Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL no.£229

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION
ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES

It has been observed that there is a deficiency in the dissemination of information
regarding health care information to women. Many women are not conscious of the
healthcare precautions that should be taken during pregnancy. This may be the reason
ind handicapped babies is constantly increasing.

why the percentage of abni

The Constitution, Article Il, Section 15 provides that “The State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them,” and under
the Constitution, Article lI, Section 12, the State is also mandated to equally protect the
life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. Towards this end, this bill
seeks to eradicate whatever barriers may exist that hamper access of the people and
reliable reproductive health care information, including those pertaining to family
planning and adoption services.

Luis Ad, . VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8500

introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION
ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICE:

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 cited as the “Women’ Right to Know Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people. Towards this end, the State shall provide
relevant and reliable reproductive health care information to women.

SECTION 3. Definition of Governmental Authority. — As used in this Act, the term
“governmental authority” means any authority of any branch, instrumentality, agency of
the National Government or any local government unit.

SECTION 4. Reproductive Health Care Information. — Notwithstanding any other
ww to the contrary, no government authority shall in or through any program
or activity, administered or assisted by such authority, that provides health care services
or information, limit the right of any person to provide, or of any person to receive,
non-fraudulent information about the availability of reproductive health care services,
including family planning, prenatal care, and adoption services.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, a ule oF regulation contrary to or



inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,