Senator JV Ejercito has filed Senate Bill 2044, or the Philippine Midwifery Empowerment Act, seeking to regularize midwives and improve compensation.

Ejercito said many midwives have long worked under job-order arrangements without security of tenure.

“In many remote areas, they are often the only health provider,” he said.

The bill proposes plantilla positions and sets entry-level pay at Salary Grade 13.

“Let us end their status as job-order or casual employees, especially since their service is continuous and vital,” he said.

It also introduces a ladderized education system and equivalency provisions for current practitioners.

Ejercito said strengthening the midwifery workforce is key to improving maternal and child health.