Republic of the Philippines
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand twelve.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10354
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as "The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act of 2012″.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes and guarantees the human rights of all
persons including their right to equality and nondiscrimination of these rights, the right to sustainable
human development, the right to health which includes reproductive health, the right to education
and information, and the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their
religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood.
Pursuant to the declaration of State policies under Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, it is the duty of the State to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous
social institution and equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of women especially mothers in particular and
of the people in general and instill health consciousness among them. The family is the natural and
fundamental unit of society. The State shall likewise protect and advance the right of families in
particular and the people in general to a balanced and healthful environment in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature. The State also recognizes and guarantees the promotion and equal
protection of the welfare and rights of children, the youth, and the unborn.
Moreover, the State recognizes and guarantees the promotion of gender equality, gender equity,
women empowerment and dignity as a health and human rights concern and as a social
responsibility. The advancement and protection of women’s human rights shall be central to the
efforts of the State to address reproductive health care.
The State recognizes marriage as an inviolable social institution and the foundation of the family
which in turn is the foundation of the nation. Pursuant thereto, the State shall defend:
(a) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions and
the demands of responsible parenthood;
(b) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions
prejudicial to their development;