TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-7 P{10'-26
S. No.
SENATE
179
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE FUND 
FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms the State's obligation to adopt an 
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development. It mandates the 
government to make essential goods, health, and other social services accessible to 
all Filipinos, with particular primacy given to accessibility for the underprivileged, sick, 
elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and children. Additionally, the State is called 
upon to provide free medical care to paupers.
In connection with the above, the issue of cancer remains a formidable public 
health challenge in the Philippines. It is currently the third leading cause of mortality 
nationwide, surpassed only by communicable and cardiovascular diseases. With an 
incidence rate of 189 per 100,000 people, cancer claims the lives of approximately 
four Filipinos every hour. Over the past decades, the incidence and mortality rates of 
cancer have steadily increased. Without comprehensive and sustained investments in 
specialized care and preventive health systems, it would be no surprise if the trends 
worsen.
It is also important to note, that in addition to the emotional burdens caused 
by possible death due to cancer, the financial burdens are also substantial. A single 
chemotherapy session may cost up to PhP100,000.00, while radiation therapy and 
other advanced diagnostic procedures remain unaffordable to many Filipinos. Cancer 
has thus earned the grim reputation of being a "disease of the rich", despite the reality 
of its ability to affect individuals regardless of their social or economic standing.


Thus, a just and inclusive national economy demands that opportunities such 
as essential healthcare services must be equitably distributed. It is both a moral and 
constitutional imperative that those who are less In life be given a fighting chance 
against cancer, regardless of status and ability to pay.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is sought.
CAMILLE VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-7 A10:26
S. No.
SENATE
179
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE FUND 
FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS
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Be it enacted by die Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Cancer Medicine and 
Treatment Fund for Filipinos."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby a policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and to adopt and implement a system of 
effecting the delivery of free medicine and free treatment to indigent and 
underprivileged cancer patients.
SEC. 3. Establishment of a PhPlO Billion Cancer Fund and Free Medicine 
Assistance Program. There is hereby created a Ten Billion Cancer Fund that can be 
availed of by indigent and underprivileged cancer patients. For this purpose, a Cancer 
Treatment Program, hereinafter referred to as the "Program," is established and to be 
administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its 
accredited government hospitals in each province.


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The Program shall be limited to indigent and underprivileged cancer patient 
beneficiaries which shall be identified by the PhilHealth in close coordination with the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health 
(DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The PhilHealth, jointly with the DSWD, DOH and DILG and the relevant private 
groups including the association of hospitals and medical institutions and groups of 
patients, shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out 
the provision of this Act within six (6) months from the effectivity hereof.
SEC. 4. Appropriations. - There is hereby appropriated the sum of Ten Billion 
Pesos (PhP10,000,000,000.00) for the implementation of the Program. The National 
Government shall subsequently include in the budget of the Department of Health in 
the General Appropriations Act such amount as may be necessary to carry out the 
objectives of this Act.
SEC 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.
SEC 6. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including 
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified 
accordingly.
SEC 7. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,