A measure mandating free access to menstrual products in public schools and government health facilities has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Akbayan party-list lawmakers introduced House Bill No. 5179, or the Free Period Products Bill, which aims to make menstrual health and hygiene accessible to women, girls, and other menstruating individuals.
Representative Dadah Ismula described the bill as both a pro-women and pro-poor initiative.
“The cost of pads and tampons has been a silent barrier, forcing girls to miss classes and women to skip work. Ang pagbibigay natin ng libreng menstrual products ay hindi lang usapin ng kalusugan, kundi katarungan din,” she said.
Under the proposal, the Department of Health (DOH) would work with the Department of Education, state universities and colleges, and local government units to ensure free access to menstrual pads, tampons, cups, and other hygiene products. The measure also includes the provision of health education and aims to uphold dignity and safety for all menstruating individuals.
Public schools from elementary to tertiary levels, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions, Alternative Learning System centers, and all public health facilities such as barangay and rural health centers would be covered.
The bill ensures that “access to period products is guaranteed to all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics.”
The DOH would be tasked with procuring and distributing supplies based on the number of students and menstruating women in each locality. It would also require public institutions to keep emergency stockpiles of menstrual products for use during disasters or emergencies.
House Bill 5179 was authored by Representatives Ismula, Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Kaka Bag-ao.
A similar measure, Senate Bill No. 2475 filed by Senator JV Ejercito in 2023, also seeks to provide free menstrual essentials in public schools nationwide and remains pending at the committee level.
