House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives is poised to give final approval to the measure that seeks to strengthen the country’s midwifery industry before sine die adjournment on May 22. 

This, after the 300-plus strong chamber approved House Bill (HB) No.10079 or the proposed Philippine Midwifery Act on second reading last week. 

“There is a need to address the challenges in the midwifery profession to become well-equipped and highly-skilled in offering quality healthcare services for the Filipino people locally,” Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr., principal author of the bill, said during his sponsorship speech. 

Pleyto, through HB No.10079, intends to strengthen the regulatory and professional practice of midwifery in the Philippines. 

The measure seeks to repeal two older laws of the same nature, namely Republic Act (RA) No.2644 or the “Philippine Midwifery Law" of 1960, and RA No.7392 or the "Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992". 

Pleyto justified the need to enact HB No.10079, and said that it will ensure "globally competitive[ness] in the midwifery practice". 

“Both laws have been enacted several decades ago. It is only but proper to repeal the said republic acts to adapt to the changing times,” said the neophyte lawmaker in the 19th Congress. 

There are at least six sessions days to go before Congress adjourns sine die on Wednesday, May 22. This means the Speaker Martin Romualdez-led House has ample time to take up the bill on third and final reading. 

“This bill is equipped with provisions that will help existing midwives to gain more knowledge in the practice of their profession. This is a tribute to our midwives who have been serving our country for almost all their lives,” said the solon from Bulacan. 

A key provision of HB No.10079 is the creation of a “Board of Midwifery” which will be composed of four members, and shall be under the “direct supervision” of the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) that regulates almost all professions, especially the medical health industry, in the country.  

The Midwifery Board shall “supervise and regulate” the practice of the profession; is authorized to “issue, suspend or revoke certificates of registration” for the industry; is allowed to “conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints” against midwives for malpractice and others.  

The five-man “collegial body” will be headed by a chairperson, all of whom will be “appointed” by the incumbent or sitting President; whose chairperson shall enjoy a six-year term of office “without reappointment". 

Two other members shall serve for four years, also “without reappointment”, while the other two shall only serve three years “subject to reappointment but for only one term". “Any vacancy in the Board within the term of a member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only," it said.