5;'. 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a country saddled with poverty such as the Philippines, women's issues as 
common as menopause are not given attention by the Government. As every woman 
undergoes this pivotal stage in her lifecycle, it is important that she is educated on the 
consequent physical, mental, and emotional changes so as to continuously inform her 
about her health and well-being. It is a fact that most women, especially indigent women 
who have no access to information widely available in the internet, enter into meiiopause 
without a grain of idea how to cope with its effects. 
The 1987 Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides: 
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health 
of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
This bill requires the Department of Health and local health departments to 
implement a stronger information campaign to the public and health care professionals 
about menopause, its effects, and how women can cope throughout this period. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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I 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM ON MENOPAUSE 
AND HOW WOMEN CAN COPE WITH THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND 
EMOTIONAL CHANGES AS A CONSEQUENCE THEREOF AND PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “National Information 
Program on Menopause.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State shall 
promote the well-being of women as they play a myriad of roles in society - as mother, 
wife and as part of the labor force, among others. Menopause is a vital stage in every 
woman’s life and its effects cut across a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional well- 
being. Hence, the State must take cognizance of this important issue among middle-age 
women and give attention to the proper education of women on this matter. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms: 
(1) “DOH’ - shall refer to the Department of Health. 
(2) “PIA” - shall refer to the Philippine Information Agency 
(3) “Menopause” - is the day after a woman’s final period finishes. This date is 
fixed retrospectively, once twelve (12) months have gone by with no 
menstrual flow at all. At this point a woman is considered to be a year into 


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postmenopause, is considered to be infertile, and no longer needs to take into 
consideration the possibility of pregnancy. 
(4) Post menopause - all of the time in a woman's life that take place after her last 
period ever, or more accurately, all of the time that follows the point when her 
ovaries become inactive. 
SECTION 4. National Information Program on Menopause - The DOH shall 
distribute to the public and to health care professionals: 
A. Medically accurate information about menopause 
1. The expected physical, mental and emotional effects of menopause. 
2. The causes of the onset of menopause and its consequence to their 
reproductive health. 
B. Hormonal and other supplements to reduce the impact of menopause on 
women's health. 
C. The information referred to above shall be distributed 
1, free of charge; 
2. provided in English, Pilipino as well as other dialects that may be 
appropriate for the geographic area. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Health (DOH), in 
cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is hereby authorized and 
directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions of this Act. The 
DOH shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and 
regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act, are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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Approved, 
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after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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