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. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PEPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T  
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA %OIn P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 11 mandates the States to give 
priority to the needs of women. To carry out this mandate, the State should 
undertake appropriate research focusing on women’s health which shall be 
responsible to their needs and responsibilities. 
Women have peculiar needs and responsibilities. 
Women are more 
exposed to diseases and danger as they get pregnant and give birth. Studies 
show that women who give birth are more susceptible to pregnancy-related and 
childbirth-related complications, especially if the women are either too young 
or too old, or if the pregnancies and child bearing have been too many or 
closely spaced. 
Because of the responsibilities of women in this society, they have 
heavier and more tiring workloads. 
Women, aside from doing incorne- 
generating work, also have to perform such other responsibilities as child 
rearing, community work and housework, which often fall solely on them. 
Hence, there is probability that they get tired more and so may have lower 
resistance to infections. 
Taking into account the needs of women arising from the role that they 
play in this society, this bill seeks to establish the Office of Research on 
Women’s Health which shall conduct research on women’s health and shall 
provide the appropriate and quality care to women. 
In view hereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly 
recommended. 
LUISA “LOP P . ~ E R C I T O  ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PEPUBLIC 
) 
’@; 
J l b j  
30 
i9 2 :.Y3 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T  
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. 
on Women’s Health Act.” 
Short TitZe. - This Act shall be known as the “Research 
(a) 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Poltcy. - It is the policy of the State to 
give priority to needs of women. Taking into account the inherent 
disparity between men and women, the State shall undertake a 
research focusing on women’s health which shall be responsive to 
the needs of every women. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term,: 
(A) 
“Secretary“ shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of 
Health; 
(B) 
“Women’s health conditions” shall refer to all diseases, disorders, 
and conditions - 
(i) 
unique to serious, or more prevalent in women; 


(ii) 
for which the factors of medical risk or types of medical 
intervention are different for women, or which it is unknown 
whether such factors or types are different for women; or 
with respect to which there has been insufficient clinical 
research involving women as subjects or insufficient clinical 
data on women. 
(iii) 
(C) 
”Research on women’s health” shall mean research on women’s 
health conditions, including research on preventing such 
conditions; and 
(D) 
“Committee” shall refer to the Advisory Committee on Women’s 
Health. 
SEC.4. 
EstabZ2shment of the Office of Research on 
Women’s 
Health. - There shall be established an office to be known as the Office of 
Research on Women’s Health which shall be headed by the Secretary. The 
Secretary shall have the following functions: 
(A) 
To identify projects of research on women’s health that should be 
conducted or supported by both the government and non- 
government agencies; 
(B) 
To promote coordination and collaboration among entities 
conducting research identified under paragraph A; 
To recommend an agenda for conducting and supporting such 
research; and 
To encourage the conduct of such research. 
(C) 
(D) 
SEC. 5. Advisory Commfttee on Women’s Health. - In carrying out 
the provisions of Section 4, the Secretary shall establish a Committee to be 
known as the Advisory Committee on Womens’ Health. 


SEC. 6. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) 
members which shall include the following. 
Two (2) representatives from the Department; 
Four (4) physicians, practitioners and other health personnel; 
Two (2) representatives from a non-governmental organization 
which conducts research on women; 
One (1) representatives from the general public. 
A majority of the members of the Committee shall be women. 
SEC. 7. Meetings. - The Advisory Committee shall determine the 
number, time, place and conduct of meetings, except that it shall hold at least 
one (1) public meeting each year at which the general public is given an 
opportunity to express views concerning the conduct of research on women’s 
health by the Office. 
SEC. 8. Term of Office. - Members shall be appointed by the Secretary 
for a term of three (3) years. Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall 
serve for three (3) years, three (3) members for two (2) years, and last three (3) 
members for one (1) year. 
Any vacancy in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause in accordance 
with procedures established by the Committee. 


EC. 9. Fundons. - The Committee shall have the following functions: 
Advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be 
undertaken by the Office with respect to - 
research on women’s health; 
research on gender differences in clinical drugs trials, 
including responses to pharmacological drugs; 
research to gender differences in disease etiology, course and 
treatment; 
research on obstetrical gynecological health conditions, 
diseases and treatment; and 
research on women’s health conditions which require a 
multidisciplinary approach. 
Report to the Secretary on such research; 
Provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of 
the Office; and 
Prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee. 
SEC. 10. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, 
such amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from 
the National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous 
operation Of the Office of the Research on Women’s Health shall be included in 
the annual appropriations of the Department of Health. 
SEC. 11. SeparabiZi@ 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 12. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby mended 
or repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 13., EffeeCtivQ CZause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Cvl/tere/GVLwomen’s health act