House OKs bill requiring couples to get breastfeeding info before marriage

The House of Representatives has approved a bill requiring couples to receive “comprehensive instructions" on breastfeeding and infant nutrition first before marriage. House Bill 3088 or the “Family Support for Breastfeeding Act" — authored by 14 lawmakers including House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and House Minority Floor Leader Edcel Lagman — was approved Wednesday night. Under the proposed legislation, local civil registrars are prohibited from issuing marriage licenses to couples unless they present a certificate of compliance proving that they “had duly received comprehensive instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition." The certificate of compliance shall come from the Office of Family Planning of each city and municipality, which is also mandated to give information on “proper topics relative to breastfeeding and infant nutrition" under the proposed legislation. HB 3088 also instructs the Department of Health, the Department and Social Welfare and Development and the Population Commission to furnish each local Family Planning Office with proper information and resources on current studies and research on breastfeeding and infant nutrition. After the measure’s approval at the House, the Senate can either pass its own version of the bill or adopt it. After this, the bicameral conference committee will be convened to reconcile the respective versions of the House and Senate. Once the bicameral committee approves the bill, it will be returned to the House and Senate for ratification. It will then be submitted to Malacañang for the signature of the President. - Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News