Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._°879

Introduced by Representative Senior Deputy Speaker Doy C. Leachon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide a health program for the Mangyan indigenous
cultural communities and indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the Province of
Oriental Mindoro.

Section 15, Article IT of the Constitution provides that “The State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.” There are laws such as Republic Act (RA) No.
8371, also known as “The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997,” and RA
11223, otherwise known as the “Universal Health Care Act,” that guarantee the
right of ICCs/ IPs to basic services, including health services, recognize and
promote the rights of ICCs/IPs, and ensure equitable access to health care.

Mangyan refers to a group of tribal communities in the Island of Mindoro,
namely, the Iraya, Alangan, Batangan, Tadyawan, Buhid, Tao Buid, Hanunoo,
and Ratagnon. Studies have shown that the Mangyans are poor in health,
malnourished and susceptible to various diseases. These health problems are
attributable to the lack of available health care services for the Mangyans in the
province.

This bill aims to protect and promote the welfare of the Mangyan ICCs/IPs
as integral members of society. This bill will provide a health program
specifically designed for the Mangyan ICCs/IPs in Oriental Mindoro. Through
this program, special, efficient, and culture-sensitive health care services will be
effectively delivered to the Mangyans.


Under the program, the Mangyan Health Center will be established to
provide access to primary health care services such as regular check-up and
treatment of illnesses. Proper health care infrastructures, medical supplies and
equipment will be provided. The Mangyan Health Center will be located in the
Municipality of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. With the cstablishment of the
health center, the Mangyan ICCs/IPs will no longer suffer discrimination and
displacement in seeking health services. They will finally receive the appropriate
health care that they truly deserve.

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

ATTY. PAULINO “DQX” SALVADOR C. LEACHON
Senior Deputy Speaker
Representative, Ist District - Oriental Mindoro


Car anneawne

i

15

16

17

18

©

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8879

Introduced by Representative Senior Deputy Speaker Doy C. Leachon

AN ACT
PROVIDING A MANGYAN HEALTH PROGRAM FOR THE INDIGENOUS
CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (ICCs/IPs) IN
THE PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL MINDORO, ESTABLISHING FOR THE
PURPOSE THE MANGYAN HEALTH CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Mangyan Health
Program.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect the right
to health of the people and adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social
services available to all the people. The State also recognizes the right of the
indigenous peoples to have equitable access to health care services. Towards this end,

it is necessary to provide a program that will ensure the delivery of adequate health


cre

12

13

14

15

16

18

19

20

2a

22

services appropriate to the needs, culture, and condition of the Mangyan indigenous
cultural communities and indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs).

SEC. 3. Mangyan Health Program. — The Department of Health (DOH) shall,
in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), local government units, and
Mangyan tribal communities, establish and implement a health program for the
Mangyan ICCs/IPs, hereinafter referred to as the “Program.” The Program shall have
the following objectives:

a) Provide culture-sensitive primary health care services to Mangyan ICCs/IPs;

b) Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of health services to Mangyan
ICCs/IPs;

c) Ensure that in the delivery health services, Mangyan ICCs/IPs are not
discriminated;

d) Promote the equitable distribution of needed health resources; and

e) Recognize, support, and respect the safe and beneficial indigenous health
practices.

For purposes of this Act, Mangyan ICCs/IPs include the Iraya, Alangan,
Batangan, Tadyawan, Buhid, Tao Buid, Hanunoo, and Ratagnon.

SEC. 4. Program Components. — The components of the Program are as
follows:

a) Efficient health management and administration;

b) Health infrastructures and facilities;


5

6

7

8

9

10

13

4

15

16

17

18

19

20

2a

c) Capable human resources or staff:

d) Sufficient supplies of medicines and equipment;

e) Strategy on implementation; and

f) Health promotion and education.

SEC. 5. Mangyan Health Program Council. - There shall be a Mangyan Health
Program Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council” which shall be responsible
for the over-all planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the health
program and shall be composed of:

a) Secretary of Health, as chairperson;

b) Chairperson of the NCIP, as vice chairperson;

c) Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;

d) Representatives of the local chief executives of the local government units
with Mangyan population; and

e) Three (3) representatives of Mangyan communities which shall be appointed
by the NCIP; as members.

