- Stresses need to improve maternal and child healthcare
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go has filed Senate Bill No. 675 at the start of the 20th Congress, seeking to strengthen midwifery practice in the country through updated policies, improved regulatory frameworks, and enhanced training and support systems for practitioners.
As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Go emphasized the vital role of midwives in safeguarding maternal and child health, saying, “Midwives, through their specialized skills and compassionate care, play an irreplaceable role in delivering preventive and promotive health services, thereby fostering healthier generations and stronger communities.”
He noted that while Republic Act No. 7392, or the Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992, was a significant step forward in its time, it may no longer reflect the evolving demands of the profession. “With the profession continuously evolving, there is a clear need for updated policies and regulatory frameworks that align with modern standards,” Go stressed.
The proposed “New Philippine Midwifery Act” seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality by enhancing the quality, accessibility, and reach of midwifery care nationwide. It aims to elevate the profession’s status while ensuring that midwives are empowered to deliver services with “excellence, integrity, and compassion.”
According to Go, the measure is rooted in a fundamental principle: “No woman should suffer preventable harm during childbirth, and every child deserves a healthy start in life.” He explained that the bill focuses on strengthening education, training, and support systems to develop a “highly skilled and responsive workforce capable of addressing the diverse healthcare needs of our communities.”
Under the measure, clear qualifications, standards, and ethical guidelines for the profession will be established, alongside an enhanced regulatory role for the Professional Regulatory Board of Midwifery under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to oversee practice, enforce licensure requirements, and maintain a national registry.
It also aims to strengthen midwifery education by updating curricula, setting minimum faculty qualifications, and upgrading facility standards in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH).
The bill also defines the scope of practice for midwives to include managing normal pregnancies, identifying complications for timely referral, providing newborn care, offering family planning services, and administering specific maternal and child health vaccines.
It further proposes plantilla positions for midwives in public health facilities with compensation no lower than Salary Grade 15, while ensuring that private facilities meet minimum wage and benefit standards.
Additionally, it calls for the establishment of a National Midwifery Office within the DOH to oversee workforce planning, policy development, and professional support for midwives across the country.
Go underscored that this legislative proposal reflects his strong commitment to maternal and child health. “This measure not only aims to elevate the status of the midwifery profession but also seeks to establish an enabling environment where midwives are empowered to carry out their duties with excellence, integrity, and compassion,” he said.
He concluded his explanatory note with a call for legislative action: “This legislative initiative is a testament to our unwavering dedication to maternal and child health, underscoring the pivotal role that midwives play in shaping a brighter and healthier future for all Filipinos. Given the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.”
If enacted, SBN 675 will repeal RA 7392 and replace it with a modernized legal framework designed to address current and future challenges in maternal and newborn healthcare, ensuring that midwives remain a cornerstone of community-based health services in the Philippines.
“Hindi lang ito batas para sa mga midwife, kundi para sa bawat nanay at sanggol na karapat-dapat mabigyan ng ligtas at maayos na panganganak. Kapag mas suportado at mas mahusay ang ating mga midwife, mas ligtas ang bawat buhay na ipinapanganak sa ating bansa,” concluded Go.
Go has also prioritized legislation supporting healthcare professionals. SBN 172, or the proposed New Medical Technology Law, seeks to modernize professional standards for medical technologists. SBN 406, or the Advanced Nursing Education Program bill, aims to elevate nursing practice by providing opportunities for graduate-level training.
In recognition of the vital role of grassroots health workers, SBN 412, or the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers, proposes to secure tenure, benefits, and compensation for barangay health workers nationwide.
