Key Features of RH BILLS IN THE SENATE – SBN 40, 43 & 87

The 3 Senate RH bills and the House bill differ in the specific provisions, but they share the same objectives as follows:

• to provide couples and individuals accurate information & education, and safe & affordable RH services at the national and local level, including maternal, infant and child health care; family planning; prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; adolescent and youth health care services; prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs); elimination of violence against women; education and counseling on sexuality and sexual health; treatment of breast & reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions; male involvement in reproductive health; and prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction.

Key Provisions of the RH Bills in the Senate - SBN 40, 43 & 87

1. Senate Bill No. 40
(Sen. Rodolfo Biazon)
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE STRUCTURES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SHORT TITLE:
“Reproductive Health Act”
Declaration of Principles.

The State recognizes and guarantees the human rights of all persons :
· equality and equity
· development,
· to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood,
· the promotion of gender equality, equity and women’s empowerment as a health and human rights concern,
· access to information and education, and universal access to safe, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services.

The Reproductive Health Management Council (RHMC)). - A Reproductive
Health Management Council (RHMC) shall be established in the Department of Health. The
RHMC shall be the central advisory, planning and policy-making body for the comprehensive
and integrated implementation of all reproductive health care programs and services in the
country.

Members:
a) Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development;
b) Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government;
c) Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment;
d) Secretary, Department of Education;
e) Lead convener, National Anti-Poverty Commission;
f) Chairperson, Commission on Population;
g) Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women;
h) Chairperson, National Youth Council;
i) Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education;
j) Two representatives of local government units to be nominated in a process determined by all the leagues of local government units, and to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years; and
k) Three (3) representatives from NGOS, who shall be composed of one (1) representative each from among the sectors representing women, youth and health, with a proven track record of involvement in the promotion of reproductive health.


2. Senate Bill No. 43
(Sen. Panfilo Lacson)
AN ACT CREATING A REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RELATIVE TO SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SHORT TITLE:
“Reproductive Health Act”
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
· value the dignity of every human person and affords full protection to people’s rights
· uphold the right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy
Reproductive Health and Population Management Council:

- the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) as Co-Chairpersons
Members:
a. Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
b. Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd)
c. Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOLE)
d. Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
e. Executive Director of the Commission on Population (Popcorn)
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
j. Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)
k. Three (3) representatives from the local government units nominated by the leagues of local government units and to be appointed by the President
l. 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.

3. Senate Bill No. 187
(Sen. Rodolfo Biazon)
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INTEGRATED POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY, STRENGTHENING ITS IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SHORT TITLE:
Integrated Population and Development Act.

Declaration of Policies. - The State shall

• provide adequate social services,
• promote full employment, a rising standard of living and improved quality of life for all.
• protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.
• ensure sustainable development and guarantee human rights
• recognize the dynamic interrelationships of population, development and environment integrate into national and local policies, programs, strategies the appropriation, allocation and mobilization of resources at all levels.

Implementing Mechanism

- national, regional, local and government agencies are tasked to integrate population, development and environment variables into the planning, implementation, allocation, mobilization of resources and evaluation of their respective programs.

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) shall serve as the central coordinating body for the implementation of this Act. It shall be an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The following agencies, in addition to their primary mandates and functions, are hereby tasked to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act:

NEDA, DOH, DILG, DENR, DSWD, DOLE, POEA, HUDCC, NAPC, NCRFW, NYC, TESDA, The UP Population Institute (UPPI), PIA, The Leagues, private sector: e.g. corporations, companies, enterprises, civil society shall be represented in the crafting of policies, and development of programs.

Prepared by Abeth Tiongco-Cruda, Senate Committee on Health