The Secretary of Health, chairperson of the NCIP, and the Secretary of the
Interior and Local Government may designate their authorized representatives with a
rank not lower than that of an undersecretary from their respective offices.

The members shall serve without compensation, but they shall be reimbursed
for necessary expenses incurred in their attendance in meetings of the Council or in

connection with their official duties.


1

10

1

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

SEC. 6. Mangyan Health Center. — There is hereby established a health center
in the Municipality of Mansalay, Province of Oriental Mindoro, to be known as the
“Mangyan Health Center.” The Mangyan Health Center shall primarily provide
special and culture-sensitive primary health care services to Mangyan ICCs/IPs and
shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of health services. It shall have
adequate and appropriate facilities to render quality health services to Mangyan
ICCs/IPs.

SEC. 7. Administration. - The Mangyan Health Center shall be headed by an
executive director who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health. The executive
director shall administer, direct, coordinate, and control the affairs of the Mangyan
Health Center. The executive director shall receive compensation based on existing
compensation laws and shall enjoy the rank and privileges of a director of a government
hospital. The Mangyan Health Center shall have an assistant director, to be appointed
by the Secretary of Health, who shall assist the executive director in the management
of its administrative operations. The administrative staff comprising the Mangyan
Health Center shall be in accordance with the requirements and standards of the
staffing pattern set by the DOH.

The Council may detail or hire additional personnel for the effective and

efficient operation of the center.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. — The executive director shall exercise the

following powers and functions:


10

ote

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

a) Govern the administration and operation of the affairs of the Mangyan Health
Center;

b) Develop or support patient care programs related to the appropriate care,
treatment, and accommodation of Mangyan patients;

c) Solicit and receive donations, endowments, and funds in the form of
contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private sectors, local
or international, for and on behalf of the Mangyan Health Center;

d) Accept voluntary or uncompensated services;

e) Appoint such other personnel and staff as may be necessary for the effective
operation of the Mangyan Health Center, subject to existing civil service laws, rules,
and regulations;

f) Provide for the continued improvement of the Mangyan Health Center and its
facilities in accordance with the requirements of the DOH, including the training of
personnel;

g) Purchase and issue medicines, supplies and materials, equipment and property
required for its operation and maintenance, subject to availability of funds or
appropriation therefor;

h) Account for the funds, property and other assets of the Mangyan Health
Center and submit an annual financial report to the Secretary of Health at the end of

each year;


10

1

12

13

4

15

17

18

19

20

21

i) Promote cooperation and coordination with other medical institutions, public
or private health facilities, health centers and medical service agencies for any
assistance as may be required in the performance of duties; and

j) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the accomplishment of
the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 9. Health Workers. — The Mangyan Health Center shall be composed of
composed of trained health workers which include doctors, nurses, midwives, and
other staff members who shall provide locally adopted and culture-sensitive care.
Mangyan health workers shall be employed in the center to facilitate communication
and understanding of the culture and practices of the patients.

SEC. 10. Supply of Essential Medicines and Equipment. — The Council shall
ensure the timely supply and delivery of essential medicines and equipment to the
Mangyan Health Center. It shall also recognize and support the development and
beneficial use of traditional or alternative medicines.

SEC. 11. Strategies. —In the delivery of health services, the social and cultural
determinants that affect the health practices of Mangyan ICCs/IPs must be considered.
Human rights must be respected, and social justice must also be taken into account.
Health services must be delivered on a regular basis, and with standards that include
safe and effective indigenous knowledge, system and practices. Quality control
mechanism for health services rendered shall ensure the access, adequacy and

appropriateness of the health services to Mangyan ICCs/IPs. Positive reinforcement


10

roe

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

approach shall be employed to promote acceptability and utilization of the health
program and services.

SEC. 12. Health Promotion and Education. — The Mangyan Health Center
shall conduct health promotion and education sessions or seminars with Mangyan
ICCs/IPs under the Program, which shall consider the use of local language and
indigenous illustrations, visuals, and concepts for better comprehension. The Council
shall ensure the proper dissemination of health information.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the
Chairperson of the NCIP, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the current year’s appropriation of the
Department of Health. Thereafter, such sum necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,