FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3141 
---.. ------~--~~~~-
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLA~JATORY NOTE 
, 
~:Y~':;H{ i \,' 
" (H\!lfl \,f l' [' "'. ,,-rt:Hlt 
This bill seeks to create a National Cancer Institute of the Philippines, in line with the policy of 
the state (Section 15, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines) to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, out-ranked only by communicable 
and cardiovascular diseases claiming one death for every two new cases within a year. Cancer is 
estimated to afflict 189 persons per 100,000 Filipinos. Statistics show that cancer kills 103 Filipinos a 
day or four Filipinos per hour. The incidence and mortality rates of cancer in the Philippines has been 
increasing the past three decades and this trend is expected to continue if organized and sustained 
specialized care and preventive measures against cancer are not initiated. 
This bill provides for the centralization of planning, programs, and activities related to the 
prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer The centralization will apply as 
well to the conduct of research related to malignant diseases, the assignment or distribution of such 
research activities and the dissemination or application of beneficial research results. 
As provided in this bill, centralization coupled with the establishment of a network of regional 
treatment and research centers will prevent duplication of efforts, reduce costs, provide a 
comprehensive view of the cancer-affected sectors, and enable a more appropriate assignment of 
priorities on programs/activities/fund allocation. 
Moreover, the establishment of regional cancer centers, as envisioned in this bill, presents in 
concrete form the government's intention to make specialized health services more accessible to 
people outside highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila and the cities of Cebu and Davao where 
cancer treatment is traditionally available. 
If enacted into a law and properly implemented, the various regional cancer centers --which will 
be manned with highly competent staffs and equipped with appropriate facilities - will raise the 
availability of cancer treatment, reducing the gap between the supply of and demand for said services, 
therefore leading to reduced costs to patients. Eventually, all these could raise the inflow of medical 
tourists, increase the inflow of medical workers from developing countries who will pay for training in 
the centers, expand the local sector that provides hospice care for cancer patients, raise the supply of 
exportable 
medical/health 
workers 
who 
are 
skilled 
in 
cancer 
treatment, 
raise 
the 
individual/regional/national incomes from the medical sector, and raise revenues to finance continuing 
modernization of the country's cancer-related services and facilities. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
-----
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3141 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'17 
f1AR -1 
P? :31 
CREATING A NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL CANCER 
INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The National Cancer Institute Act of 
2012". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. - It is hereby declared as further poliCY and 
principles of the State to: 
(a) Promote specialized, multidisciplinary and comprehensive cancer research, dissemination 
and/or utilization of the results of research and 
development including the formulation, 
updating, and implementation of a comprehensive cancer control plan with the aim of 
overcoming cancer; 
(b) Promote the improvement of an environment for the prompt evaluation and approval of 
drugs/medical devices that are highly needed in cancer treatment, through the linkage with 
Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of 
Agriculture and other concerned agencies. 
(c) Enhance cancer prevention through education of, and information dissemination to, the publiC, 
health care professionals and institutions; 
(d) Encourage evidence-based early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer; 
(e) Enable cancer patients to receive appropriate treatment based on scientific knowledge; 
(f) Establish a system that provides equitable distribution of medical cancer care in which the 
treatment is chosen and administered according to the situation of the patient regardless of 
financial ability; 
(g) Promote palliative care including pain management, hospice care and other measures to 
improve the quality of life of cancer patients even terminal ones; and 
(h) Support the rehabilitation of cancer patients through comprehensive programs Including 
providing assistance to cancer survivors. 
SEC. 3. National Cancer Advisory Board. - There is hereby created the National Cancer Advisory 
Board, to be composed of fifteen members as follows: 
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), the Secretary of the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), 
and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as ex officio members of the Board. 
(b) Twelve members appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation through a 


careful selection process. The scientists and physicians appointed to the Board shall be persons who 
are among the country's leading scientific or medical authorities and who are outstanding in the study, 
diagnosis, or treatment of cancer or in fields related thereto. Each appointed member of the Board 
shall, by virtue of his or her training, experience, and background, is qualified to appraise the 
programs of the National Cancer Institute. The appointed members shall receive an honorarium of not 
more than Fifty Thousand Pesos per attendance to the Board's meeting, while the ex officio members 
shall receive per diem compensation. 
(1 )Appointed members shall serve for a period of four years. Any vacancy shall be filled by 
appointment by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the National Cancer 
Advisory Board. 
(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to expiration· of the term for which 
his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the remainder of such term. 
(3) Appointed members shall be eligible for reappointment and may serve after the expiration 
of their terms until their successors have assumed office. 
(4) 
A vacancy in the Board shall not affect its activities, and eight members, including the 
ex officio members, thereof shall constitute a quorum. 
