Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2648 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO 
CHILDREN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Around 80% of a child’s learning depends on their ability to see and process visual information.1 
When poor eyesight goes unaddressed, it puts their education, development, and future potential 
at risk. According to a study by the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI) under the National 
Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines-Manila, 1 in 10 Filipino kindergarten 
pupils suffers from visual impairment. This means that in a typical classroom of 40 students, at 
least four are already struggling with vision problems, hindering their ability to learn and 
participate fully in school. 2 
The Constitution mandates that the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, 
including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, 
cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.3 In addition, the State 
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people, including children.4  
Ensuring access to proper eye care is not just a health issue. It is a national priority that directly 
affects the country’s educational outcomes and long-term productivity. This bill aims to expand 
access to essential eye health services for Filipino children by allocating targeted grants to local 
government units (LGUs). These funds will enable LGUs to implement school-based and 
community-level vision screening programs, provide necessary treatments, and ensure timely 
referrals. The bill also supports nationwide information campaigns to promote awareness of eye 
care and the importance of early detection, ultimately improving learning outcomes and overall 
child development. 
4 Section 15, Article II, 1987 Constitution 
3 Section 3(2), Article XV, 1987 Constitution 
2 Crisostomo (2019). More Filipino Kids Developing Visual Impairment. 
https://www.onenews.ph/articles/more-filipino-kids-developing-visual-impairment  
1 Vision and Learning Difficulties. 
https://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/guide-vision-and-learning-difficulties/vision-and-learning-difficulties/ 
July 30, 2025
12:15 pm


In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
      MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 2648 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samanta Taliño Santos 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO 
CHILDREN 
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 “Vision Care for Kids Act.” 
Section 2. Definition of Terms. – The following terms as used in this Act shall be defined as 
follows: 
(1)
“Comprehensive Eye Examination” refers to an assessment of a patient’s history,
general medical observation, external and ophthalmoscopic examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment 
and motility, refraction, and, as appropriate, binocular vision or gross visual fields, performed by a 
licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.  
(2)
“LGU” refers to a local government unit, which may be a province, city or a
municipality. 
(3)
“Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Health.
(4)
“Child” refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age, or over but unable to fully
take care of himself or herself as defined under existing laws. (e) “Vision Screening” refers to a brief 
examination to identify children who may have vision problems and require further assessment. 
Section 3. Grant Regarding Vision Care for Children. – The Secretary shall establish and 
implement a grant program to award grants to LGUs, based on an established review process, to 
complement existing government efforts for:  
(a)
Providing comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or
ophthalmologist for children identified through vision screening or examination as needing such 
services, with priority given to children under eight (8) years old;  


(b) Providing treatment or services, subsequent to the examinations described above,
necessary to correct vision problems; 
(c) Developing and disseminating educational materials to parents, teachers, and health
care practitioners on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children; Provided, That not more 
than twenty percent (20%) of the grant may be used for this purpose. 
Section 4. Criteria and Coordination. – The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
professional and consumer organizations, LGUs, and relevant stakeholders, shall develop criteria 
governing the operation of the grant program under Section 3, including the collection, analysis, 
and reporting of data related to vision assessment and the utilization of follow-up services. The 
collection and handling of personal data shall comply with the Data Privacy Act and other 
relevant laws. 
Section 5. Application. – To be eligible for a grant under Section 3, an LGU shall submit an 
application to the Secretary in such form and manner as may be prescribed, including:  
(a) Information on existing children’s vision programs;
(b) A plan for the use of grant funds, including how funds will complement existing
government efforts and possible partnerships with non-profit entities; 
(c) A plan to identify eligible children as provided in Section 3;
(d) A description of how funds will be used as a secondary payer to any local government
compensation program, insurance policy, or government health benefits program. 
Section 6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting. – Each LGU receiving a grant shall submit 
to the Secretary, not later than one (1) year after initial receipt of funds and annually thereafter, 
an evaluation of the operations and activities carried out under the grant, including: 
(a) An assessment of the utilization of vision services and the status of children receiving
such services; 
(b) The collection, analysis, and reporting of children’s vision data in accordance with
guidelines prescribed by the Secretary; 
(c) Such other information as may be required by the Secretary. The Secretary shall submit
an annual consolidated report to Congress on the implementation of this Act. 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government, LGUs, and relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. The IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Section 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Department of Health. Thereafter, such 


sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Section 9. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions hereof not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in force and effect. 
 
Section 10. Repealing Clause. –Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Section 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,