MANILA, Philippines — Camille Villar has pledged to be the voice of Filipino women in the Senate, vowing to push for laws that will protect and empower them.
A two-term representative of Las Piñas’ lone district, Villar has championed various measures aimed at improving healthcare and social services for Filipino women. She now seeks to continue this advocacy on a larger scale in the Senate.
“Women play a vital role in nation-building. I have a deep respect for women of all ages, backgrounds, and social status. Protecting their interests, ensuring their welfare, and empowering them is a crucial service I want to continue providing if elected to the Senate,” Villar said.
Among the key measures she has filed in the House of Representatives is House Bill No. 10697, or the Pregnant Women Welfare Act, which seeks to grant flexible work arrangements—including work-from-home options—to pregnant and postnatal mothers within a year of childbirth.
She also introduced House Bill No. 10695, or the Equal Maternity Protection Act, which extends maternity benefits to women in the informal sector. The measure proposes a one-time direct cash benefit for female informal workers upon delivery, as well as PhilHealth coverage for those who are not enrolled in the Social Security System (SSS).
To support prenatal care and reduce child mortality, Villar filed House Bill No. 10694, which mandates the distribution of maternity kits to low-income pregnant women. She also pushed for House Bill No. 5684, prohibiting hospitals, maternity clinics, or health institutions from refusing to admit or assist pregnant women in labor.
Villar’s legislative agenda also includes House Bill No. 5243, which grants free medical and hospitalization benefits to indigent women suffering from injuries or illnesses caused by violence. She has also called on Congress to investigate the increasing number of maternal deaths and enact policies to improve access to maternal healthcare services.
Her advocacy extends to breast cancer awareness and treatment, as she authored House Resolution No. 1023, urging the government to intensify early detection programs and promote wider access to preventive screenings. The resolution also calls for the creation of a special assistance fund dedicated to cancer patients, particularly indigent Filipinos.
“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of every Filipina. This will be one of my priority programs in the Senate if I am fortunate enough to be elected in the May 12 midterm elections,” Villar said.
She emphasized her role as a millennial leader pushing for innovative solutions to the challenges women face.
“I want to be the voice of Filipino women in the Senate. As a millennial leader, I aim to advocate for modern solutions to long-standing issues affecting women,” she added.
Source: https://www.inquirer.net/431677/camille-villar-vows-to-champion-womens-rights-in-senate/
