Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4607

Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill secks to establish a dengue virus testing and screening center in every
city and municipality and appropriate funds therefor.

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

In its Dengue Situation Update 650 released on July 14, 2022, the World
Health Organization stated that the Philippines reported 64,797 dengue cases and
274 deaths from January 1 to June 25, 2022, or a ninety percent increase compared
to the 34,074 cases and 112 deaths reported in the same period in 2021. Also, during
the 25" week of 2022, there were 4,103 cases of dengue and seven deaths, an eighty
percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2021, which were only
1,464. ‘The numbers are quite alarming, and the situation demands an immediate
response from the government.

‘As the fastest-spreading vector-borne disease in the world, the dengue virus
is spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae.
albopictu’) mosquito. It is caused by one of any of four related viruses: DENV 1, 2,
3, and 4. Thus, a person can be infected with the dengue virus as many as four times
in a lifetime.

While there is no specific medicine to treat dengue, the disease may be
managed better through early diagnosis and correct management. Early detection is
crucial to the recovery of patients. The rapid diagnostic test which is specifically used



during the early phase of infection is relevant to early case detection and diagnosis,
resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality.

‘The Department of Health has launched the National Dengue Prevention and
Control Program to upgrade existing facilities at the point of care and strengthen the
diagnosis and management capabilities of rural health units. Although it has already
provided the technical and procedural guidelines on the nationwide implementation
of rapid diagnostic test at the rural health units and other point of care, the giving of
the tests is not yet institutionalized. Many local government units, especially rural
communities still do not have dengue diagnostic test centers that will cater to the
needs of the sick residents and their families.

‘The establishment of dengue virus testing and screening centers in all cities
and municipalities will help in the carly diagnosis of dengue through clinical
examination, complemented with a simple and rapid diagnostic tool to be provided
for free to individuals suspected of suffering from the disease. Community-based
testing has been proven vital to the prevention and control of various diseases as it
will also help in the surveillance of cases through recording and reporting.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EDUARDO ROA RAMA JR.


Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
° 607

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama Jr.

ESTABLISHING A DENGUE TUS TESTING AND SCREENING
CENTER IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted ly the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Dengue Virus Testing and Screening Center. - "There shall
be established a dengue virus testing and screening center in every city and
municipality, hereinafter referred to as the dengue center.

‘The dengue center shall be established in an existing public hospital, city or
municipal health center to serve mainly as a laboratory for testing the presence of
the dengue virus in patients.

SEC. 2. Functions. - Each dengue center shall have the following functions:

(@) To provide free rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for the carly detection of
dengue;

(b) To disseminate information and create awareness on dengue and its
detection, control, and management options; and

(©) To promote, encourage, engage, and assist in scientific research on matters

related to dengue.


SEC. 3. Free Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). — Any person may avail of
free dengue RDT and screening services when he or she is determined to be a
suspected dengue case based on the clinical evaluation of a licensed physician. A suspected
dengue case is one who based on their history of illness and physical examination
exhibits signs and symptoms of the dengue virus infection and/or has recently
travelled to an area with the risk of dengue as determined by the Department of
Health (DOH).

The dengue RDT shall be administered by a qualified health care worker
including a medical technologist, nurse, midwife, barangay health worker, and other
health personnel who have undergone appropriate training on its use: Provided, That
the individual availing of the dengue RDT is a bona fide resident of the city or
municipality where the test is to be administered.

SEC. 4. Recording and Reporting. ~ The dengue center shall record all
positive cases as probable dengue cases, and negative cases as suspected dengue cases, and
shall report all cases to the DOH in accordance with its current reporting system.

SEC. 5. Government Assistance. — The DOH shall issue the necessary
instructions on the details and specifications of the dengue center to be established
including the equipment to be used, and the number and qualifications of the health
personnel to be hired.

‘The DOH shall also provide the necessary assistance and support to local

government units to fulfill the needs of the dengue center including the procurement


of dengue RDT kits and related supplies, organization of testing booths,
informational materials, and client flow.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine shall provide technical
assistance for the adequate and appropriate education and training of health
personnel in the dengue center, and proper collection, handling, transport, and
storage of specimens and kits, testing, and reporting of results. In case the local
government unit concerned lacks the needed health personnel, the DOH shall field
its own health personnel to the dengue center, to augment the existing complement
of personnel until the adequate number of health personnel are engaged by the local
government unit concerned.

SEC. 6. Health Personnel, — The local government unit (LGU) concerned
shall, in coordination with the DOH create the positions and determine the
qualifications of the health personnel needed to operate the dengue center.

‘The health personnel of the dengue center shall be the employees of the LGU
concerned except those health personnel fielded by the DOH who remain
employees of the DOH.

SEC. 7. Tax Exemption. — All donations, contributions or endowment that
may be made by any entity or person to the dengue center shall be exempt from all
taxes, charges and fees imposed by the government or any political subdivision ot
instrumentality thereof.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government


shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Health, issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the local
government units concerned and the Department of Health. Thereafter, such sum
as may be necessary for the continued operation of the dengue center shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The share of the local government units in the establishment of the dengue
center and the procurement of equipment shall be taken from their respective share
of the Internal Revenue Allotments.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,