SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OI< THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENA 
S. B. No.
ri54
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BILLS
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT ESTABLISI UNO REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG PREGNANT 
WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The National Statistics Ollicc reported that more and more younjj women, particularly 
teenagers, are giving birth and becoming mothers at an early age. In 2010, a total of two 
hundred seven thousand eight hundred ninety eight (207,898) mothers aged twenty and below 
gave birth, compared to one hundred twenty six thousand twenty five (126,025) in 20001.
To ease the burden of young child-bearing women, the proposed law seeks to establish refuge 
and medical assistance centers all over the country. 1 he center will serve as a temporary shelter 
to pregnant women, who by reason of their youth, need protection and assistance of the State. 
The proposed bill likewise aims to provide young women medical assistance and guidance in 
child-care and self-enhancement, as well as livelihood generation.
The provision of the proposed law is consistent with the policy of the State recognized in 
Section 3, Article XV of the Philippine Constitution which provides that: “the State shall... 
defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special 
piotection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions 
prejudicial to their development. It is likewise a recognition of women’s fundamental role in 
nation-building as declared in Article II, Section 14 of the Philippine Constitution.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.
m a r / a  l o
Senator
DES NANCY S. BINAY
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SKVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLiC ) 
OF rilE PHILIPPINES 
)
FirsJ Regular Session 
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S. B. No.
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BILLS
(DEX
Introduced by Senator IMaria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
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AN ACT ESTABLISHING REFUGE AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG PREGNANT 
WOMEN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURJJOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the 
Assistance Act.”
'Young Women’s Refuge and
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the 
dignity of young women and recognize their fundamental role in nation-building. Towards this 
end, the State shall protect and promote the physical, moral, and social well-being of young 
women by providing them with facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and 
assist them in their endeavors with a goal to help them realize their full potential in the service 
of the nation.
SECTION 3. K.stablishment of Refuse and Assistance Centers. In order to carry out the above- 
declared policy, there shall be established in every province and city all over the country 
Refuge and Assistance Centers for Young Pregnant Women (hereinafter referred to as the 
“Centers”).
SECTION 4. Beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of this law shall include all young women who 
are twenty-one years (21) of age and below who are pregnant, or who sulTered a miscarriage 
or abortion, and their children.
SECTION 5. Refuse and Assistance ( enter. The Centers shall be under the management and 
supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (“DSWD”) with the 
coordination and assistance of the Department of Health (“DOH”). The Centers shall be 
headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Directors 
of the Centers shall hold a masters or doctorate degree in Social Work or Community 
Development or similar courses and shall have a minimum experience of five (5) years in 
counseling, social and psychological services and other related field or experience.
Each Center shall have the following personnel: (a) at least one doctor or midwife; and (b) 
such other personnel necessary to provide assistance to the beneficiaries of this Act.
SECTION 6. Functions of the Centers. The Centers shall have the following functions, 
a) 
to provide temporary shelter and refuge to beneficiaries of this Act;


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b) 
to provide free medical assistance, including monthly pre-natal checkup, or such other 
care for young women to prevent potential risks from child-bearing, and all other medical 
services for childbirth and delivery, and provide them free pre-natal vitamin and other 
medication;
to undertake programs geared towards the development of maternal and child health care 
self-enhancement and the development of skills for livelihood generation, social 
communication, and other related skills which will help women and children to become 
productive members of society; and
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to perform such other function as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this 
Act.
SECTION 7. Rehcihilitation and Development Program. The DSWD in coordination with 
DOH shall, within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, formulate a program for the 
rehabilitation, development and protection of young women and children.
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DSWD in coordination with DOH 
shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months from the 
approval of this Act.
SECTION 9. Funding and Appropriattons. The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the DSWD under the 
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the 
continued operation and maintenance of the Centers shall be included in the regular 
appropriations for the DSWD in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC 1 ION 10. Repeating Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations that 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any section or part of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation
Approved.