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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
3 
PZ :I5 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
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Introduced by Senator Lacson 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Two of the overriding problems that bedevil the Philippines are an inordinately enonnous 
debt service and an extremely huge population. 
This bill addresses the second problem on an uncontained population escalation that 
aggravates the debt menace, hampers delivery of reproductive health care services and derails 
sustainable human development. 
The present population of the country of 82.6 million has galloped from 60.7 million 14 
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years ago. This makes the Philippines the 12“ most populous nation in the world today. The 
population growth rate is 2.36% and is among the highest in the world. The Filipino women’s 
fertility rate of 3.7% is at the upper bracket of 206 countries. With four babies born every minute, 
the population is expected to balloon to an alarming 160 million in 2038. 
Due to overpopulation, the current budget for education of P98 bdion translates to a ratio of 
only P21.71 daily per student/pupil in elementary and high school or P4,558.00 per student/pupil 
nationwide on an annualized basis for a 1 0-month school year. 
This education outlay pales in comparison with the appropriation for education of our Asian 
neighbors. Our govefnment’s appropriation for education is only 1/1 l& of that of Singapore; 1/5” of 
that of Malaysia and only 1/8& of Thailand‘s allocation for basic education. 
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This’meager budget for education, which is further diminished to no small measure by our 
exceedingly large student population of 21.5 million in both public and private elementary and high 
schools, results in the current shortages of 40,000 classrooms and 50,000 teachers in public schools 
alone. The current textbook to student ratio is 1:2 at best with reports of a grim 1:4 in far-flung 
schools. This is far from the ideal of 1:l. The teacher-student ratio in public schools goes as high as 
1:80 when the ideal ratio to maximize effective learning is 1:36. 
These stark statistics do not even include the public sector outlay for tertiary education 
which, although sizeable, is still far from adequate. 
Indeed, due to the inordinate number of enrollees, quality education remains a cherished 
dream and an unrealizable commitment. * 
The same is true with respect to the health budget of P10.723 billion for the current fiscal 
year. This amounts to a minuscule P0.35 per capita daily. This is scandalously low compared to the 
daily per capita outlay for health care services of our Asian neighbors: Japan, P343.94; Singapore, 
P103.96; Thailand, P17.17; Malaysia and Indonesia, P12.41. 
A huge population is an albatross on limited resources which when spread out too thinly to 
“reach” the multitude becomes grossly inadequate and effectively meaningless. The number of 
Filipinos living below the poverty line has reached 40% of the total population. Compare this to 
poverty statistics of other Asian countries: Taiwan (1.0%), Malaysia (8.0%), Thailand (12.5%) and 
Indonesia (27%), and the country’s poverty is indeed abysmal. 
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The internationally accepted indicators of well-being like access to potable water, sanitary 
toilets and nieaningfbl employment rank the Philippines way below the ladder of development. The 
data show that 21.5% or 17.7 million Filipinos have no potable water; 19.15% or 15.8 million have 
no access to sanitary toilet facilities; 13.7% or 5 million are currently unemployed and 18.75 or 6.8 
million are underemployed. 
The state of health of a nation’s children is often indicative of the kind of society in which 
they live. Filipino children (0-18 years) comprise 45% of the entire population and the statistics 
culled on their state of health and well-being is bone-chilling. Consider the following: 
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The Food and Nutrition Research Institute has estimated that 3.7 million pre-school 
children are underweight (acute or present malnutrition), 3.8 million are stunted (growth 
failure) and 0.7 million are wasted (enfeebled stale); 
49% of the total population of infanta and 26% of the total population of children with 
ages ranging from 1-6 years old suffer from iron-deficiency anemia; 
There are about five million child laborers and more than 1.5 million street children in the 
country; and 
There are 60,000 prostituted children and their numbers increase by 3,266 annually 
making the Philippines the fourth country with the most number of prostituted children. 
The following statistics specifically on reproductive health in the Philippines are similarly 
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An infant mortality rate of 36 for every 1,000 live births; 
Maternal mortality rate of 172 for every 100,000 live births; 
10 women die every 24 hours from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth; 
Out of every 100 children who die before reaching the age of five, 38 deaths are due to 
curable diseases; and 
Approximately 280,000 teenaged girls every year end up becoming mothers before they 
reach the age of 20. 