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions of the National Cancer Advisory Board. - The Board shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
(a) The regular members of the Board shall elect from among themselves a Chairman who shall 
be the presiding officer of the Board. 
(b) The Board shall elect from among themselves the Director of the National Cancer Institute who 
shall also serve as Vice Chairman of the Board. 
(c) The Board shall formulate policies and adopt measures, including the formulation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations, which are necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act. 
(d) The Board shall meet at the call of the Director of the National Cancer Institute or the 
Chairman, not less than once a month, and shall advise and assist the Director of the National 
Cancer Institute with respect to the National Cancer Program. 
(e) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall designate a member of the staff of the 
I nstitute to act as Executive Secretary of the Board. 
(f) The Board shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer Program 
formulated, updated and improved by the NCI and shall report directly to the President. Any 
delays or blockages in rapid execution of the Program shall immediately be brought to the 
attention of the President. 
(g) The Board may hold such hearings, take such testimony, and sit and act at such times and 
places as the Board deems advisable to investigate programs and activities of the National 
Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute. 
(h) The Board shall submit to the President periodic progress reports on the Program. Annual 
evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions for improvements shall be submitted 
for transmittal to the Congress of the Philippines not later than January 31 of each year. 
(i) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall make available to the Board such staff, 
information, and other assistance as it may require in carrying out its activities. 
SEC. 5. National Cancer Institute. - There is hereby established a National Cancer Institute 
which shall compile data, conduct, coordinate researches, investigations, experiments, and studies 
relating to the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. This Institute shall assist and foster similar 
research activities by other institutions and organizations, public and private. including individuals. The 
institute is furthermore established to promote coordination in all such researches and the useful 
application of their results with a view to the development and prompt widespread use of the most 


effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Linkages with National Institutes 
of Health and Department of Science and Technology through Philippine Council for Health Research 
and Development will be coordinated to avoid overlap of projects. 
SEC. 6. Director of the National Cancer Institute. -
(a) The Director of the National Cancer Institute coordinates all activities of the Department of Health 
and of other Departments of government and non- governmental agencies or institutions relating to 
cancer and the National Cancer Program. 
(b) In fo'rmulating and implementing the National Cancer pr'ogram, the Director of the National Cancer 
Institute Shall: 
(1) ) With the advice of the National Cancer Advisory Board, plan and develop the National 
Cancer Program, including an expanded, intensified, and coordinated cancer research 
program encompassing the programs of the National Cancer Institute, related programs of the 
other research institutes, and other national and local, private and public cancer programs. 
(2) Expeditiously utilize existing research facilities and personnel of the Department of Health, 
the Department of Science and Technology through PCHRD and the University of the 
Philippines National Institute for Health for accelerated exploration of opportunities in areas of 
special promise. 
(3) Encourage and coordinate cancer research by industrial concerns where such concerns 
evidence a particular capability for such research. 
(4) Collect, analyze, and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment 
of cancer, including the establishment of an international cancer research data bank to collect, 
catalog, store, and disseminate insofar as feasible the results of cancer research undertaken in 
any country for the use of any person involved in cancer research in any country. 
(5) Establish or support the large-scale production or distribution of specialized biological 
materials and other therapeutic substances for research and set standards of safety and care 
for persons using such materials. 
(6) 
Support research in the cancer field outside the country by highly qualified foreign 
nationals which research can be expected to redound to the benefit of the Filipino people; 
support collaboratil.le research involving foreign participants; and support the training of Filipino 
scientists abroad and foreign scientists in the country. 
(7) Support appropriate manpower programs of training in fundarnental sciences and clinical 
disciplines to provide an expanded and continuing manpower base from which to select 
investigators, physiCians, and allied health professions personnel, for participation in clinical 
and basic research and treatment programs relating to cancer, including where appropriate the 
use of training stipends, fellowships, and career awards. 
(8) Call special meetings of the National Cancer Advisory Board at such times and in such 
places as the Director deems necessary in order to consult with, obtain advice from, or to 
secure the approval of projects, programs, or other actions to be undertaken without delay in 
order to gain maximum benefit from a new scientific or technical finding. 
(9) Prepare and submit, directly to the President of the Philippines for review and transmittal to 
Congress, an annual budget estimate for the National Cancer Program, after reasonable 
opportunity for comment (but without change) by the Secretary of Health, the Director of the 
National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Advisory Board; and receive from the 
President and the Department of Budget and Management directly all funds appropriated by 
Congress for obligation and expenditure by the National Cancer Institute. 
SEC. 7. National Cancer Research and Demonstration Centers-
(a) A National Cancer Research Center is hereby established in each metropolitan city in the country 
and one in the National Capital Region for clinical research, training, and demonstration of advanced 


preventive, diagnostic, and treatment methods relating to cancer. 
