Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NII`mTEENTH coNGREss
Second Regular Session
riousEB[LLNO.835{
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-HNS
AN ACT PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE MATERNAL HEALTHCARE INCLUDING
IMMUNIZATION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This proposed legislative act recognizes the urgent need to prioritize and inprove the health and
well-being of Filipino mothers during childbirth through a comprehensive matemal healthcare
approach that includes immunization for pregnant women. It seeks to expand HB 5684 filed by
Rep. Camille Villar by integrating Matemal Influenza and TDAP (Tetanus Toxoid, Diphtheria
Toxoid,  and  Acellular  Pertussis)  vaccinations  into  matemal  healthcare  to  safeguard  the  well-
being of expectant mothers and their newboms.
The most recent data on matemal health underscores the importance of addressing the existing
challenges. Despite notable progress in various healthcare indicators, matemal mortality remains
a  significant  concern.  As  of the  latest  available  data  from  the  Philippine  Statistics  Authority
(PSA), the matemal mortality rate in the Philippines stands at a stark rate of 189 per I 00,000 live
births  in  2021,  one of the highest  in the region.   According to the PSA  report,  at  least 2,478
women  died  of matemal  causes  in  that  year.  That  is  six  to  seven  Filipino  women  dying  of
childbirth everyday in the country.   The actual figure may be higher,  especially in rural  areas,
where cases of matemal death remain uureported.
The harrowing data reflects the persistent gaps in access to quality matemal healthcare services
and the imperative to implement effective measures.
By  matemal  mandating  immunization  across  private  and  public  healthcare  institutions,  this
proposed  legislation  aims  to  mitigate  the  risk  of preventable  diseases  that  can  have  severe
consequences  for both mothers  and  infants.  Vaccinations have  proven to  be  one  of the  most
successful and cost-effective public health interventions. Ensuring comprehensive immunization
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for pregnant women  can  lead  to  healthier pregnancies,  safer deliveries,  and  improved  overall
matemal and child health outcomes.
In  addition  to  immunization,  this  proposed  legislation  puts  emphasis  on  the  importance  of
accessible and comprehensive matemal  healthcare  services.  Disparities  in  access to healthcare
persist, particularly among vulnerable populations and in certain regions. This legislation seeks
to  address these  disparities  by establishing matemal  health  centers  and  support programs that
cater  to  the  unique  needs  of  pregnant  women.   These  efforts  align  with  the   Sustainable
Development  Goals  and  global  strategies   for  reducing  matemal  mortality  and  improving
matemal health.
Furthermore,  this  proposed  legislation  recognizes  the  significance  of raising  awareness  and
promoting education about matemal health. Informed decision-making and early intervention are
pivotal in preventing complications and ensuring positive outcomes for both mothers and babies.
By   focusing   on   immunization,   improving   access   to   matemal   healthcare,   and   promoting
awareness,  we  aspire  to  significantly  reduce  matemal  mortality  rates,  enhance  the  health  of
expectant mothers, and contribute to the overall betterment of matemal and child health in the
country.
In view of the foregoing, urgent passage of this bill is sought.
CIRIACO a. GATO.JR.
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Republic of tlie Philippines
HOUSH 0F REPRHSENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSEBILLNo.935£
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR. MD. FPSO-HNS
AN ACT PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE MATERNAL HHALTHCARE INCLUDING
IMMUNIZATION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Section 1. Short title -This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Maternal Healthcare and
Immunization Act."
Section   2. 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 Filipino women, it is hereby
declared the policy of the State to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant Filipino women
by  providing  comprehensive  matemal  healthcare  services,  including  immunization,  to  reduce
matemal and infant mortality rates, promote healthy pregnancies, and contribute to the overall
well-being of families and communities.
Section 3. National Immunization Program for Pregnant Women - There is hereby established a
National Immunization Program under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall ensure that
pregnant  Filipino  women  and  newboms  are  sufficiently  protected  from  vaccine-preventable
diseases such as Influenza, Whooping cough ®ertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria.
Section  4.  Coverage  -  The  immunization  provided  under  this  Act  shall  cover  the  following
vaccine-preventable di seases:
a)   Influenza;
b)   Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping cough (Pertussis); and
c)   Such other vaccines as determined by the DOH  in  line with evidence-based guidelines
and global health recommendations and best practices in matemal and fetal health.
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Section  5.  Administration  of Vaccines  -  The  vaccines  shall  be  administered  for  free  in  any
government   hospital   or   health   facility,   and   in   communities   under   its   community-based
ilnmunization program, and in any private health facility if such is included in the PhilHealth
benefit   package.   The   DOH,   in   collaboration   with   the   Department   Interior   and   Local
Government, shall conduct community-based immunization programs for pregnant women.
The DOH shall periodically review and update the list of immunizations for pregnant women in
line with evidence-based medical guidelines and global health recommendations.
Section 6. Education and Awareness - All health care practitioners or healthcare workers who
are   administering   prenatal   care   shall   educate   pregnant   mothers   on   the   importance   of
immunization in safeguarding matemal and infant health and well-being, as well as the potential
risks and side effects.
Section  7. Access to matemal healthcare - The  DOH, in coordination with  local  government
units  (LGUs),  shall  ensure  the  availability  of  comprehensive  matemal  healthcare  services,
including  but  not  limited  to  prenatal  care  including  vaccinations,  nutrition  support,  prenatal
screening, counseling, and postnatal care, to all pregnant women.
Section  8.  The  LGUs  in  cooperation  with  the  DOH  are  mandated  to  upgrade  and  improve
devolved health  services  and medical  facilities to  ensure that they are adequately equipped to
provide comprehensive matemal healthcare services, including quality emergency obstetric care
(EMOC). Every barangay in the country should have a bifthing facility to help reduce the risk of
matemal and infant deaths.
Section 9. The LGUs shall encourage facility-based delivery and shall ensure the availability and
retention of health workers who deliver these health services.
Section 10. Reporting and Monitoring -The DOH shall submit to the Office of the President of
the   Philippines,   the   Senate   Committee   on   Health   and   Demography,   and  the   House   of
Representatives Committee on Health on or before the end of December of every year, or upon
the request of any of these said committees of Congress, a report giving a detailed account of the
status of the implementation of this Act.
Health  centers  and  other  healthcare  facilities  shall   maintain  accurate  records  of  matemal
healthcare  services  provided,   including  the  number  of  immunizations,  prenatal  check-ups,
deliveries, postpartum visits, and referrals made.
Section 11. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this Act
shall be charged to the current year's appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such funds as may
be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.
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Section  12.  Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations  -  The  DOH  shall,  in  consultation  with  the
National Immunization Committee, issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety
(90) days after the approval of this Act.
Section  13.  Separability Clause  -  If for any reason,  any part or provision  of this Act shall  be
declared  unconstitutional  or  invalid,  the  remaining  provisions  hereof which  are  not  affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section  14.  Effectivity  Clause  -This Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its  complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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