According to studies conducted by the National Statistics Office, the current national 
contraceptive unmet ,need of poor women is 26.4% and for non-poor, the rate is 17.0%. The level 
and scope of unmet need in the country is clearly indicated by the high levels of unplanned births 
(18.2% in 1998) due,to lack of access to family planning services (National Demographic and Health 
Survey 2000). The difference between actual total fertility rate of 3.7 children versus the real number 
of desired children which is 2.7 also validates the unmet need for family planning assistance 
(National Demographic and Health Survey 2000). 
These dismal Istatistics are due to the lack of access to adequate information on reproductive 
health and regular and timely dispensation of reproductive health care services. 
In a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in February 2004, 97% of the respondents believed that 
is was important to have the freedom to decide the size of one’s family and another 71% regarded a 
fast-growing population as a hindrance to economic development. Moreover, 82% believed that 
candidates for elective positions who supported the “free use of couples as to family planning 
methods” should be elected. 
While majority of women of reproductive age are receptive to the use of safe contraceptive 
methods, techniques and devices, family planning services and supplies are lamentably inaccessible. 
This results in the prevalence of induced abortions which tp U p  Population Institute estimates to be 
close to 400,000 annually. It is estimated that 100,000 w q e n  each year are hospitalized because of 
serious post-abortion complications. 
This bill continues to proscribe abortion which is a crime under the Revised Penal Code. 
However, when abortion is resorted to, despite the prohibition, there is a need to manage post- 
abortion complications in a humane and compassionate manner. The patient should not be suffered 
to die due to her desperation. 


As a preventive measure against abortion this bill provides for timely, complete and accurate 
information and education on reproductive health as well .as ready access to safe, adequate and 
affordable reproductive health care services. Thus, it guarantees freedom of choice of individuals 
and couples on the number and spacing of their children, even as this bill considers two (2) children 
as the ideal family size. 
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An effective reproductive health education does not only instill consciousness of freedom of 
choice but responsible exercise of one’s rights. According to the United Nations Population Fund: 
“It has been repeatedly shown that reproductive health education leads to responsible behavior, 
higher levels of abstinence, later initiation of sexuality, higher use of contraception, and fewer sexual 
partners. These good effects are even greater when parents can talk honestly with their children 
about sexual and reproductive matters.” 
It is imperative that reproductive health and sexuality education should start early among the 
young people. It has to be initiated by parents and adult members of the family who are considered 
role models by their children. 
Reproductive health and sexuality education at home should be sustained and complemented 
by formal education in schools. 
Reproductive health and sexuality education seeks to assist young people in understanding a 
positive view of the reproductive system and human sexuality, provide them with information and 
skills about taking care of their reproductive and sexual health, and help them make sound decisions 
now and in the hture. 
Comprehensive reproductive health and sexuality education programs have four main goals: 
To provide complete, accurate and relevant information on the reproductive system and 
its hnctions and processes and human sexuality; 
To provide an opportunity for young people to develop and understand their values, 
attitudes, and beliefs about sexuality; 
To help young people develop relationships and interpersonal skills; and 
To help young people exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships, including 
addressing abstinence, pressures to engage prematurely involved in sexual intercourse, 
and the use of contraception and other sexual health measures 
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“Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy”, a report released by The 
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy in 2001, concluded that: 
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The tragic sc(pnario cited above is principally rooted in overpopulation and the lack of an 
integrated national p,olicy on reproductive health in connection with population management and 
sustainable human development. This bill addresses these urgent concerns. 
Sexuality &d HTV education do not hasten sexual activity; 
Education about abstinence and contraceptioq are compatible rather than in conflict with 
each other; and 
Making condoms available does not increase sexual behavior 
Verily, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
PZ 35 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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BY ’ 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No ___ 
Introduced by Senator Lacson 
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AN ACT 
CREATING A REPRODUCTWE HEALTH AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT 
COUNCIL FOR TEE MPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED POLICY ON 
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RELATIVE TO SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 
AND POPVLATION MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philzppines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Reproductive Health Act of 
2004”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
policy on reproductive health in connection with sustainable human development and effective 
population management that values the dignity of every human person and affords full protection to 
people’s rights. 