(b) The National Cancer Research Centers in the metropolitan cities and in the National Capital 
Region are hereby further designated as Regional Cancer Centers and shall perform the functions 
and assume the responsibilities of Cancer Centers as defined in Section 9 of this Act. 
(c) The Director of the National Cancer Institute, under policies established by the Director of the 
National Institutes of Health, the PCHRD and the DOST and after consultation with the National 
Cancer Advisory Board, is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private 
nonprofit agencies or institutions to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, or 
strengthening, and providing basic operating support for the research centers including, but not limited 
to, centers established for clinical research, training, and demonstration of advanced diagnostic and 
treatment methods relating to cancer. 
Such payments under this subsection in support of such cooperative agreements may be used for: 
(1) construction of the designated center; 
(2) staffing and other. basic operating costs, including such patient care costs as are required for 
research; 
(3) training including training for allied health professions personnel; and 
(4) demonstration purposes; 
Support of a center under this section may be for a period of not to exceed three years and may be 
extended by the Director of the National Cancer Institute for additional periods of not more than three 
years each, after review and recommendation of the operations of such center by an appropriate 
scientific review group established by the Director of the National Cancer Institute. 
SEC. 8. Cancer Control Programs - The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall 
establish programs as necessary for cooperation with national and other health agencies in the 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. 
Such programs to be established should give priority to the follOWing. 
(a) A financial subsidy given to indigent patients, upon qualification, to cover the expenses of all 
necessary laboratory tests and other related examinations during the diagnosis as well as the 
expenses needed for treatment of cancer; 
(b) A financial subsidy to be given to non-governmental cancer support groups in recognition of 
and in order to facilitate the continuity of the programs they have for cancer patients as well as 
for their families especially in coping and dealing with the circumstances. However, only 
recognized and duly organized support groups shall be granted subsidy in accordance with the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act; 
(c) An independent support group shall be established as a standing program to augment the 
emotional support needed by cancer patients Including their families in dealing and coping with 
the circumstances through regular inspirational and motivational sessions With cancer 
survivors and family members who have experienced having a relative similarly afflicted with 
cancer. 
SEC. 9. Cancer Centers. -
(a) It is hereby established the Regional Cancer Centers for each region in the country and will 
coordinate with the National Cancer Institute through its executive chief officer. 
The respective Cancer Centers are established to carry out the function of administering the National 
Cancer Program as developed by the National Cancer Institute after consultation with the National 
Cancer Advisory Board. 
(1) The Regional Cancer Centers shall be respectively administered by the head of the Regional 
Department of Health Offices as executive chief officer of the Regional Cancer Center under a 


national central executive chief officer designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health 
among his undersecretaries. The regional cancer centers will coordinate with the National 
Cancer Institute. 
(2) The administrative staff comprising each respective cancer centers shall be provided for under 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be formulated by the National Cancer Advisory 
Board. 
(b) The National Cancer Institute through the Director shall oversee each cancer center in the country, 
and upon approval by the National Cancer Advisory Board through a Board Resolution, is hereby 
authorized to: 
(1) obtain the services of not more than fifty experts or consultants who have scientific or 
professional qualifications to be deSignated in each regional cancer centers and in the national 
cancer centers; 
(2) acquire, construct, improve, repair, operate, and maintain cancer centers, laboratories, 
research, and other necessary facilities and eqUipment, and related accommodations as may be 
necessary, and such other real or personal property including patents as the Director deems 
necessary; 
(3) appoint one or more advisory committees composed of such private citizens and officials of the 
local governments as he deems desirable to advise him with respect to his functions; 
(4) utilize, with their consent, the services, equipment, personnel, information, and facilities of 
other local public agencies, with or without reimbursement therefore; 
(5) accept voluntary and uncompensated services; 
(6) accept unconditional gifts, or donations of services, money, or property, real, personal, or 
mixed, tangible or intangible; 
(7) enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions, as may be 
necessary in the conduct of his functions, with any public agency, or with any person, firm, 
association, corporation, or educational institution; and 
(8) take necessary action to ensure that all channels for the dissemination and exchange of 
scientific knowledge and information are maintained between the National Cancer Institute and the 
other scientific, 
medical, 
and 
biomedical 
disciplines and 
organizations 
nationally and 
internationally. 
Sec. 10. Presidential Cancer Panel. -
(a) There is established the President's Cancer Panel which shall be composed of three persons 
appOinted by the President, who by virtue of their training, experience, and background are 
exceptionally qualified to appraise the National Cancer Program. At least two of the members of the 
Panel shall be distinguished scientists or physicians, recommended by the Director of the National 
Cancer Institute. 
