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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Out with the old: Bill strengthening Philippine midwifery industry hurdles House 

Out with the old: Bill strengthening Philippine midwifery industry hurdles House 

Published May 16, 2024 01:18 am

At A Glance

  • A House measure that seeks to replace two much older laws of the local midwifery profession--including one that was enacted 64 years ago--has been unanimously approved on third and final reading. 

IMG-48a14b7540887cf43d374371d45e15c6-V-01.jpegHouse of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

A House measure that seeks to replace two much older laws of the local midwifery profession--including one that was enacted 64 years ago--has been unanimously approved on third and final reading.

Garnering 186 "yes" votes, zero "no" votes and zero abstentions during plenary session Wednesday night, May 15 was House Bill (HB) No. 10079, titled “An Act Strengthening the Practice of Midwifery as a Profession in the Philippines".

“We must pay tribute to and honor our midwives, the unsung heroes in providing compassionate care and expertise to mothers and newborns. They are the backbone of maternal and child care," Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, said after the bill's passage.

"We laud their hard work and dedication. We need to help them equip their skills and gain more knowledge in their profession,” Romualdez said.

The measure, once enacted, will repeal two old laws: the Philippine Midwifery Law or Republic Act (RA) No.2664, enacted in June 1960; and the Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992 or RA No.7392.

“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 principal author, Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr.

“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,” noted Pleyto.

HB No.10079 establishes the “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 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.

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.

It can also issue subpoena ad testificandum (oral testimonies) and duces tecum (documentary evidence); and can “punish with contempt persons obstructing, impeding, or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings upon application with the court", the measure stated.

Persons found to be violating this bill, “subject to the approval of the PRC", shall upon conviction, suffer a fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P100,000, or to be penalized for an imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than seven years, upon the court’s discretion.

Related Tags

salvador pleyto sr. midwifery Martin Romualdez third reading
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