The State shall uphold the right of the people and their organizations to effective and 
reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy as its direct 
and ultimate beneficiaries. 
This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is better assured 
with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive citizens. 
The State likewise guarantees universal access to safe, affordable and quality reproductive 
health care services, methods and devices even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children, 
among other underprivileged sectors. 
SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. -This Act declares the following as basic guiding principles: 
a. 
Since manpower is the principal asset of every country, effective reproductive health 
care services must be given primacy to ensure the birth of healthy children and to 
promote responsible parenting. 
The limited resources of the country cannot be suffered to be spread so thinly to service 
a burgeoning multitude that makes the allocations grossly inadequate and effectively 
meaningless. 
Freedom of choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be fully 
guaranteed by the State like the right itself. 
b. 
c. 


d. 
e. 
f. 
g. 
h. 
i. 
1. 
While the number and spacing of children are lei? to the sound judgment of parents and 
couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs, such concerned parents 
and couples, including unmarried individuals, should be afforded free and full access to 
relevant, adequate and enlightening information on reproductive health and human 
sexuality and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private 
practitioners. 
Reproductive health must be the joint concern of the National Government and Local 
Government Units 
Protection and promotion of gender equality and women’s rights are essential to the 
fulfillment of reproductive health rights 
Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of 
policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, 
more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized. 
Active participation by and thorough consultation with concerned nongovernment 
groups, communities and people’s organizations are imperative to ensure that basic 
policies, plans, programs and projects address the priority needs of beneficiaries. 
Respect for, protection and fhlfillment of reproductive health rights seek to promote not 
only the’rights and welfare of adult individuals and couples but those of adolescents’ 
and children’s as well. 
While the full range of family planning methods, techniques and devices shall be made 
available to couples and adults of reproductive age, abortion shall remain to be 
penalized under the Revised Penal Code and relevant jurisprudence. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms, - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be 
defined as follows: 
a. Reproductive health - the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not 
merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters @lating to the reproductive system and its 
functions and processes. 
b. Reproductive health rights - the rights of individuals and couples, subject to applicable 
laws, to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children; to make 
other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence; to have the 
infomation and means to carry out their decisions; and to attain the highest standard of sexual and 
reproductive health. 
c. Gender equality - the absence of discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex, in 
opportunities, allocation of resources and benefits, and access to services. 
d. Gender equity - fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities 
between women and men, and often requires women-specific projects and programs to eliminate 
existing inequalities, inequities, policies and practices unfavorable to women. 
e Reproductive Health Care - availability and access to a full range of qethods, techniques 
and services that contribute to reproductive and sexual health and well-being ,by preventing and 
solving reproductive health-related problems in order to achieve enhancement of life and personal 
relations. The elements of reproductive health care include: 


1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition, 
2. Family planning information and services; 
3. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; 
4 Adolescent and youth health; 
5 
Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), HIV/AIDS and 
other sexually transmittable infections (STIs); 
6. Elimination of violence against women; 
7 Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health; 
8. Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological 
conditions; 
9. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health; 
10. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; 
f. Responsible parenting - the will and the ability to respond to the needs and aspirations of 
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the family and children. 
g. Family planning - a program which enables couples and individuals to decide freely and 
responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to carry 
out their decisions, and to have informed choice and access to a full range of safe and effective 
family planning methods, techniques and devices, excluding abortion which is a crime. 
h. Adolescent sexuality - refers to the reproductive system, gender identity, values or beliefs, 
emotions, relationships and sexual behavior of young people as social beings. Adolescence refers to 
a life stage and pertains to people between the ages often (IO) and nineteen (19). 
i. Reproductive health and sexuality education - is the process of acquiring complete, 
accurate and relevant information in all matters relating to the reproductive system, its hctions and 
processes and human sexuality; and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, 
interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and gender roles It also includes developing the 
necessary skills to be able to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and sexuality; and critically 
evaluate and discuss the moral, religious, social and cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues 
such as contraception and abortion. 
j. 
