A TV documentary aired on GMA-7's Reporters' Notebook shows the sad plight of mothers who sometimes have to sacrifice their life to give birth; and children who die at birth because of the absence of skilled birth attendants.
MDG 4 aims to reduce the incidence of child mortality, while MDG 5 aims to improve maternal health.

But in Sitio Tanza, Antipolo City, women continue to rely on 'hilot' to give birth because of poverty. In the country, 60% of births are done at home. Often, these are in conditions where there are no medical equipment and medicines. 85% of maternal deaths happen due to hemorrhage while giving birth. In a country of 42,000 barangays, only 16,000 have midwives.