SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No._3605

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INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

SOCIAL JUSTICE is the very hallmark of our fundamental law. It includes the
earnest delivery of basic services to the people, especially the underprivileged who
needs it most.

This bill, more than a mechanism to fulfill the fundamental guarantee on the
citizens’ right to health, is a legislation honoring social justice, by providing a
comprehensive program of free vaccination and immunization of Filipino infants and
children.

The attached bill suggests a comprehensive free vaccination and
immunization program for Filipino infants and children. Such initiative is essential
considering that a considerable number of infants annually remain unvaccinated and
vulnerable to preventable ilinesses, like measles, neonatal tetanus, polio and
hepatitis B, Further, this bill mandates the Department of Health and all other
medical or health institutions to conduct and make available immunization and
vaccination at a faster frequency and access or on weekly basis.

The following factual information deserve attention and rationalizes why this
legislation deserves to pass soonest

|. Vaccination for measles is needed as the disease kills. Every infant needs to
be vaccinated against measles at the age of nine (9) months or as soon as
possible after nine (9) months as part of routine infant vaccination schedule

2. An early hepatitis B vaccine reduces the chance of being infected and
becoming a carrier. It prevents liver cirrhosis which is more likely to develop if
infected with hepatitis B early in life. Likewise, the statistics indicate that about
9,000 infants die of complication of hepatitis B yearly.

3. Children can be guarded early on against three infectious diseases, to wit:
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis.

Immediate enactment of this bill is highly recommended.
WV

MARK A. VILLAR



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

05

HOUSE BILL NO. 36

Introduced by HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH, THROUGH
THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE VACCINATION AND
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS AND CHILDREN, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. The citizen's right to health is a fundamental guarantee enshrined
in the Constitution. Thus, it is a declared policy that "The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them."

Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have become
expensive and has not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby declared that
the same should be made available for free administration and comprehensively
adopted as a program of social justice

Section 2. The Department of Health through all government hospitals, its
satellite offices, accredited government clinics and medical institutions shall provide
for free the following vaccination and immunizations for infants and children:

a. Hepatitis B;

b. DPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough);
c. Hilnfluenza type B;

d. Polio;

e. Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis)

f Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles);

g. Varicella (chicken pox)


Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of
religious belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical reasons
and which is certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other valid reason
that may be advanced by the parents of the infant or child, as necessary. Provided
further, that a certain day of the week must be devoted for immunization and
vaccination in all local government unit health centers.

Section 3. The Department of Health in consultation with the national
association of pediatrics and recognized experts of the private sector,
nongovernmental organizations and peoples’ organizations and academe on child
health and care, children’s rights and parental guidance, shall issue the relevant
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 4, The amount of One Billion Pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) annually to
implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free immunization
and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in the budget of the
Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act.

One percent (1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and controlled
corporations shall be collected and to form part of the fund that may be used for the
purpose.

Section 5. If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

Section 6. All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

Section 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (16) days after its complete

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes earlier.

Approved,