MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading three vital measures, including a bill making it mandatory for applicants of marriage license to undergo seminar on breastfeeding and infant nutrition, before Congress goes on a long summer break last Wednesday. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the House is right on track in its bid to dispose of this year at least 20 other measures that are included in the list of legislative priorities agreed upon by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Before closing for the summer break, congressmen voted 162 for and zero against in approving House Bill (HB) 4276 rationalizing night work prohibition on women workers and HB 4067 promoting financial viability and fiscal discipline in government –owned or -controlled corporations.
On Tuesday, the chamber approved HB 4146, a controversial measure proposing the cancellation of the August elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and allowing President Aquino to appoint officials who win run the regional government.
HB 3088 or the bill promoting and supporting breastfeeding is not included in the list of priority measures but was approved based on the popular support given by lawmakers on the measure.
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, one of the principal authors of the bill, said the proposal is vital in making the public, especially mothers, realize the importance of breastfeeding.
Other authors of the measure include the: Representatives Edcel Lagman (Lakas-Kampi, Albay); Carlos Padilla (NP, Nueva Vizcaya); Leopoldo Bataoil (Lakas-Kampi, Pangasinan); Mel Senen Sarmiento (LP, Samar), and Belmonte.
Under the bill, the Office of Family Planning of local government units (LGUs) are directed to conduct information campaign supportive of breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
No marriage license will be issued by the local civil registrar unless the couple seeking marriage undergoes seminar for the said topics.
The private sector, particularly medical and health personnel, may be tapped to join the breastfeeding campaign but will not be allowed to promote or endorse any commercial product.
HB 4276 lifts the total ban imposed by the Labor Code against assigning women workers in night duties with or without compensation.
Under the bill, women working in the agricultural sector may only work within nine consecutive hours at night.
Authors of the measure include Representatives Rufus Rodriguez (PMP, Cagayan de Oro City); Ben Evardone (LP, Eastern Samar); Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP, Aurora); and Marcelino Teodoro (LP, Marikina City).
Ben Rosario, Manila Bulletin
