[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10354, December 21, 2012 ] AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as “The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes and guarantees the human rights of all persons including their right to equality and nondiscrimination of these rights, the right to sustainable human development, the right to health which includes reproductive health, the right to education and information, and the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood.
Pursuant to the declaration of State policies under Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the duty of the State to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution and equally protect the life of the mother...
Summary of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health
- Declares the State's policy to protect and promote reproductive health rights, gender equality, women empowerment, and responsible parenthood. (Section 2)
- Defines key terms related to reproductive health, family planning, and responsible parenthood. (Section 4)
Maternal Health and Skilled Birth Attendance
- LGUs shall hire adequate skilled health professionals for maternal health care and skilled birth attendance. (Section 5)
- LGUs shall establish or upgrade facilities for emergency obstetric and newborn care. (Section 6)
- Maternal death review and fetal and infant death review shall be conducted annually. (Section 8)
Access to Family Planning
- Public health facilities shall provide a full range of modern family planning methods, including for infertility issues. (Section 7)
- No person shall be denied information and access to family planning services, with exceptions for minors. (Section 7)
- The National Drug Formulary shall include hormonal contraceptives and other family planning supplies. (Section 9)
- The DOH shall procure, distribute, and monitor the usage of family planning supplies. (Section 10)
Reproductive Health Programs and Services
- Responsible parenthood and family planning shall be integrated into anti-poverty programs. (Section 11)
- PhilHealth benefits shall cover serious and life-threatening reproductive health conditions. (Section 12)
- LGUs may provide mobile health care services for reproductive health. (Section 13)
- Age-appropriate reproductive health education shall be provided in schools. (Section 14)
- A Certificate of Compliance on responsible parenthood and family planning shall be required for marriage licenses. (Section 15)
- Barangay health workers shall receive training on promoting reproductive health. (Section 16)
- Private healthcare providers are encouraged to provide pro bono services to indigent women. (Section 17)
- Sexual and reproductive health programs shall be accessible for persons with disabilities. (Section 18)
Implementation and Oversight
- The DOH shall be the lead agency for implementation, with specific duties outlined. (Section 19)
- A public awareness campaign on reproductive health and rights shall be initiated. (Section 20)
- The DOH shall submit an annual report to the President and Congress. (Section 21)
- A Congressional Oversight Committee shall monitor and review the implementation. (Section 22)
Prohibited Acts and Penalties
- Specific acts related to withholding information, refusing services, coercion, and collusion are prohibited. (Section 23)
- Penalties include imprisonment, fines, suspension or removal from office, and revocation of licenses. (Section 24)
Funding and Other Provisions
- Appropriations from the General Appropriations Act and other sources shall be allocated. (Section 25)
- Implementing rules and regulations shall be promulgated within 60 days. (Section 26)
- The Act shall be liberally construed to promote reproductive health and rights. (Section 27)
- Separability and repealing clauses are included. (Sections 28-29)
- The Act shall take effect 15 days after publication. (Section 30)