Development - is a multi-dimensional process involving major changes in social 
structures, popular attitudes, and national institutions as well as the acceleration of economic growth, 
the reduction of inequality and the eradication of widespread poverty. 
k. Sustainable human development - the totality of the process of expanding human choices 
by enabling people to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives, affording them access to resources 
needed for a decent standard of living and assuring continuity and acceleration of development under 
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the Population-Resource-Environment (PIPE) framework which strikes a balance between 
population, adequate resources and healthy environment. 
1 Population management - a program that aims to: (a) encourage the litation of the 
number of children to an affordable level of two (2) children per family, (b) attain an optimum 
fertility rate vis-a-vis equitable allocation and utilization of resources; (c) realize a balanced spatial 
distribution of the population by discouraging migration to urban centers and decongesting thickly 
populated areas, (d) promote the effective partnership among the national government, local 
government units and the private sector in the design, implementation, coordination, integration, 
monitoring and evaluation of people-centered programs on population, development and 
environment; and (e) conduct studies on and provide incentives for the deceleration of population 
growth 
SEC. 5. Reproductive Health and Population Management Council. Pursuant to the 
herein declared policy, there is hereby constituted within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this 
Act a multi-agency body to be known as the Reproductive Health and Population Management 
Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council. It shall be composed of eighteen (18) members with 
the Secretary of the Department of Health @OH) and the Director General of the National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as Co-Chairpersons and the following as members: 
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a. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development @SWD) 
b. Secretary of the Department of Education @epEd) 
c Secretary of the Department of Labor @OLE) 
d. Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
e. Executive Director of the Commission on Population @opCom) 
f 
Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) 
g. Chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC) 
h. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
i. Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) 
j. Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission ("C) 
k. Three (3) representatives &om the local government units nominated by the leagues of 
local government units and to be appointed by $9 
President 
1. Three (3) representatives from nongovernment organizations. one (1) representative each 
from the women, youth and health sectors who have distinguished themselves in the 
promotion of reproductive health, human development and/or population management 
who shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees independently selected 
by the concerned NGOs. 
As much 8s practicable, the Secretaries of the departments and heads of agencies constituting 
the Council shall attend personally the meetings of the Council. Separate staffs on reproductive 
health, human development and population management in charge of the implementation of this Act 
shall be constituted by the member departments and offices within their respective agencies. 
SEC. 6. Functions of the Council. - As the central advisory, planning and formulating body 
of the comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health relative to human development 
and population management, the Council shall have the following functions: 


a. To integrate on a continuing basis the interrelated reproductive health, human 
development and population management agenda into a national policy, taking into 
account regional and local concerns. 
b. To provide the mechanism to ensure active and full participation of the private sector and 
the citizenry through their organizations in the planning and implementation of 
reproductive health care, population and development programs and projects. 
c. To ensure people's access to quality and affordable reproductive health goods and 
services. 
d. To facilitate the involvement and participation of nongovernment organizations and the 
private sector in reproductive health care service delivery and in the production, 
distribution and delivery of quality reproductive health and family planning supplies and 
commodities. 
e. To fully implement the Reproductive Health Care Program with the following 
components: 
1.) Reproductive and sexual health education including but not limited to 
counseling on the MI range of legal and medically-safe family planning 
methods. 
2.) Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal education, care and services. 
3 .) Promotion of male involvement, participation and responsibility in 
reproductive health as well as other reproductive health concerns of men. 
4.) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications. 
5.) Provision of information and services addressing the reproductive health 
needs of the poor, senior citizens, women in prostitution, differently-abled 
persons, and women and children in war crisis situations. 
f To ensure that reproductive health services are delivered with a full range of supplies, 
facilities and equipment and that service providers are adequately trained for reproductive 
health care. 
g. To recommend the enactment of legislation and adoption of executive measures that will 
strengthen and enhance 'the integrated policy on reproductive health, population and 
development. 
h. To hire and appoint personnel of the Secretariat and the Executive Director. 
i. To perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Secretariat. - The Council shall organize a Secretariat as its support and technical 
staff to be headed by an Executive Director, and shall determine their respective compensation, 
subject to applicable civil service laws, rules and regulations with a view to ensuring a competent 
and efficient secretariat: Provided, That nominees of nongovernment organizations shall be accorded 
preferential employment to ensure their active involvement and participation in all activities of the 
Council. 