(b) Members of the Panel shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that in the case of two of the 
members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year and one shall be appointed for 
a term of two years, as designated by the President at the time of appointment, and any member 
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was 
appOinted shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term 
(1) The president shall deSignate one of the members to serve as Chairman for a term of one 
year. 
(2) 
Members of the panel shall each be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay in effect for salary grade 20 of the General Schedule for each day during 
which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Panel, and shall be 


allowed travel expenses including a per diem allowance. 
(c) The Panel shall meet at the call of the Chairman, but not less often than twelve times a year. A 
transcript shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting of the Panel, and the Chairman shall make 
such transcript available to the public. 
(d) The Panel shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer Program under this 
section, and shall report directly to the President. Any delays or blockages in rapid execution of the 
Program shall immediately be brought to the attention of the President. The Panel shall submit to the 
President periodic progress reports on the Program and annually an evaluation of the efficacy of the 
Program and suggestions for improvements, and shall submit such other reports as the President 
shall direct. At the request of the President, it shall submit for his consideration a list of names of 
persons for consideration for appointment as Oirector of the National Cancer Institute. 
Sec. 11. Scientific Review and Reports on Cancer.-
(a) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall, by regulation, provide for proper sCientific 
review of all research grants and programs over which he has authority by utilizing, to the maximum 
extent possible, appropriate peer review groups established within the National Institutes of Health of 
the University of the Philippines and composed principally of scientists and other experts in the 
scientific and disease fields, and when appropriate, by establishing, with the approval of the National 
Cancer Advisory Board and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, other formal peer review 
groups as may be required. 
(b) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each 
calendar year, prepare in consultation with the National Cancer Advisory Board and submit to the 
President for transmittal to the Congress a report on the activities, progress, and accomplishments 
under the National Cancer Program during the preceding calendar year and a plan for the Program 
during the next five years. 
Sec. 12. Appropriation of Funds. The initial fund in the amount of FIFTY MILLION PESOS 
for the establishment of the National Cancer Institute including the initial implementation of its 
programs shall be appropriated from the gross income of the Philippine Gaming Corporation 
(PAGCOR) and shall be directly remitted to a special account of the National Cancer Institute 
Thereafter, for the continued implementation of this Act, such sums shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Cancer Advisory Board with the 
involvement of the stake holders shall start to establish the committee that will promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations of this act within 90 days from the approval of this act. 
Sec. 14. Congressional Oversight Committee. There is hereby created a Congressional 
Oversight Committee composed of five (5) members of the Senate and five (5) members from the 
House of Representatives. The members from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President 
based on the proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) 
member representing the Minority. The members from the House of Representatives shall be 
appointed by the Speaker, also based on the proportional representation of the parties or coalitions 
therein with the respective Chairs of the House Committees on Health and on Science and 
Technology, and at least one (1) member representing the Minority. 
The Committee shall be headed by the respective Chairs of the Senate Committees on Health 
and on Science and Technology, and House of Representatives Committees on Health and on 
Science and Technology. The Secretariat of the Congressional Oversight Committee shall come from 
the existing Secretariat personnel of the Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
concerned. 


Sec. 15. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remainder of this Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
Sec. 16. 
Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or parts thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3142 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
.! . .'~ J" 
", 
~ " 
'1/ .'\;IR-1 
.:. Ac.'/ 
;r-=c-'-
---.-~--.-
Section 13 of Republic Act 6646, known as the Electoral Reforms Law of 1987, 
mandates that public school teachers comprise the Board of Election Inspectors (BEl). 
Historically, 
they have acquitted themselves well 
in 
carrying 
out their election 
responsibilities. Time and again, the success of national and local elections are rightfully 
attributed to the competence and hard work of teachers. All too often, teachers on election 
duty have made personal sacrifices over and above the call of duty. 
In the 1995 elections, teacher Filomena Tatlonghari was shot and killed in Mabini, 
Batangas, for refusing to surrender a ballot box to armed men. In the 2007 elections, 
teacher Nelly Banaag died protecting the ballots after masked armed men torched two 
classrooms which served as polling precincts in Taysan, Batangas. In the 2010 national and 
barangay elections, many more unsung heroes faced tremendous odds just to ensure the 
peoples' votes are kept safe. 
Mandatory election duty has long been an additional burden borne by public school 
teachers, who are already hard-pressed to provide quality education to our youth, in the 
face of low pay and difficult working conditions. In order to alleviate their plight, teachers 
must be given the freedom to choose whether or not they want to fulfil the roles of the BEl. 
Elections are fundamental to a democratic country. Election service is an essential 
civic duty that should be made available to all concerned citizens. The appointment of BE Is 
from among the ranks of motivated, civic-minded volunteers will provide greater 
opportunities for people's partiCipation in elections. 
For these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.