This New Bill Wants To Make Menstrual Products Free—Because Periods Are Expensive Enough

Filipino women spend around P150 to P250 a month on sanitary pads during their menstrual period. That adds up to roughly P3,000(!) a year—and this doesn't even include the cost of medicines or lost income due to period-related sick leaves.

According to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Filipino women, on average, get their first period at age 13. With menopause typically beginning around age 45, that's over three decades of spending on menstrual products.

Recognizing this pressing women's issue, Akbayan partylist filed House Bill No. 5179 or the "Free Period Products Act" by Rep. Dada Kira Ismula.

The proposed measure seeks to make menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups accessible and free of charge in public schools and health centers across the country.

The bill emphasizes that menstrual health is a right, and like any other right, it must be protected. More importantly, women and girls should feel empowered, not ashamed about it.

"The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall therefore protect and promote their empowerment. The State also recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being," the bill states.

"In the pursuit of this policy, the State shall ensure that girls and women have access to proper menstrual health and hygiene. This includes providing safe, affordable, and accessible menstrual products and education," it added.

ICYDK, under the 1987 Constitution, when Congress passes a bill, it must go through three readings on three separate days before being voted upon. Usually, during the first reading, the bill is referred to the appropriate committee, which then conducts studies and hearings. The second reading is where debates, interpellations, and amendments take place before the bill proceeds to the third and final reading for approval.

Once approved by the House of Representatives, it is then transmitted to the Senate, where it will again undergo three readings on three separate days. If both chambers concur by a simple majority vote, the bill is then transmitted to the President for signing into law.

Unfortunately, women pay higher prices (literally and figuratively). While having a period is normal, talking about it often doesn’t feel empowering. Many women still face stigma and discrimination surrounding menstruation.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), citing a recent study by Fos Feminista, 96% of menstruating women in the Philippines experience at least one form of menstrual discrimination, such as the lack of hygienic facilities, limited access to clean water, or the inability to afford menstrual products due to poverty. This struggle, known as period poverty, remains widespread in the Philippines.

The World Bank also reports that 8% of young girls miss school because of menstruation. This problem is further compounded by the so-called "pink tax," where women are typically charged higher prices than men for comparable products, including menstrual and sanitary essentials.

The bottom line is: menstrual health is not just a women's issue but a societal one, and its recognition should not come with a price tag. By ensuring access to free and safe menstrual products, we not only uphold the dignity of women and girls but also help break cycles of stigma and inequality.