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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3674

HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative ALYSSA SHEENA TAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Health Organization, the estimated maternal
mortality ratio per 100000 live births is 114 in 2015. Various factors are
responsible for the high mortality rate issue in the Philippines. The
Department of Health identifies complications related to pregnancy occurring
in the course of labor, delivery, and puerperium; hypertension complicating
pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium; postpartum hemorrhage; and
pregnancy with abortive outcome as main causes of maternal mortality.

In 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported a total of 1,731,289
live births. 91.6% of the total number of births were medically attended, and
there are still those who do not have access to the services of trained
professionals. Women in remote areas are at a disadvantage and are the ones
more prone to suffer birthing complications on account of the lack of access to
medical assistance. Considering the high rate of maternal mortality, the need
to provide professionals with formal training must be recognized as it is the
policy of the State to promote the people’s right to health and instill health
consciousness among them.

In a statement made by the United Nations Population Fund, the
organization highlights midwives as indispensable partners in reducing
maternal deaths. They play a significant role in providing essential maternal
and newborn health care. Thus, the instant bill mandates every city and
municipality in the Philippines to appoint a midwife in each of their
respective barangays. The barangay midwives appointed shall ensure that
mothers and infants within their area of responsibility are given necessary
health care services. In view of these circumstances, and in order to lower the
rate of maternal mortality, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Atty. Alyssa Sheena Tan
Representative, 4th District of Isabela


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. pc OUee

Introduced by Representative ALYSSA SHEENA TAN

AN ACT
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF ONE MIDWIFE FOR EACH BARANGAY,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Statement of the Policy. In accordance with Article II, Section 15 of the
Constitution, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to take a proactive role in
providing pre-natal and post-natal maternal, and newborn care. Towards this end, this Act
mandates the appointment of midwives in each barangay, thereby increasing access to
health care services.

SECTION 2. Appointment of Barangay Midwives. Every city and municipality shall appoint
a midwife in each of their respective barangays; Provided that remote areas where there are
no existing healthcare professionals and areas that have high maternal mortality rates shall
be given priority in the appointment of midwives. The barangay midwives shall, as much
as possible, come from the same barangay or municipality where he or she will be
appointed.

SECTION 3. Responsibility of Midwives. All barangay midwives shall ensure that mothers
and infants in their respective jurisdictions are given quality and essential health care
services, including, but not limited to the following:

1, Pre-natal and post-natal care;

2.) Breastfeeding support;

3.) Providing information on the importance of immunization, and ensuring
that infants are given the proper vaccines;

4.) Providing proper care and nutrition of both mothers and their infants;
an

5,) Such other duties as shall be determined by the Department of Health.

Barangay midwives are also mandated to observe the duties and obligations of a
public health worker as provided in Republic Act. 7305, hereinafter referred to by its short
title, “the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers”. It is further provided that barangay
midwives shall observe the Code of Conduct of for Public Health Workers.

SECTION 4. Qualifications of Barangay Midwives. No midwife shall be appointed in any
barangay unless they hold a valid certificate of registration and a midwife professional


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license in accordance with Republic Act No. 7392, otherwise known as the “Philippine
Midwifery Act of 1992”.

The Department of Health shall ensure that midwives are also equipped with Basic
Emergency Obstetric Care. It shall also determine the need to further provide barangay
midwives with a Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care training, subject to the
guidelines that the department may issue.

SECTION 5. Compensation and Benefits. All barangay midwives shall be appropriately
compensated by the Department of Health. Barangay midwives shall also be entitled to all
the benefits available under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Health, the
Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Civil Service Commission shall,
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, formulate and promulgate the rules
and regulations necessary for its implementation; Provided, that other concerned
government agencies and non-government organizations may be requested to assist in the
formulation of the same.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act
shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Health. For Local
Government Units, the requirements shall be taken from their internal revenue allotment
and other local funds. Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the appropriations of the Department of
Health and the Respective Local Government Units.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions that are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and other issuance
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,