TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S. No.
183
25 JlJL-7 A10-.41
RtCEiV
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF FILIPINO MOTHERS AT THE TIME OF 
THEIR CHILDBIRTH, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Reducing maternal deaths Is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
under Goal 3 which is to ensure healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all at all 
ages. But with only a decade left to meet the SDGs, the data from the Philippine 
Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated that the number of women dying from childbirth 
in the country is Increasing.
The PSA defined 'maternal death' as "the death of a woman while pregnant, or 
within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of 
the pregnancy, from any cause related to, or aggravated by the pregnancy, or its 
management, but not from accidental or incidental causes". This is based on the 
definition set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In recent years, maternal 
deaths have continuously Increased to alamning levels.
This legislation is highlighted by the following points:
1. The kxal government units are mandated to upgrade and improve devolved 
health services and medical facilities to provide quality emergency obstetric care.


2. The LGUs shall encourage facility-based delivery among all women and shall 
retain health workers, e.g., medical doctors, nurses, and midwives, who deliver these 
health services. For the purpose, the local health clinics and health offices as well as 
the satellite offices of the Department of Health are hereby mandated to be of 24- 
hour assistance to Filipino mothers.
3. The local government units are empowered to provide and formulate 
programs that will promote the increase in salaries and incentives of health workers.
In view of the need to address foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
CAMILLE VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
Z5 JUL -7 AlO ••42
SENATE
S. No.
183
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH OF FILIPINO MOTHERS AT THE TIME OF 
THEIR CHILDBIRTH, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MECHANISMS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Consistent with the State policy that the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them and the constitutional declaration that the State shall enhance the welfare and 
safety of women, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to provide 
maximum safeguarding of Filipino mothers at the time of their childbirths.
Sec. 2. No maternity hospital, clinic, health center, lying-in, midwifery 
facilities or similar center, public or private, shall deny or refuse to assist, admit or 
entry of a mother at the time of childbirth. They shall ensure the highest safety 
mechanism to prevent child switching, child trafficking or the commission of any 
crime that may lead to the endangering of the lives of both mother and child.
Sec. 3. The respective local government units (LGUs) in cooperation with the 
Department of Health (DOH) are mandated to upgrade and improve devolved health 
services and medical facilities to provide quality emergency obstetric care (EMOC).


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Every barangay in the country should have a birthing facility to help reduce the risk of 
maternal and infant deaths.
Sec. 4. The LGUs shall encourage facility-based delivery among all women and 
shall retain health workers, e.g., medical doctors, nurses, and midwives, who deliver 
these health services.
The local health clinics and health offices as well as the satellite offices of the 
DOH are hereby encouraged to be of 24-hour assistance to Filipino mothers.
The LGUs are empowered to provide and formulate programs that will promote 
the increase in salaries and incentives of health workers.
Sec. 5. To complement the provisions of this Act, the DOH in coordination with 
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the relevant organization of 
midwives shall professionalize further the practice of midwifery in the country and 
empower them to be key health care professionals in providing care to mothers and 
newborns and reducing maternal mortality and newborn mortality rates.
Sec. 6. The DOH shall Issue the necessary mies and regulations to implement 
the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 7. Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or 
provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and 
be given effect in their entirety.
Sec. 8. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, memoranda, circulars, 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the Act, are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
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two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,