Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ £045

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposal hopes to improve and expand the availability of and access to,
required comprehensive maternity care services that enable pregnant young girls to
obtain proper care, and to help pregnant adolescents and their parents to become
productive independent contributors to family and community life.

Presently, the Department of Health extends free prenatal and postnatal
consultations geared to towards reducing maternal and infant mortality. However, it
seems that there is a need for improvement on the existing institutional set-up, because
as of now pregnancy among unmarried teenagers remains one of the most difficult and
far-reaching social problems of our country.

Therefore, in keeping with Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution, which
declared in essence that the State is mandated to equally protect the life of the mother
and the life of the unborn from conception, this measure directs the government to
provide prenatal and postnatal matemity services in the home of pregnant teenagers in
order to protect their health as well as the future well-being of their newborns.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

v/a he J Kahne
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative, 1st District

City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1545

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITING PROGRAM

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 “Materna and Infant Care
Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to equally
protect of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. In line with this policy,
the State must provide pre-natal and post natal maternity care services in the home of
pregnant women in order to protect their health as well as the future health and well-
being of their newborn children.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
and

(B) “Low income” means, with respect to an individual or family with an
income determined to be below the income official poverty line
defined by the Department of Budget and Management.

SECTION 4. Eligibility of Individuals. — A pregnant woman, not more than twenty-one
(21) years old, or families with an infant up to the age of one (1), belonging to the low-
income bracket, shall be eligible to receive maternal and infant care services provided
under this Act.

SECTION 5. Establishment of maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting Program. —
The Secretary shall require health centers to designate an appropriate health
professional or a qualified nonprofessional acting under the supervision of a heath care
professional who shall deliver maternal and child health services in the home of eligible
individuals.

SECTION 6. Maternal and Child Health Services. - The maternal and child health
services, which may be provided in the home to eligible individuals, shall include the
following:

(A) Instruction and counseling regarding future health care for the woman
and her child;

(B) Nutrition counseling;

(C) Counseling and education concerning all aspects of prenatal care,
childbirth and motherhood;


(D) General family counseling, including child and family development.

SECTION 7. Prohibition on Abortion. - Any maternal and child health services which
shall be made available under this Act shall no advocate, promote, or encourage
abortion.

SECTION 8. 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 9. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,