SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
2891 
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Introduced by SENATOR SONNY M. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT FILIPINO MOTH~RS AND CHILDREN FROM MALNUTRITION BY 
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A child's first 1,000 days-the period covering the 9 months of a mother's pregnancy 
and her child's first two years-has been dubbed a "window of opportunity." This period 
is extremely crucial to a child's fair start in life. 
As a 2015 Philippine Legislators 
Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) policy brief emphasized: 
"".[The first 1,000 days] is when nutrition trumps genetics and a person's 
potential is maximized. Getting proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days is crucial 
for physical growth of children, a pathway out of poverty for poor households, 
and a driver of growth for countries. 
It prevents more than one-third of child 
deaths per year, improves school attainment by at least one year, increases 
wages by 5 to 50 percent, reduces poverty because well-nourished children are 
33 percent more likely to escape poverty as adults, empowers women to be 10 
percent more likely to run their own business and break the inter generational 
cycle of poverty. " 
Unfortunately, many are not aware. Programs for antenatal and postnatal care-as well 
as for newborn health and nutrition-may be in place. But more priority and policy focus 
must be dedicated to ensuring that our pregnant mothers and newborns receive proper 
nutrition. A more comprehensive policy regime should be in place. 
According to UNICEF, such a policy regime Should-i) ensure the nutrition of pregnant 
mothers and adolescent girls; 2) mainstream improved breastfeeding practices and 3) 
improved complementary feeding practices; 4) provide improved protection against 
undernutrition and disease to children between 6 and 24 months; and 5) ensure proper 
feeding of children who are sick and undernourished. 
Support to barangay health 
volunteers including training courses are likewise sought to be put in place to help 
ensure the effective implementation the interventions furing the child's frist 1,000 days. 
The foregoing measure outlines and aims to establish such a First 1,000 Days Program 
in every barangay. Such program lays the proper foundation for the country's future 
growth and development. 
Hence, its swift passage is earnestly sought. 
/k~ 
~~.ANGARA 


." 
" 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
2891 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY M. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
'15 
I\UG -5 P 4 :33 
TO PROTECT FILIPINO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FROM MALNUTRITION BY 
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "First 1,000 Days 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State: (a) to equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from 
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conception; (b) to recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest 
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attainable standard of health, and the duty of the State to ensure that no child is 
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deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services. 
It is likewise 
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declared that timely interventions during the first 1,000 days be undertaken to address 
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issues of malnutrition on children aged 0-2 years old such as stunting and wasting as 
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well as improve the welfare of pregnant and lactating mothers nationwide 
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For purposes of this Act, the "First 1,000 Days" refers to the period starting from 
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Day One of a woman's pregnancy, until the child reaches the age of two years. 
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SECTION 3. Establishing a First 1000 Days Program in every barangay. -
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The Department of Health (DOH) shall, in coordination with the Department of Interior 
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and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development 
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(DSWD), National Nutrition Council (NNC), and Food and Nutrition Research Institute-
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Department of Science and Technology (FNRI -
DOST), develop a comprehensive 
health care program for pregnant and lactating women as well as the health and 
nutrition of their newborn children from 1 to 1,000 days, in every barangay. 
SECTION 4. Program Content. - The maternal and child health care services 
which may be provided to eligible individuals during the 1 ,OOO-day period shall include 
the following: 
1. Vaccinations and Nutritional Supplements: Necessary vaccinations for infants 
and nutritional supplements shall be provided free by the Department of Health 
subject to the guidelines set in the implementing rules and regulations; 
2, Check-ups: Regular check-ups during and after pregnancy for the mother and 
child shall be mandated and administered by the Barangay Health Centers. 
3. Counseling: Pre-natal and ante-natal counseling shall be administered by the 
Department of Health and the Local Government Units (LGUs). These shall 
include topics on: (a) the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene; (b) 
proper nutrition; (c) pre-natal and ante-natal health care; (d) the importance of 
exclusive breast feeding; (e) treating malnourished children with special and 
therapeutic foods; (f) general family counseling, including child and family 
development; and (g) timely intervention through safe, appropriate and high-
quality complementary food. 
4. Public Information Drive: Information on nutrition, pregnancy, pre-natal and 
post-natal care, breast feeding, and proper hygiene and sanitation shall be 
disseminated in schools and barangays health centers through different types of 
media. 
5. Monitoring: A National Monitoring System shall be implemented to monitor the 
overall status of infants and their mothers and to know the success and areas of 
improvement of the program. 
6. Breastfeeding Stations: All hospitals and workplaces nationwide shall establish 
lactation stations pursuant to RA 10028 or the "Expanded Breastfeeding 
Promotion Act of 2009". In workplaces, breastfeeding breaks shall be provided 
for working breastfeeding mothers. Human milk banks shall also be established 
in health institutions. 
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SECTION 5. Interventions. -
The First 1,000 Days Program includes the 
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provision of the following interventions: 
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1. Ensuring nutrition for pregnant mothers and adolescent girls 
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2. Improved breastfeeding practices (0-6 months) 
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3. Improved complementary feeding practices (7-24 months) 
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4. Improved protection against undemutrition and disease (6-24 months) 
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5. Improved feeding of children who are sick and undernourished 
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SECTION 6. Barangay Health Volunteers. The DOH, in coordination with the 
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LGUs, shall provide the necessary support and assistance to Barangay Health 
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Volunteers such as the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition 
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Scholars (BNS). A series of practical and effective training courses shall also be made 
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available to upgrade their skills and competence in the implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the 
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Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and Secretary of Social Welfare and 
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Development and representatives of recognized women's and children's organizations 
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and academic communities, promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the 
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effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriation. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
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amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
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Treasury. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the 
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Program shall be included in the annual appropriation of the DOH. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary to 
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or inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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