TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1066
rfitf d the “'ftvft.iiy
25 AUG-6 P4 *29
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
FURTHER PROMOTING ORGAN DONATION AFTER DEATH FOR SPECIFIED 
PURPOSES BY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7170 OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "ORGAN DONATION ACT OF 1991"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the face of modern medical challenges and advancements, the ability to save 
another person through organ donation stands as one of the most powerful 
expressions of human compassion and solidarity.
Republic Act No. 7170, or the "Organ Donation Act of 1991", is a landmark 
legislation, especially at the time of its passage. However, more than three decades 
since its enactment, there is a need to update the law to align with both medical 
progress and the persistent gap between the number of patients in need of transplants 
and the available donors.
The Department of Health, through the Philippine Organ Donation and 
Transplantation Program and the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing, has 
highlighted the growing importance of organ and tissue donation. According to an 
article published by the Philippine News Agency on 5 July 2023, the number of organ 
transplants from deceased donors increased from 6 in 2021 to 40 in 2022. 
Additionally, the number of deceased donors increased from 3 to 20 during the same


period. Furthermore, corneal transplants increased from 128 to 209, and transplant 
candidate enlistment rose by 25%, from 111 individuals in 2021 to 139 in 2022.
However, even with this progress, the gap remains wide and critical. In a report 
by GMA News in February 2024, the Department of Health reiterated its call for more 
organ donations, citing the rising number of patients awaiting life-saving transplants. 
As of February 2024, nearly 300 patients are on the waiting list, the majority of whom 
are in need of a kidney. According to National Kidney and Transplant Institute 
Coordinator Chief Dr. Peter Paul Plegaria, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) continues to 
be one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, with an estimated number of 
2.3 million Filipinos suffering from the disease.
These figures reflect the reality that, while organ donations and donor have 
increased, they are still not enough to meet the needs of patients whose lives depend 
on timely transplants.
This proposed measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7170 by further 
promoting organ donation after death. The ultimate goal of this measure is to save 
lives and create a more compassionate and effective organ donation system that can 
meet the growing needs of Filipinos in the country.
This measure also builds on earlier legislative efforts, particularly filed by 
Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara during the 19th Congress prior to his 
appointment as Secretary of Education. This measure underwent committee hearings 
and received valuable input from health professionals and stakeholders.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1066
Senate
(©ffiff of lIlP ^'f f 
I'O
25 AUG -6 P4:29
RECEIVED SY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
FURTHER PROMOTING ORGAN DONATION AFTER DEATH FOR SPECIFIED 
PURPOSES BY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7170 OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "ORGAN DONATION ACT OF 1991"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7170 or the "Organ Donation Act of
2 
1991" shall be amended to read as follows:
3 
"SECTION 7. Duty of Hospitals. - A hospital authorized
4 
to receive organ donations or to conduct transplantation shall
5 
train qualified personnel and their staff to handle the task of
6 
introducing the organ donation program in a humane and
7 
delicate manner to the relatives of the donor-decedent
8 
enumerated in Section 4 hereof. The hospital shall accomplish
9 
the necessary form or document as proof of compliance with
10 
the above requirement.
11 
"HOSPITALS SHALL ALSO BE MANDATED TO
12 
INCORPORATE IN THEIR ADMISSION FORMS A
13 
QUERY ON WHETHER OR NOT THE INDIVIDUAL
14 
ACCESSING HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS AN ORGAN
15 
DONOR AND IF HE/SHE IS WILLING TO BE AN ORGAN


1 
DONOR WHICH SHALL FORM PART OF THE
2 
HOSPITAL'S DATABASE."
3 
Sec. 2. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 7170 is further amended to read as
4 
follows:
5 
"SECTION 15. Information Drive. - In order that the
6 
public will obtain the maximum benefits from this Act, the
7 
Department of Health, in cooperation with HEALTH CARE
8 
institutions, such as the National Kidney AND TRANSPLANT
9 
Institute, PHILIPPINE HEART CENTER, LUNG CENTER
10 
OF THE PHILIPPINES and civic and non-government health
11 
organizations INVOLVED IN THE DONATION AND
12 
TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN ORGANS, PHILIPPINE
13 
INFORMATION AGENCY, and other [health -related]
14 
RELEVANT GOVERNMENT agencies [, involved-irh-the
15 
donation—and transplantation—of human organs,] shall
16 
undertake faj public information programs AND
17 
ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS HIGHLIGHTING THE
18 
IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN DONATION
19 
"The Secretary of Health shall endeavor to persuade all
20 
health professionals, both government and private, to make
21 
an appeal for human organ donation.
22 
"PUBLIC HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS SHALL
23 
ALSO BE MANDATED TO ESTABLISH MANNED AREAS
24 
WITHIN THEIR PREMISES THAT ARE EASILY SEEN
25 
AND ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC FOR THE PURPOSES
26 
OF ACQUIRING ORGAN DONOR CARDS AND
27 
LEARNING MORE ABOUT ORGAN DONATION."
28 
Sec. 3. Separabiiity Cause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
29 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
30 
remain in full force and effect.


1 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
2 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
3 
accordingly.
4 
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,