CEDAW/C/PHI/4 English Page 59 (b) Republic Act 7600, or the Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, provides an environment where the basic physical, emotional and psychological needs of mothers and infants immediately after birth are fulfilled through the practice of rooming-in and breastfeeding. 242. Pending bills include the following: (a) Increasing maternity benefits for women employees in the public and private sectors to 120 days with full payment; (b) Appointment of a Barangay Nutrition Scholar assigned to nutritionally depressed areas, with an annual travel allowance of P1,200; (c) Appropriating P40 million for the Nutrition Improvement Fund; (d) Allocating 20 per cent of the Local Government Development Fund for the Food and Nutrition Program; (e) Creating a special fund for people with AIDS; (f) Establishing family planning centres in all municipalities, including urban areas, and appropriating funds therefor; (g) Establishing a national nutrition programme. Programme/projects developments 243. With the assistance of the Australian Government, a number of middle managers from the Department of Health were given a scholarship grant on women's health, which covered multidisciplinary research on women and awareness-raising on women's health issues. Also designed for programme implementors, the Health and Humanpower Development and Training Services integrated women's health care into its training curriculum. 244. At the beneficiary level, a comprehensive package of preventive, promotive and curative care to ensure safe pregnancy and delivery is available through the Maternal Health Care Program. The programme package includes prenatal care, provision of routine services to normal pregnancies, immunization and care during and after childbirth. As of 1993, the programme was able to extend prenatal services to 80 per cent of pregnant women and 68 per cent for tetanus immunization. The adoption of the breastfeeding programme, which promotes exclusive breastfeeding from 0-6 months up to two years, is also being enhanced. To strengthen this programme, mother-friendly hospitals were established. According to health experts, early breastfeeding can prevent postpartum haemorrhage, help space pregnancies and prevent breast cancer. 245. "Sangkap Pinoy" was one of the most publicized programmes of the Department. Under this initiative, women and children are given food and micronutrient supplementation such as iron, vitamin A and iodine. As of 1994, 85.72 per cent of the target clientele have been served. /...