Poverty Indicators
Survey shows that youth pregnancy is one of the main reasons for school
dropouts, which have reached a total of 2.97 million in 2013 and 62 percent of
whom are 16 to 24 years old. The same survey indicates that rural communities
are particularly affected, with 30 percent more teenage mothers.

Conceiving at a young age poses critical health risks to both the mother
and her unborn child. Misinformation and lack of guidance lead to inadequate
nutrition, complications, premature birth, and fetal and maternal deaths.


This Bill seeks to establish a Refuge and Assistance Center for Young
Pregnant Women in every city, municipality, and province of the country, which
will ensure the protection of young mothers’ holistic welfare for them to be
productive contributors to the country’s development.

Under this proposed measure, medical assistance, guidance and
counseling, and livelihood generation will be provided to expecting young
mothers.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon Gity, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5826

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR YOUNG
PREGNANT WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, AND MUNICIPALITY
OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Young Women’s Refuge
and Assistance Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
value the dignity of young women and recognize their fundamental rule in
nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall protect and promote the
physical, moral, and social well-being of young women by providing them with
the facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and assist them
in their endeavors with a goal to help them realize their full potential in the
service of the nation.

SEC. 3. Establishment of Refuge and Assistance Centers. - There shall be
established a Refuge and Assistance Centers for Young Pregnant Women
(thereinafter referred to as the “Centers”) in every province, city,, and
municipality all over the country.


SEC. 4. Beneficiaries. - The beneficiaries of this law shall include all young
women who are twenty-one (21) years of age and below who are pregnant or
suffered a miscarriage, and their children.

SEC. 5. Refuge and Assistance Center. - The Center shall be under the
management and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) in coordination and assistance with the Department of
Health (DOH). The Center shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed
by the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Director of the Center shall hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Social
Work or Community Development or similar courses and shall have a minimum
experience of five (5) years in counselling, social and psychological services, and
other related field or experience.

Each Center shall have the following personnel: (a) at least doctor or midwife,
and (b) such other personnel necessary to provide assistance to the beneficiaries
of this act.

SEC.6 Functions of the Centers. - The Centers shall have the following
functions.

(a) To provide temporary shelter and refuge to beneficiaries of this act:

(b) To provide free medical assistance, including monthly pre-natal
checkup or such other care for young women to prevent potentials risks
from child- bearing. And all other medical services for child birth and
delivery, and provide them pre-natal vitamins and medication;

(c) To undertake programs geared towards the development of skills for
livelihood generation, social communication, and other related skills which
will help women and children to become productive members of society;
and

(d) To perform other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.

SEC 7. Rehabilitation and Development Program. - The DSWD in
coordination with the DOH shall, within ninety (90) days from the approval of
this Act, formulate a program for the rehabilitation, development, and protection
of young women and children.


SEC.8 Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD in coordination
with the DOH shall, issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations
within six (6) months from the approval of this Act.

SEC 9. Funding and Appropriations. - The amount necessary for effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the DSWD
under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be
necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the Centers shall be
included in the regular appropriations for the DSWD in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10 Repealing clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
regulations or parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with this act, are hereby
modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 11. Separability clause. - If for any reason, any section or part of this
act is held unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12 Effectively clause. - This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,