SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TI-IE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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S.B. 
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Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT FILIPINO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FROM MALNUTRITION BY 
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE PROGRAM AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE 
Explanatory Note 
The first 1,000 days of a child's life is most critical for growth and development; 
consequently, hunger and poor nutrition during this period can have irreversible consequences. 
The first 1,000 days refers to the period that begins with day one ofa woman's pregnancy 
until her child's 2nd birthday. The brain and nervous system development begins early in 
pregnancy and is largely complete by the time the child reaches the age of2. The damage to health, 
physical growth and brain development of infants affected by chronic under-nutrition can cause 
"stunting." Smaller than their non-stunted peers, stunted children are more susceptible to sickness 
and have lower chances of finishing school. They enter adulthood more prone to non-
communicable disease and are less productive. 
Malnutrition during this critical period of development for a child has not been adequately 
addressed in the Philippines. Although there are supplementary feeding programs which are 
undertaken by the DSWD and the DepED, these programs target children of two years and older, 
when children are already in either Day Care or Elementary school. It is obvious that poverty is 
one of the driving canses for this situation. Hence, what is needed is a program to combat 
malnutrition during the first 1,000 days, specifically targeting the vulnerable sectors. The World 
Health Organization of the United Nations strongly recommends proper health care on the first 
1,000 days of a child. The right nutrition during this 1,000 days has a profound impact on the 
ability of the child to grow, learn and lead a long-term healthy and stable life. 
Under-nutrition in the Philippines remains a serious problem. Available data show large 
numbers of Filipino children are undernourished: 3.6 million of children 0-59 months are 
underweight; and 4 million are stunted. l The 2012 report conducted by the Food and Nutrition 
Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) shows that 25% or one 
in every four pregnant women is undernourished. Babies who are malnourished in the womb have 
a higher risk of dying in infancy and are more likely to face lifelong cognitive and physical defects 
and chronic health problems. 
This bill seeks to establish a mother and child health care program in every barangay, in 
order to protect mothers and children from malnutrition. Maternal nutrition is vital because the 


health to the mother while pregnant, affects the development of the fetus. There is an imperative 
need to provide prenatal and postnatal maternity care service to a pregnant woman in order to 
protect her health as well as ensure the nutritional diet of her newborn child to eradicate 
malnutrition. The program shall include early and exclusive breastfeeding; timely, safe, 
appropriate and high-quality complementary food; and appropriate micronutrient interventions. 
This legislation will supplement my advocacy and one of the first policy measures that I 
filed in this Congress, "Sustansiya Sa Batang Pilip ina Act of20 13" - a feeding program for school 
children. 
Significantly, 
the bill is also a counterpart to House Bill No. 5431 tiled by 
Representative Rogelio J. Espina (Biliran, Lone District). 
Though hunger and malnutrition in children of any age are alarming public health issues, 
intervention during the 1,000-day window is critical and deserves our urgent attention, thns 
approval of this bill is earnestly recommended. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS or THE REPUBLIC 
or THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
S EN A LIi. 
S.B. 
~155 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
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TO PROTECT FILIl'INO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN FROM MALNUTRITION BY 
ESTABLISHING A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o/Representatives o/the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "First 1,000 Days Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is hereby declared the policy of the State: (a) To 
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equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. (b) To recognize 
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the right ofthe child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, and the duty of 
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the State to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services 
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ror purposes of this Act, the "First 1,000 days" refers to the period starting from Day One 
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ofa woman's pregnancy, until the child reaches the age of two years. 
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SECTION 3. Establishing a First 1000 Days Program in every barangay. -
The 
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Department of Health (DOH) shall, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local 
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Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National 
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Nutrition Council (NNC), and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and 
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Technology (FNRI-DOST), develop a comprehensive health care program for pregnant and lactating 
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women as well as the health and nutrition of their newborn children from I to 1,000 days, in every 
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barangay. 
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SECTION 4. Program Content. - The maternal and child health care services which may 
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be provided to eligible individuals during the I,OOO-day period shall include the following: 
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a) Instruction and counseling regarding future health carc for the mother and child; 
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b) Nutrition counseling; 
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c) Milk-feeding program for pregnant and nursing mothers, including breastfeeding for 
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new-born children; 
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d) Treating malnourished children with special and therapeutic foods; 
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e) General family counseling, including child and family development; and 
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f) Timely intervention through safe, appropriate and high-quality complementary food. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the 


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Interior and Local Government, and Secretary of Social Welfare and Development and 
representatives of recognized women's and children's organizations and academic communities, 
promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Appropriation. ~ To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as may 
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
amount necessary for the continuous operation ofthe RiJ.s.Program shall be included in the annual 
appropriation of the DOJfl(/J 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
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letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with any 
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provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved,