necessary assistance for the effective implementation of this provision including the possible provision of additional honoraria for BHWs. Section 17. Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women. – Private and nongovernment reproductive healthcare service providers including, but not limited to, gynecologists and obstetricians, are encouraged to provide at least forty-eight (48) hours annually of reproductive health services, ranging from providing information and education to rendering medical services, free of charge to indigent and low-income patients as identified through the NHTS-PR and other government measures of identifying marginalization, especially to pregnant adolescents. The forty-eight (48) hours annual pro bono services shall be included as a prerequisite in the accreditation under the PhilHealth. Section 18. Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). – The cities and municipalities shall endeavor that barriers to reproductive health services for PWDs are obliterated by the following: (a) Providing physical access, and resolving transportation and proximity issues to clinics, hospitals and places where public health education is provided, contraceptives are sold or distributed or other places where reproductive health services are provided; (b) Adapting examination tables and other laboratory procedures to the needs and conditions of PWDs; (c) Increasing access to information and communication materials on sexual and reproductive health in braille, large print, simple language, sign language and pictures; (d) Providing continuing education and inclusion of rights of PWDs among health care providers; and (e) Undertaking activities to raise awareness and address misconceptions among the general public on the stigma and their lack of knowledge on the sexual and reproductive health needs and rights of PWDs. Section 19. Duties and Responsibilities. – (a) Pursuant to the herein declared policy, the DOH shall serve as the lead agency for the implementation of this Act and shall integrate in their regular operations the following functions: (1) Fully and efficiently implement the reproductive health care program; (2) Ensure people’s access to medically safe, non-abortifacient, legal, quality and affordable reproductive health goods and services; and (3) Perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act. (b) The DOH, in coordination with the PHIC, as may be applicable, shall: (1) Strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe, high quality, accessible and affordable reproductive health services and commodities with the concurrent strengthening and enforcement of regulatory mandates and mechanisms;