SEC. 8. Qualifications, Powers, Punctions and lhties of the Executive Director. - The 
Executive Director of the Council shall have adequate experience in reproductive health, sustainable 
human development and population management and shall have the following powers, functions and 
duties: 
a. Execute, implement and enforce the policies, programs, projects, rules and regulations of 
the Council; 
b. Direct and supervise the operations and internal affairs of the Council; 
c. Establish the internal organization and administrative procedures of the Council, 
recommend to the Council the appointment of the necessary administrative and 
subordinate personnel; and 
d. Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such duties as are not specifically 
lodged in the Council. 


SEC. 9. Internal Revenue Allotment (W) 
for Reproductive Health. - Fifty (50%) 
percent out of the 20% Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of local government units (LGUs) 
which they are mandated to provide for local development projects under Section 287 of the “Local 
Government Code of 1991” (RA No, 7160) shall be appropriated by each LGU for reproductive 
health care services. 
The appropriation for reproductive health care services shall be included in the annual budget 
of LGUs effective Fiscal Year 2005. 
No local budget shall be approved without the requisite appropriation for reproductive health 
care services. 
Copies of the development plans of local government units shall be furnished the Department 
of Interior and Local Government and the Council. 
SEC. 10. Mobile Health Care Service. - Each Congressional District shall be provided with 
a van to he known as the Mobile Health Care Service (MHCS) to deliver health care goods and 
services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and needy, as well as disseminate 
knowledge and information on reproductive health Provided, That reproductive health and sexuality 
education shall be conducted by competent and adequately trained persons preferably reproductive 
health care providers: Provided, &rther, That a wide range of family planning methods, both 
naturaVtraditional and modern, shall be taught. 
The operation and maintenance of the MHCS shall be hnded from the Priority Development 
Assistance Fund (PDAF) of each Congressional District. 
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The MHCS shall be adequately equipped with a wide range of reproductive health care 
materials and information dissemination devices and equipment, the latter including but not limited 
to a television set for audio-visual presentation. 
SEC. 11. Mandatory Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education. - Reproductive 
Health and Sexuality Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained 
teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School. Reproductive Health and Sexuality 
Education shall commence at the start of the school year immediately following one year effectivity 
of this Act. The Council shall formulate the Sexuality Educytion curriculum, which shall be common 
to both public and private schools, based on the following subjects and standards: 
a. Reproductive health 
b. Reproductive health care and services 
c. Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual health 


d Proscription and hazards of abortion 
e Family planning and the number and spacing of children 
f 
NaturaVtraditional methods to prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancy 
g Use of modern contraceptive devices 
h Abstinence before marriage 
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Prevention and treatment of HIV/AlDS and other STIs/STDs 
SEC. 12. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers. - Barangay Health Workers 
shall undergo retraining on the delivery of reproductive health care services and shall receive a 10% 
increase in honoraria upon successful completion of training. 
SEC. 13. Ideal Family Size. -In order to attain the desired population growth rate, the State 
shall encourage two (2) children as the ideal fimily size. Children from these families shall have 
preference in the grant of scholarships at the tertiary level in all state colleges and universities. In 
addition, they shall automatically be enrolled as PhilHealth Card members entitled to all the rights 
and benefits of its regular members during their minority. 
SEC. 14. Incentives for the Manufacturehportation of Reproductive Health Care 
Commodities. - Local manufacturers of family planning devices and related reproductive health 
commodities shall enjoy personal and corporate income tax exemptions for three (3) years from the 
start of their operation or for three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. They shall have access 
to low interest bearing and concessionary capital loans from government banks. Importation of such 
devices and commodities, not locally manufactured, shall be levied reduced tariffs. 
