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Introduced by Councilor JULIENNE ALYSON RAE V. MEDALLA and JESUS MANUEL C. SUNTAY

Co-Introduced by Councilors Anthony Peter D. Crisologo, Ricardo T. Belmonte, Jr., Dorothy A. Delarmente, Victor V. Ferrer, Jr., Alexis R. Herrera, Precious Hipolito Castelo, Voltaire Godofredo L Liban III. Roderick M. Paulate, Ranulfo Z. Ludovica, Estrella C. Valmocina. Allan Benedict S. Reyes, Gian Carlo G. Sotto, Franz S. Pumareh, Eufemio C. Lagumbay, Jose Mario Don S. De Leon, Jaime F. Borres, Marvin C. Rillo, Raquel S. Mala gen, Jessica Castelo Daza, Bayani V. Hipol, Jose A. Visaya, Godofredo T. Liban II, Andres Jose G. Yllana, Allan Butch T. Francisco, Karl Edgar Castelo, Candy A. Medina, Diorella Maria G, Sotto, Marivic Co-Pilar, Rogelio "Roger" P. Juan, Melencio "Bobby" T. Castelo, Jr., Donato C. Matias and Ricardo B. Corpuz.

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WHEREAS, one of the goals under the Quezon City Socio-Economic Development Plan (2011-2015) is to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health;

WHEREAS, records, from the Quezon City Health Department show that the number of maternal deaths in the city has been increasing since 2008;

WHEREAS, infant mortality rate in the city is one of the highest in the country;

WHEREAS, in the Philippines, 14 to 15 mothers die every day due to the pregnancy-related complications; ten percent (10%) of whom are teenagers;

WHEREAS, in the latest Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS 4) survey of 2013, data showed that the percentage of girls 15-19 years who were either pregnant for the first time or were already mothers has climbed to 13.6 percent;

WHEREAS, the study likewise showed that 23% of the youth engage in premarital sex, and from these, 78% reported that their first sexual encounter was unprotected;

WHEREAS, NSO data also revealed that the number of teenage mothers who gave birth to succeeding babies during their teenage years likewise increased in the last 10 years;

WHEREAS, globally, stillbirths and death are 50% more likely for babies born to mothers below 20 years of age;

WHEREAS, children born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, and cognitive and social stimulation, resulting in underdeveloped intellect and lower academic achievement;

WHEREAS, this measure, seeks to provide pregnant women especially teenage mothers with information on proper maternal and infant health care thereby reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF QUEZON CITY IN REGULAR SESSION ASSEMBLED:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 2. DEFINITION - For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean:

(a)

"Beneficiary" means the qualified beneficiaries under Section 3.

 

(b)

"City Health Officer" shall refer to the health care professional assigned to the Maternal and Infant Health Program under the City Health Department.

 

(c)

"Infant" refers to the child in the early period of life-birth to 1 year.

 

(d)

"Low income" means, with respect to an individual or family with an income determined to be below the official income poverty line defined by the Department of Budget and Management.

 

(e)

"Maternal" refers to the characteristics of a female parent capable of getting pregnant.

 

(f)

"Pre-natal" refers to what takes place before birth of a child.

 

(g)

"Post-natal" refers to what takes place after birth of a child."

SECTION 2. A new Section 3 and a new headnote "Qualified Beneficiaries" are hereby added to Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002, which shall read as follows:

"SECTION 3. Qualified Beneficiaries - The following shall be the beneficiaries of the "Maternal and Infant Health Home Visiting Program."

(a)

A pregnant woman falling under the low income bracket;

 

(b)

A mother under the low income bracket with an infant up to the age of one (1) year; and

 

(c)

A household falling under the low income bracket with an infant up to the age of one (1) year."

Section 3. Section 3 of Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002 shall now be renumbered as Section 4 and is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 4. PRESCRIBED ACT - The City Health Department shall require barangay health centers to designate an appropriate health professional or qualified non-professional who shall deliver maternal and child health services, acting under the supervision of a City Health Officer.

The maternal and infant health services provided in the home to beneficiaries shall include the following:

(a)

Instruction and counseling regarding, future health care for the woman and her child;

 

(b)

Counseling and education concerning all aspects of prenatal and postnatal care, childbirth and motherhood, mother and infant nutrition and breastfeeding;

 

(c)

General family counseling, including child and family development and responsible parenthood;

 

(d)

Counseling on reproductive and sexual health education and

 

(e)

Medical care or referral to the City Health Department or government health institutions for further maternal and infant health care."

SECTION 4. A new Section 5 and a new headnote "Prohibition on Abortion" are hereby added to Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002, which shall read, as follows:

"SECTION 5. PROHIBITION ON ABORTION - any maternal and infant health service which shall be made available under this Ordinance shall not advocate, promote, or encourage abortion."

SECTION 5. A new Section 6 and a new headnote "Funding for Seminars, Training and Materials" are hereby added to Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002, which shall read as follows:

"SECTION 6. FUNDING FOR SEMINARS, TRAINING AND MATERIALS - An amount shall be earmarked annually from the general budget of the city for the conduct of trainings and seminars of health personnel and the production of maternal and infant health related materials to be disseminated to the beneficiaries."

SECTION 6. A new Section 7 and a new headnote "Implementing Rules and Regulations" are hereby' added to Ordinance No. SP-1145, S-2002, which shall read as follows:

"SECTION 7. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) - The City Health Department  shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Ordinance."

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If any part or section hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Ordinance not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTIONS. REPEALING CLAUSE - All ordinances, resolutions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other administrative issuances, or the provisions thereof, which are contrary to or inconsistent with this ordinances are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVTY - This ordinance shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

ENACTED: August 18, 2014.


ATTESTED:

(Sgd.) ATTY. JOHN THOMAS S. ALFEROS III
               City Gov't Asst. Dept. Head III


CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this Ordinance was APPROVED by the City Council on Second Reading on August 18, 2014 and we PASSED on Third/Final Reading on August 26, 2014.