Reptolic Of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEE`ITII CONGRES S
First Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.f784
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI
EXPLANATORY NOTE
CancerisasignificantglobalhealthconcemandthePhilippinesisnoexception.Toaddress
thisproblem,thegovemmentshouldimplementacancerscreening,earlydetection,andprevention
program in all government health facilities for the Filipino population.
The program should aim to provide accessible and affordable cancer screening services to
Filipinos, particularly those at high risk for developing the disease. This includes those with a
historyofcancerintheirfamily,thosewhosmokeorusetobaccoproducts,andthosewithahistory
of exposure to cancer-causing agents.
Detection at an early stage is crucial in the fight against cancer. In addition to education and
awareTess  campaigns,  the  program   should  encourage  Filipinos  to  undergo  regular  cancer
screenings   by    promoting   regular   cancer   screenings.    This    can   include   public   service
announcements,   community   outreach  programs,   and   health   facility-distributed   educational
materials.
Acancerscreening,earlydetection,andpreventionprogramforFilipinosinallgovemment
health  facilities  is  crucial  for  reducing  the  cancer  burden  in  the  Philippines.  By  providing
accessibleandaffordablecancercareservices,promotinghealthylifestylechoices,andinvesting
in  healthcare  professionals,  the  goverrment  can  assist  Filipinos  in  the  early  detection  and
preventionofcancer,therebyenhancingtheirchancesofsurvivalandqualityoflife.
With the foregoing in mind, it is requested that this bill be passed.
•``,.-````,``...
Representative
5th District, Leyte


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
FfrstReguLarsc#84,
HOUSE BILL No.
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI
CANCER SCREENING, EARLY DETECTION, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR
FILIPINOS IN ALL GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
BeitenactedbytheSenateandtheHouseOfRepresentativesOfthePhiljppinesinCongress
assembled..
SECTION 1. 7}.f/e.  - Ths Act shall be known as the "Cancer Screening, Early Detection, and
Prevention Program Act. "
SEC. 2. Decfa#tr#.o# a/Po/i.ey. -It is declared the policy of the State to pliotect and promote the
richt to health of the people. Likewise, it is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive  approach  to  health  development  which  shall  endeavor to  make  health  care,
medicines, and other social services avallatle to all people at affordal]le cost.
To this end, the  State shall eTdeavor to prevent and control diseases among high-risk groups
through free prevention, screemng, and early cancer detection.
SEC. 3. Ccr#cer Preve##.o# Program  - The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with
the local government units through its local health officers, shall cany out and reinforce cancer
prevention programs already in place, the puiposes of which are as follows:
a)  To educate individuals on the significance of a healthy diet and lifestyle as a means of
preventing all types of cancer;
b)  To inform the public atout the risk factors for all types of cancer;
c)  To educate on the common signs and symptoms of cancer, with a focus on the most
prevalent types of cancer in the Philippines;
d)   To educate  on  proper sclfngxamination techniques,  such  as  breast sclfixamination
(BSE) for breast cancer:
c)Toeducatconthenecdforpcriodicphysicalexaminations,includingthefrequoncyand
type of each test appropriate for each age group and the type of cancer for which the
physicalexaninationisintcnded(e.g.,clinicalbreastcxamforbreastcancer,digitalrectal
exam for prostate cancer, among others);
I)   To  raise  awareness  about  the  availability  of immunization  as  a cancer prevention
measure; and
g)   To  educate  individuals  on the  availability  and  suitability of early cancer detection
procedures.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SEC.  4. Free f7!c"c7# P¢pj.//oma  yz.raf  /Z7PJ'J  yacc7.#afr.o#.  - Human  Papilloma Virus  (HPV)
vaccination, as part of the prevention of cervical cancer, shall bc provided free of charge dy all
govemmcnt health facilities in the Philippines to qualificd, eligible bcncficiarics.
SEC.  5  Free  ^Sdree#J."g  a#c7  I?ar/~v  /)c/€cf7.o#  J'rogrt7rm.   -  All  govcmmcnt  health  facilities
nationwide  shall  provide  free cancer screening and  carly detection  programs  for all  qualified,
cligiblcbencflciarics;theDOHshalldeterminethcfroquencyandagcsatwhichscreeningshould
bc performed. The following screening and early detection procedures shall ttc made accessible
and available for all qualified, eligible bencficiarics:
a) Manmogran
b) Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
c) Pap SmeaM'ap Test
d) Fecal Occult Blood Testing Colonoscopy
e) Prostate Ultrasound
SEC. 6. g#¢/7/3ecJ EJ7.g7.a/e Be#e¢c!.arz.es.  - The Free HPV Vaccination and Free Screening and
EarlyDetectionProgramisrestrictedtorecipientswhomeetthefollowingcriteria:
a)Filipinosbetweentheagesof10and50whoseparentshavebeendingnosedwithcancer
byaqualifiedhealthprofessional,orwhoseparentshavediedwithcancerastheunderlying
cause of death as declared by a qualified health professional and indicated on the de€th
certificate.
b)IdentifiedasheadofthefamilyandthebreadwinnerthroughaSocialCaseStudymade
byasocialworkerfromtheDepartmentofSocialWelfareandDevelopment(DSWD)or
through their BIR Income Tax Return;
c)  Has a gross annual income of not greater than Php 100,000.00 as reflected in their BIR
Income Tax Return; and
d)  Belongs to the high-risk group identified by the DOH.
SEC. 7. /"p/cme#ft.#g R!c/cs a#c7 JIG.gtt/aft.ous. - In coordination with the DSWD, the DOH shall
promulgate and issue the necessary guidelines for implementing this Act within sixty (60) days
after its effcctivity.
SEC.8.4pro/JrJ.¢#.o#,g.-TheSccretaryoftheDOHshanimmediatelyincludcintheDcpartmcnt's
program the implcmentation of this Act, the funding of which shall  bc included in the annual
Gcncral Appropriations Act.
SEC.9.Seprr¢6j.JjtyC7a%se.-Ifaprovisionorpafthereofisdeclaredinvalidforanyreason,other
provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full folice and effect.
SEC.10.Rapca/i.#gC/cr2zse.-Alllaws,decrees,executiveoliders,rules,andregulationscontrary
toorinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisActareherebyrepealedormodifiedaccordingly.
SEC.11.Ejorecfr.vi.ty.-ThisActshalltckeeffectfifteen(15)daysaferpublicationinatleasttwo
(2) national newspapers of general circulation.
APPROVED,