SEC. 15. Employers’ Responsibilities. - Employers shall respect the reproductive health 
rights of their workers. Women shall not be discriminated against in the matter of hiring, 
regularization of employment status or selection for retrenchment. 
All Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) shall provide for the free delivery of 
reasonable reproductive health care services and devices to the workers, more particularly the 
women. 
SEC. 16. Private Practitioners’ Support. - Pursuant to Section 5 (b) hereof private 
reproductive health care service providers, including but not limited to gynecologists and 
obstetricians, shall endeavor to render such services free of charge or at reduced professional fee 
rates to indigent and low income patients. 
SEC. 17. Multi-Media Campaign. The Council shall initiate and sustain a heightened 
nationwide multi-media campaign to raise the level of publio awareness of the urgent need to protect 


and promote reproductive health care and rights relative to human development and population 
management. 
SEC. 18. Tax-Deductible Donations - All donations to the Council for the implementation 
of this Act shall be deductible to its full amount from the net personal or corporate income due from 
the donor. 
SEC. 19. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited: 
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a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall: 
1. Knowingly withhold information, or restrict the dissemination thereof, and/or 
intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on 
reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range 
of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods; 
2. Refuse to perform voluntary sterilization and ligation and other legal and medically- 
safe reproductive health care services on any person of legal age on the ground of 
lack of third party consent or authorization: Provided, That in the case of abused 
minors as certified to by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and 
pregnant minors, no prior parental consent qfidl be necessary; 
3. Fail or cause to fail deliberately, or through gross negligence, or inexcusable neglect, 
the delivery of reproductive health care services as mandated under this Act, the 
Local Govenunent Code of 1991, the Labor Code, and Presidential Decree 79, as 
amended; and 
4. Refuse to extend quality health care services and information on account of the 
provider’s marital status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, personal 
circumstances, and nature of work: Provided, That all conscientious objections of 
health care service providers based on ethical and religious grounds shall be 
respected: Provided, however, That the conscientious objector shall immediately refer 
the person seeking such care and services to another health care service provider 
within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible: Provickd, ,find&, 
That the person is not in an emergency condition or serious case as defined in RA 
8344 penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate 
initial medical treatment and support in emergency and serious cases. 
b) Any public official at both the national and local levels with power and authority over any 
subordinate who shall prohibit or intentionally restrict the delivery of legal and medically- 
safe reproductive health care services, including family planning. 
c) Any employer who shall require or cause a female applicant for employment or an employee 
to involuntarily submit herself to sterilization or pny contraceptive method, including but not 
limited to injection of depo provera as a condition for employment or continued 
employment. 
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d) Any person who shall engage in willfbl disinformation with respect to reproductive health 
care and rights or the provisions of this Act or cause such disinformation. 
SEC. 20. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging 
from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) or both such 
fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the proper court. If the offender is a juridical person, the 
penalty shall be imposed upon the President, Treasurer, Secretary or any person or officer 
responsible for the violation. If the offender is an alien, he/she shall, after service of sentence, be 


deported immediately without further proceedings in the Bureau of Immigration. If the offender is a 
public officer or employee, the Court shall, in addition to the penalties hereinabove provided, order 
hidher dismissal from the government service. 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health, National Economic and Development Authority 
and Commission on Population shall jointly promulgate, after thorough consultation with health and 
national multi-sectoral nongovernment organizations, the lules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act and shall ensure the full dissemination of the same to the public. 
SEC. 22. Bicameral Congressional Oversight Committee. - A Bicameral Congressional 
Oversight  committee^ is hereby created to regularly monitor and assess the implementation of this 
Act. The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members of the Senate and six (6) members of the 
House of Representatives who are active members of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on 
Population and Development (PLCPD) to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, respectively: Provided, That two (2) of the six (6) members coming 
from each Chamber shall represent the minority as designated by the respective minority leaders. 
SEC. 23. Appropriations. - The amount of PlOO million is initially appropriated to cany out 
the provisions of this Act. ThereaRer, such sums as may be necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual Gperal Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended 
or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 26. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days &er its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,