EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
S.B,
SENATE 
No. 1648
FILED
2020
TIME
BIttS
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROMOTING PLASMA DONATION AND COLLECTION FOR COVID-19 
PATIENTS, ESTABLISHING PLASMA BANKS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, " The State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them."
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a devastating toll on human health and 
lives, not only in the Phiiippines, but also worldwide. However, the greater fear faced 
by people is the lack of available vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus. 
Moreover, health practitioners all over the world have been trying various cures for 
COVID-19, and the latest being the convalescent plasma therapy. It is a treatment 
which uses the antibodies of coronavirus survivors to boost the immune systems of 
those critically ill.
Studies show that convalescent plasma may be used as a treatment for 
patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections and people 
who have been determined by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression 
to severe or life-threatening disease.
This bill, thus, seeks to promote the donation and collection of convalescent 
plasma which is vital for the recovery of COVID-19 patients. Further, it aims to 
establish plasma banks within one (1) year after the effectivity of the Act which will 
aid the speedy recovery of COVID-19 patients and prevent more lives lost.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill 
is earnestly sought. 
.
ARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1648
FLED
7»ME
BiLt-G
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROMOTING PLASMA DONATION AND COLLECTION FOR COVID-19 
PATIENTS, ESTABLISHING PLASMA BANKS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled.
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Plasma Donation
2 
and Collection Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -The State shall protect and promote the right
4 
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Studies show
5 
that the use of antibodies of coronavirus survivors can be used as treatment for
6 
patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, and
7 
people who have been determined by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of
8 
progression to severe or life-threatening disease. Towards these ends, the State
9 
shall promote the donation and collection of convalescent plasma.
10 
Sec. 3. Plasma Donation and Collection. - The government, through the
11 
Department of Health (DOH), shall promote the donation and collection of
12 
convalescent plasma or plasma from COVID-19 recovered patients. Provided that,
13 
such recovered patients shall qualify the eligibility criteria, as may be determined by
14 
DOH, for collection and donation of plasma. Provided further that, such collection,
15 
storage, and all activities in relation to the procedure be coordinated at the national
16 
level through effective organization and integrated blood supply networks.
17 
Sec. 4. Establishment of Plasma Banks. - One (1) year after the effectivity of
18 
this Act, all hospitals, private and public, shall have a facility where plasma can be
19 
collected and stored. All hospitals with existing plasma storage facilities and capable


1 
of collecting and storing piasma shaii be deemed to have complied with the
2 
provisions of this Act.
3 
Sec. 5. Proper Safeguards and Handling. - To guarantee the integrity of the
4 
plasma and other blood products, that shall be collected, all plasma banks, as
5 
accredited by DOH, shaii ensure that aii piasma and other blood products collected
6 
have been labeled accordingly, tested and found to be negative of biood
7 
transmissibie diseases, and observed an estabiished chain of custody, according to
8 
acceptable standards.
9 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially Implement the
10 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of
11 
the DOH. Thereafter, such sums, as may be needed, for Its continued
12 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
13 
The DOH shall provide technical and financial support to hospitals under the
14 
supervision of local government units In the setting-up and maintenance of the
15 
plasma banks.
16 
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from
17 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for
18 
the implementation of this Act.
19 
Sec. 8. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
20 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
21 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 9. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
23 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
24 
remain In force and effect.
25 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
26 
following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a
27 
newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
28
29 
Approved,