Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR YOUNG 
PREGNANT WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, AND MUNICIPALITY 
OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 In the Philippines, there are around 307 births per hour, about 30 of 
which are born to teenage mothers.1 This comprises close to 200,000 Filipino 
teens who get pregnant annually, which has been considered by the 
Population Commission as a national emergency that requires immediate 
action. According to a study by the United Nations Population Fund, the 
Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia whose teenage pregnancy 
rates have continued to rise over the past decades.  
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Annual Poverty 
Indicators Survey shows that youth pregnancy is one of the main reasons for 
school dropouts, which reached a total of 3.6 million in 2017 where of whom 
two-thirds are females. The same survey indicates that rural communities are 
particularly affected, with 30 percent more teenage mothers. 
Conceiving at a young age poses critical health risks to both the mother 
and her unborn child. The stigma against sexual and reproductive health 
education has been critical in the prevalent lack of information available for 
adolescents to further protect their sexual health. This misinformation and 
lack of guidance have led to inadequate nutrition, complications, premature 
1 Philippine Statistics Authority. 2022 https://psa.gov.ph/content/registered-live-births-
philippines-2020 (Accessed on October 26, 2022) 
August 11, 2025
8:00 am
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birth, and fetal and maternal deaths. 
Among the many problems linked with adolescent pregnancy, teenage 
mothers are also more likely to experience lifelong social and economic 
disadvantages due to limited educational and career opportunities.2 Despite 
efforts to institutionalize sexual and reproductive health through Republic Act 
No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 
2012, much work remains to be done, especially in providing equitable and 
accessible sexual and reproductive health services to our communities. 
This bill seeks to establish a Refuge and Assistance Center for Young 
Pregnant Women in every city, municipality, and province of the country, 
which will ensure the protection of young mothers’ holistic welfare to empower 
them to build successful lives for themselves and their children and be 
productive contributors to the country’s development.  Under this proposed 
measure, medical assistance, guidance and counseling, and livelihood 
generation will be provided to expectant young mothers.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is urgently 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 
2 De Velasco, Monroy.1982. “Consequences of early childbearing” 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12264602/ Accessed on October 27, 2022 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR YOUNG 
PREGNANT WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, AND MUNICIPALITY 
OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Young Women’s 
Refuge and Assistance Center Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to value the dignity of young women and recognize their fundamental 
role in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall protect and promote 
the physical, moral, and social well-being of young women by providing them 
with the facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and assist 
them in their endeavors with the goal of helping them realize their full 
potential in the service of the nation. 
SECTION 3. Establishment of Refuge and Assistance Centers. – There 
shall be established a Refuge and Assistance Center for Young Pregnant 
Women (hereinafter referred to as the “Centers”) in every province, city, and 
municipality all over the country. 
SECTION 4. Beneficiaries. – The beneficiaries of this law shall include all 
young women who are twenty-one (21) years of age and below who are 
pregnant or have suffered a miscarriage, and their children. 
SECTION 5. Refuge and Assistance Center. – The Center shall be under 
the management and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) in coordination and assistance with the Department of 
Health (DOH). 
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The Center shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines.  
 
The Director of the Center shall hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Social 
Work or Community Development or similar courses and shall have a 
minimum experience of five (5) years in counselling, social and psychological 
services, and other related field or experience. 
 
Each Center shall have the following personnel: (a) at least one doctor; (b) at 
least one midwife, and (c) such other personnel necessary to provide 
assistance to the beneficiaries of this act. 
 
SECTION 6. Functions of the Centers. - The Centers shall have the following 
functions: 
 
(a) To provide temporary shelter and refuge to beneficiaries of this act:   
(b) To provide free medical assistance, including monthly pre-natal 
checkup or such other care for young women to prevent potentials 
risks from child-bearing. And all other medical services for 
childbirth and delivery, and provide them prenatal vitamins and 
medication; 
(c) To undertake programs geared towards the development of skills for 
livelihood generation, social communication, and other related skills 
which will help women and children to become productive members 
of society; and 
(d) To perform other functions as may be necessary to carry out the 
objectives of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Rehabilitation and Development Program. – The DSWD in 
coordination with the DOH shall, within ninety (90) days from the approval of 
this Act, formulate a program for the rehabilitation, development, and 
protection of young women and children. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DSWD in 
coordination with the DOH shall, issue the necessary implementing rules and 
regulations within six (6) months from the approval of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Funding and Appropriations. – The amount necessary for 
effective implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for 
the DSWD under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such 
sum as may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the 
Centers shall be included in the regular appropriations for the DSWD in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 10. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 


SECTION 11. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, parts or provisions of this Act 
which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,