Guidelines on RH Conscientious Objectors

Establish standards and protocols for registering conscientious objectors and exempt health facilities.
Ensure the provision of the full range of reproductive health services is not hindered.

Applies to the entire Philippine health sector:
- Department of Health and its regional and attached agencies.
- Civil society organizations.
- Local government units.
- All health care facilities and providers, public or private.

Affidavit: Written sworn statement administered by a notary public.
Conscientious Objector: Skilled health professional refusing RH services due to ethical or religious convictions.
Emergency: Condition with immediate danger requiring urgent medical attention.
Exempt Health Facilities: Private non-maternity specialty hospitals or religious group-operated facilities exempted from full FP service provision.
Family Planning (FP): Program enabling responsible decision-making on number and spacing of children, providing information and access to modern non-abortifacient methods.
Public Health Care Service Provider: Includes licensed public health institutions and professionals, trained health workers, and accredited barangay health workers.
Serious Case: Patient condition that may cause loss of life or permanent disability if untreated.
Service Delivery Network (SDN): Integrated network of health facilities/providers offering the core range of RH services.

Health professionals may claim conscientious objector status based on religion or ethics.
Private non-maternity specialty hospitals and religious health facilities may be exempt but may also opt to provide full family planning methods.
Both conscientious objectors and exempt facilities may be part of the SDN if the SDN provides full RH services.
Only licensed, practicing health professionals may register as conscientious objectors—entities like LGUs or corporations cannot.
Registration is required at every Provincial or City Health Office (PHO/CHO) where the professional practices.
Non-registered professionals cannot refuse to provide RH care in jurisdictions where they are not registered as conscientious objectors.
Public officers cannot lawfully hinder RH programs; refusal to support requires designation of a responsible implementing officer.
PHOs and CHOs are responsible for registering and mapping conscientious objectors and exempt facilities.

Conscientious objectors are exempt from providing RH services and referrals unless cases involve emergencies or serious conditions.
Exempt from 48-hour pro bono service requirement for PhilHealth accreditation.
Registration process involves submitting an affidavit specifying refused FP methods and reasons.
Must post clear notices listing refused RH services at practice premises.
Required to refer emergency/serious cases to capable facilities.
Obliged to notify health offices within 30 days upon changes in status, service refusal scope, or cessation of objection.
Exempt health facilities must register and submit proof of ownership/management, affidavit of refused FP methods, and post notices similarly.
Facilities must notify any change in ownership or management within 30 days.

DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau: Provides technical assistance, conducts research, monitors SDNs, and reports to RH Law National Implementation Team.
DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau: Licenses health facilities, ensuring compliance with RH service provisions or recognition as exempt.
DOH Knowledge Management and IT Service: Maintains a public database of conscientious objectors and exempt facilities.
DOH Health Human Resources Development Bureau: Deploys healthcare providers to SDNs that consist entirely of conscientious objectors upon local health officer’s request.
DOH Regional Offices: Map exempt facilities and conscientious objectors, maintain regional databases, ensure RH service provision compliance, and monitor SDN functionality.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth): Accredits conscientious objectors and exempt facilities; requires certification of registration; exempts objectors from 48-hour pro bono service.
Provincial/City Health Offices: Register objectors and exempt facilities, maintain local databases, provide SDN members lists.
City/Municipal Health Offices: Inventory health facilities and professionals, indicating exemptions and objections.

Prior orders and regulations inconsistent with these guidelines are repealed or modified.
Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest of the order which remains effective.

The guidelines take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or nationally circulated newspaper.