The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill that repeals the 64-year-old widwifery law.
The lower chamber led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez passed House Bill 10079 or the Philippine Midwifery Act that proposes to strengthen the regulatory and professional practice of midwifery. Once enacted, it will repeal Republic Acts 2644 or the “Philippine Midwifery Law,” and 7392 or the “Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992.”
Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr, principal author of the bill, thanked the House leadership for supporting the measure.
“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,” Pleyto told his colleagues in plenary session.
Pleyto added the local midwifery industry also needs to “be at par with international standards so as to become globally competitive in the midwifery practice,” the congressman of the sixth district of Bulacan explained further.
Once enacted, the bill will repeal two old laws – Philippine Midwifery Law (Republic Act 2664) enacted in June 1960, which took effect 64 years ago; and Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992 (Republic Act 7392), which is already 32 years old.
“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,” Pleyto said. His co-authors include Reps. Migs Nograles (PBA), PM Vargas (Quezon City), Luis Campos (Makati City) and Ron Salo (Kabayan), among others.
“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,” Pleyto stressed.
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.
HB 10079 provides for a “Board of Midwifery” which will be composed of four (4) members, and shall be under the “direct supervision” of the Philippine Regulatory Commission that regulates almost all professions, especially the medical health industry, in the country.
Under the bill, 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.”
The bill provides 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.