THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Third Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 2631 
Introduced by Senator Manuel Wto" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the goal of this legislative measure to mainstream and promote the rights of 
our children and babies by promoting a culture that is sensitive and responsive to their 
needs. 
At present, there are a few baby-friendly places where mothers could comfortably 
care for their babies and address their baby's needs. This poses a problem for mothers 
who bring along their babies to malls, department stores, entertainment centers and 
public food chains because many of these establishments do not have baby friendly 
facilities and baby diaper-changing tables. Hence, there is a need for the State to 
mandate the provision of baby-friendly facilities in these institutions in order to promote 
a culture that is responsive to the vision of the UN Convention on the Rights of the 
Child. 
For this purpose, this bill mandates that public-serving establishments should 
establish baby-friendly facilities in their duly designated restrooms and sanitary facilities 
so that mothers could easily address the needs of their babies while inside these 
buildings and facilities. This measure is likewise consistent with the goal to empower 
our mothers by addressing the needs of their babies, particularly when these babies are 
brought to these public establishments. 
Furthermore, under this bill, an establishment, after showing proof of compliance 
with the provisions of this Act, may use the designation "Baby-Friendly Establishment" 
in its promotional materials in order to bring forth customers in its business. 
In closing, there are many difficulties faced by mothers in raising their babies. 
Although this bill does not profess to solve all their problems, it earnestly seeks to 
lighten their physical burdens by providing a clean and well maintained baby friendly 
facilities and baby diaper-changing tables which they can use to address the needs of 
their babies. Our children are the State's most precious and valuable resource. It is for 
this reason that the State ought to promote legislative measures that are responsive to 
their needs. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly s 
MANUEL w t o ~  
M. LAPID 
9 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel WtoYy 
M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REWRING 
NEW 
PUBLIC-SERVING 
AND 
NEWLY 
REWATED 
PUBLIC-SERVING 
ESTABLISHMENTS 
TO 
PROYIDE BABY FRIENDLY FACILITIES AND FOR OTHER 
PU-SES 
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 "Baby-Friendly 
Establishments Act of 2007". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration ofPolicy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill consciousness among 
them and to defend the rights of our children to assistance, including proper care and 
child-friendly facilities. 
Towards this end, the State shall promote and encourage the establishment of 
baby-friendly facilities in public-serving establishments and newly renovated public- 
serving establishments in order to promote a culture that is sensitive to the needs of our 
children and babies. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, a "Public-Serving 
Establishment" shall be defined as: 
(i) 
a hospital, medical center, or clinic providing outpatient, nursing or 
treatment in medical, psychiatric for which a building permit is issued on 
or at least six months after the effectivity of this Act; 
a grocery store, mall, commercial building, fast food chain, restaurant, and 
hotel which a building permit is issued on or at least six months after the 
effectivity of this Act; and 
(ii) 


(iii) 
a new amusement game arcade or game park, carnivals, movie theater 
and zoo, for which a construction permit is issued on or at least six months 
after the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 4. 
Establishment of Baby-Friendly Facilities. - 
It is hereby 
mandated that a new public-serving establishment, as defined under Section 3 of this 
Act, shall provide baby friendly facilities, including baby diaper-changing tables and 
facilities, in its designated public restroom and sanitary facilities. 
For purposes of this Act, the term “baby diaper-changing table” shall mean a 
sturdy table or other elevated surface that has a changing surface that is at least 36 
inches above floor level and is not used for any purpose other than diaper changing. 
The DOH shall ensure that the baby friendly diaper-changing table must be adjacent to 
or near the bathroom sink; have a clean and moisture-proof surface; be sturdy and 
maintained in good repair: and be kept free of all objects except those used for baby 
diaper changing. 
For purposes of protecting the public health, safety and welfare of our children, 
the DOH is mandated to be the implementing agency for this Act and shall ensure that 
all public establishments comply with the provisions of this Act. 
Furthermore, the DOH is hereby mandated to determine the dimension and 
placement requirements for the baby-friendly facilities and baby diaper-changing tables 
and is required to conduct a year-round monitoring of all establishments covered under 
this Act. 
SEC. 5. 
Exemption from Coverage. - Upon application and as determined 
by the Secretary of DOH, exemption from Section 4 of this Act may be made where the 
establishment of baby-friendly facilities is determined to be too small to accommodate a 
diaper-changing table, or is not feasible or necessary due to the peculiar circumstances 
of the public establishment taking into consideration, among others, physical size of the 
establishment and the average number of mothers who visit the place. 
SEC. 6. 
informational Maferials - The DOH, in coordination with the 
various local government units, is mandated to develop, produce and make available 
relevant information materials intended to inform establishments and the general public 
of the benefits of this Act, particularly to the mothers and their babies. 
SEC. 7. 
Designation as “Baby - Friendly” Establishment. - A public- 
serving and newly renovated public-serving establishment that complies with Section 4 
of this Act may use the designation “Baby-Friendly Esfablishment” in its promotional 


materials. The establishment shall submit proof of compliance to the DOH, which may 
issue a certificate that such establishment has complied with all the requirements. The 
DOH shall maintain a list of "Baby-Friendly Estab/isbments" and make the list available 
for public inspection. 
SEC. 8. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), in 
consultation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
SEC. 9. 
Penalty Clause. - Any establishment, as defined under Section 4 
of this Act, who refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act and its Rules 
and Regulations shall be imposed a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 
50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) on the 
first offense. 
On the Second Offense, a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php 100,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00). 
On the Third Offense, a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
200,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00): 
Provided, That for private establishments, the business permit or license to operate 
shall be cancelled or revoked. 
In all cases, the fine imposed should take into consideration, among others, 
employee composition, physical size of the establishment and the average number of 
mothers who visit the area. 
SEC. I O .  
Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 12. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,