.. 
Ni ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
SA botong 186 pumabor na kongresista, ganap nang nang inaprubahan ng Kamara sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang House Bill 10079 na nagsusulong buhayin at palakasin ang midwifery profession sa bansa.
“We must pay tribute to and honor our midwives, the unsung heroes in providing compassionate care and expertise to mothers and newborns. They are the backbone of maternal and child care. We laud their hard work and dedication. We need to help them equip their skills and gain more knowledge in their profession,” pahayag ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Ayon kay Romualdez, layon ng HB 10079 palitan ang dalawang lumang batas na binalangkas anim na dekada na ang lumipas.
Sa ilalim ng HB 10079, lilikha ng “Board of Midwifery” sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC).
Ang five-man “collegial body” ay pamumunuan ng isang chairperson may six-year term of office subalit walang reappointment. Four-year term naman ang nakasaad para sa dalawang miyembro ng board na wala ring reappointment habang ang tatlong taon naman ang ilalagi ng dalawang iba pa – “subject to reappointment but for only one term.”
“Any vacancy in the Board within the term of a member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.”
“The Midwifery Board which shall supervise and regulate the practice of the profession; is authorized to issue, suspend or revoke certificates of registration for the industry; and allowed to conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against midwives for malpractice and others.”
Kalakip din ng inaprubahang panukala ang kapangyarihan ng Midwifery Board na mag-isyu ng subpoena ad testificandum (oral testimonies) at duces tecum (documentary evidence); at maaari ring magpataw ng contempt sa “persons obstructing, impeding, or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings upon application with the court.”
Ang sinumang lalabag sa takdang probisyon ay papatawan ng multang P50,000 hanggang P100,000 o pagkabilanggo ng dalawa hanggang pitong taon – depende sa pasya ng husgado.
