| S. °F REPRESENTATIVES

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Republic of the eps

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI ar -

Quezon City, Metro Manila ae UINOY

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRES: a

First Regular Session

REGISTRATION | AIT
House Bill No. 760 GILLS AND WWE X SERVICE

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, ninety five children die every single day due to
malnutrition, The state of a child’s health depends on a healthy mother during
pregnancy and even prior to conception. Thirty-two million babies are born Small for
their Gestational Age and fetal growth restrictions cause more than 800,000 deaths
each year in the first month of life, which accounts for more than 25% of all newborn
deaths.' Many of these tragedies could be prevented if mothers are given proper care
during pregnancy. During pregnancy mothers should be receiving optimum amounts
of folic acid, protein, calcium and other micronutrients in order to ensure the proper
growth and development of the fetus.

Newborms with fetal growth restrictions are at an increased risk of being
stunted at twenty-four months and developing non-communicable diseases
adulthood.’ Undernutrition due to fetal growth restrictions, suboptimum breastfeeding
or total absence of breastfeeding, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, among others,
causes 45% of all deaths of children below five years of age. This strengthens the case
for particular attention to be given during the first 1000 days of a child’s life, from
conception until the second year.

From conception in the womb until the first two years of a child's life are vital
for the child's future mind and body development. It can be difficult for parents,
especially new parents, to navigate the recommendations from literature, the media,
friends, and family, with regard to the proper nutrition for the child. Without the
proper guidance and support, malnutrition is a real threat to many Filipino children.

' Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, and the Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group, Maternal and
child under-nutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet 2013.
? Ibid.

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This bill, a re-filing of House Bill No. 5431 by Rep. Rogelio J. Espina, seeks
to assist parents in providing the best possible nutrition for the mother and her
children by establishing a nutrition education and support program for the first
thousand days of life of each child, from conception until two years of age.

Banta & Kellan

EMMELINE Y. AGLIPAY ~ VILLAR
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

760

House Bill No. |”

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE
PROGRAM TO PROTECT FILIPINO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FROM
MALNUTRITION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

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

SECTION 1. The Department of Health (DOH) shall, in coordination with the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), develop a comprehensive health care
program for pregnant and lactating women, as well as the health and nutrition of their
newborn children from day 1 to day 1,000.

For purposes of this Act, the “1,000-day period” starts from day one of
pregnancy up to the age of two (2) years.

SECTION 2. The maternal and child health care services which may be
provided to eligible individuals during the 1,000-day period include the following:

a) Instruction and counseling regarding future health care for the mother and
child;
'b) Nutrition counseling;

c) Counseling and education concerning all aspects of prenatal care, childbirth
and motherhood;

d) Milk-feeding program for pregnant and nursing mothers, including
breastfeeding for new-born children;

€) Treating malnourished children with special and therapeutic foods; and
) General family counseling, including child and family development.

Pregnant women and their new-born children up to the age of two (2) years,
shall be entitled to receive maternal and child health care services provided in this
section.

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SECTION 3. Appropriations - The amount necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be charged to the current appropriations for the Department of
Health. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination
with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and Secretary of Social
Welfare and Development promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders,
administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,

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