Bill seeking free period products in schools, health centers filed in House
A bill seeking to provide free period products in schools and health centers has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Akbayan party-list filed House Bill No. 5179, or the Free Period Products Bill, aiming to make menstrual health and hygiene accessible to women and girls.
Rep. Dadah Ismula noted that the bill is a pro-poor and pro-women measure.
"The cost of pads and tampons has been a silent barrier, forcing girls to miss classes and women to skip work. Ang pagbibigay natin ng libreng menstrual products ay hindi lang usapin ng kalusugan, kundi katarungan din," she said in a statement.
Under the proposed measure, the Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Education, state universities and colleges, and local government units, must provide access to free period products, such as menstrual pads, tampons, cups, and other hygiene products. This also aims to provide proper health education and give dignified and safe conditions for women.
It shall be implemented in public health care providers like barangay health centers, rural health units, and other health facilities operated by the government, and public schools from elementary to tertiary. It will also cover institutions under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Alternative Learning System, and other government-supported educational and training institutions.
"Access to period products is guaranteed to all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics," it added.
The DOH is also responsible for procuring and distributing products based on factors like the number of students and the number of menstruating women.
"Public schools, learning and skills training institutions, and health care providers shall maintain emergency stockpiles of period products to ensure availability during natural disasters, armed conflict, or other emergencies," the bill read.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Ismula, Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dinagat Islands lone district Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
In 2023, Sen. JV Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 2475, which seeks to have the DepEd provide free menstrual essentials to female students in public primary and secondary schools nationwide. It is still pending in the committee as of this writing.
