NEW LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES

R.A. 10929 or the Free Internet Access In Public Places Act Of 2017
An act that provides free internet access in public areas nationwide across the country. Signed
August 2, 2017, the measure provides the public free access to internet in “national and local
government offices; public basic education institutions; state universities and colleges, and
technology institutions; public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units; public parks,
plazas, libraries and barangay reading centers; public airports and seaports; and public
transport terminals.”
R.A. 10932 or the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law
An amendment to Batasan Pambansa 702, the law prohibits demand of deposits or advance
payments for the confinement or treatment of patients in hospitals and medical cases.

Signed on August 3, 2017, the law allows the attending physician to transfer the patient to a
facility providing appropriate care in case of “inadequacy” of medical capabilities of the hospital
or medical clinic. It also mandates local government units where the hospital or medical clinic is
located to allow the free use of its emergency vehicle if there is no ambulance available for use
for the emergency transfer of the patient.

It provides stiffer penalties to any hospitals and medical clinics that will refuse to administer
appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency serious cases. Violators will
face imprisonment of six months to not more than two years and will also face a fine of not less
than P100,000 but not more than P300,000.
R.A. 10969 or the Free Irrigation Service Act of 2017
An act amending R.A. 3601, the law exempts all farmers from paying irrigation fees for
landholdings of eight hectares and below.

Signed on February 2, 2018, the measure also nulls all unpaid ISF and corresponding penalties,
as well as loans and past due accounts and corresponding interests and penalties of the
irrigator associations (IA) from the records of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
R.A. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act
The law amends the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. The amended law simplifies business
procedures on the national and local levels. The law requires government agencies to act on
applications within 3 days for simple transactions, 7 days for complex ones and 20 days for the
highly technical.

Signed on May 28, 2018, the measure also mandates the adoption of a unified application form
for local tax and building clearances and sanitary and zoning clearances, among others. It
requires automation of permit and licensing procedures to local government units.
R.A. 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law
A landmark legislation, the law provides Filipinos better access to mental health services down
to the barangay level, and integrates mental health programs in hospitals.

It also seeks to improve mental health facilities and to promote mental health education in
schools and workplaces.
Signed on June 20, 2018, the measure calls on the government health insurance provider
PhilHealth to cover not just hospitalization or confinement but also psychiatric consultations
and medicines. It also mandates the opening of units dedicated for patients with mental health
care needs to be attended to by health workers.

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R.A. 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act”
The law that institutionalizes a national feeding program for undernourished Filipino children. A
school-based feeding program shall be implemented for undernourished public school children
from kindergarten to Grade 6 students. Children under this program shall also receive one
fortified meal for a period of not less than 120 days in a year. Implementers of the law are the
Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Signed on June 20, 2018, the law also provides for a milk feeding program and the creation of
the National Nutrition Information System, which shall be utilized in monitoring the health and
nutrition of all Filipino children, especially those covered by the program.

Republic Act 11206 or the Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act
aims to institutionalize a career guidance and counseling program for students in all private and public
secondary schools “in order to provide them proper direction in pursuing subsequent tertiary education.

Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act No 11313

penalizes wolf whistling, catcalling, misogynistic and homophobic slurs, unwanted sexual advances, and
other forms of sexual harassment in public places, workplaces, and schools as well as in online spaces.
LGU ART 1 SEC 8