SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
I 
I 
)1 
SENATE 
S. No. 2948. 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
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'15 
SEP 10 P 1 :29 
lH:rEIVEIl BY:._)~ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL VISION SCREENING PROGRAM FOR 
KINDERGARTEN PUPILS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
! 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Eye disorders or ailments are mostly corrected lor ~ddressed only in the adolescent or 
adult stage. But unknown to many, these problems can be detected and resolved at an 
early stage with the help of simple tests and non-surgical procedures. 
According to the Philippine Eye Research Instit~te I(PERI), which is under the National 
Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines (UP), one (1) in twenty (20) pre-
schoolers and one (1) in four (4) 
school-~ged children has an eye problem. 
Furthermore, more than ten percent (10%) of young children have visual acuity 
problems, including errors of refraction (EOR) and amblyopia, even higher than the US' 
and Europe's five to ten percent (5-10%). Because children cannot, by themselves, 
identify that they have eye problems, studies recommend that vision screening should 
ideally be registered for children starting at age three (3). 
The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology likewise emphasizes the importance of 
normal eye alignment during infancy and childhood since poor vision at this stage 
affects the child's performance in school, or the way he or she interacts with the 
community. Leaving this disorder left untreated may lead to more serious eye problems 
and even, blindness. 
I 
Vision screening tests are simple methods use1 to1identifY children who have or are at 
risk in developing eye problems. It is deemed to be more efficient since it can identify 
numerous eye problems such as strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, amblyopia and other 
refractive errors. 
It is also cost-effective because instead of undergoing a 
comprehensive examination, the student is just :required to look at a penlight or 
flashlight, or to read a chart specifically-made for vision screening. 
I 
Out of all our senses, the sense of sight is the most abused and neglected. Hence, it is 
important that vision screening tests be conducted at an early stage, precisely to 
prevent complications in the future. It is a call for the Department of Health, the 
Department of Education and all related institutions to collaborate and establish a 
centralized and organized program for vision screening tests. 
For these reasons, approval of the Bill is urgently sought. 
sft:l.P~YETANO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATf 
S. No. 
2948 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
~1~11l' ir 
{t~tflrI:- llf tile !4rrtt"hlr!;J 
'15 
SEP 10 P 1 :29 
RECEIVED BY: J~ 
) 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
NATIONAL 
VISION 
SCREENING 
PROGRAM 
FOR 
KINDERGARTEN PUPILS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Vision 
2 
Screening Act." 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 
4 
Philippine Constitution, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and 
5 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
6 
In line with this policy, the State shall endeavor to promote every Filipino's full potential 
7 
through good vision by creating ways and means to address vision problems, including 
8 
blindness, among children. 
I 
9 
Towards this end, the State shall institute a program that will help screen the 
10 
school children for visual problems. 
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SEC. 3. Establishment of a National Vision Screening Program. -
A 
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National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) is hereby established under the 
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Department of Education (DepEd) which is primarily intended to screen the eye vision 
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of kindergarten pupils. 
15 
SEC. 4. Program Objectives. - The objectives of the NVSP are: 
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(a) To conduct a simple vision screening test on kindergarten pupils through 
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trained teachers and identify pupils with possible visual problems; 
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(b) To identify early childhood visual problems; 
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(c) To provide immediate attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils and 
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create a referral system so that they may be checked and treated by eye 
21 
care practitioners; 
22 
(d) To develop a vision screening results database for all kindergarten pupils; 
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and 
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(e) To conduct continuing research on the state of visual impairment among 
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kindergarten pupils. 
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1 
SEC. 5. Program Implementation. - The DepEd shall lead the implementation 
2 
of the NVSP, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine 
3 
Eye Research Institute (PERI), which is under the National Institutes of Health of the 
4 
University of the Philippines (UP). 
5 
In the implementation of the NVSP, the DepEd shall: 
6 
(a) 
In coordination with the DOH and the PERI, administer the vIsion 
7 
screening program to all public kindergarten pupils using a Vision Screening Kit which 
8 
includes charts with symbols or numbers, occluders, and transparent response key: 
9 
Provided, That the DOH and PERI may recommend to adopt new modes or methods 
10 
of vision screening based on the latest trends and developments; 
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(b) 
In coordination with the DOH and PERI, shall train and certify teachers in 
12 
conducting the vision screening program; 
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(c) 
In consultation with the DOH and PERI, develop a system of referral and 
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corrective measures for kindergarten pupils who are suspected or diagnosed to have 
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possible eye ailments; 
16 
(d) 
Create a vision screening database containing the results of the screening 
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per child and visual conditions diagnosed by the eye care practitioners; and 
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(e) 
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NVSP. 
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SEC. 6. Phi/Health's Benefit Package. - The Philippine Health Insurance 
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Corporation (PhilHealth) shall develop a benefit package for the consultation and 
21 
treatment of eye diseases of children. 
22 
SEC. 7. Vision Screening Training. - The PERI shall be mainly responsible for 
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training of Vision Screening Trainers for purposes of quality assurance. It shall likewise 
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recommend the appropriate Vision Screening material to be used. 
, 
25 
SEC. 8. Research. -
The DOH and the PERI shall conduct research and 
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provide evidence-based recommendations to the DepEd on matters pertaining to the 
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NVSP. Furthermore, the PERI shall perform continuing research on childhood related 
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eye vision ailments. 
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SEC. 9. The Vision Screening Continuing Research Fund. - There is hereby 
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created a Vision Screening Continuing Research (VSCR) Fund to be sourced from any 
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donation or bequest made to the DepEd or DOH in favor of the NVSP. The VSCR 
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Fund shall be used to fund the PERI for its continuing research program in connection 
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with childhood related eye vision ailments. 
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SEC. 10. Tax Exemption. - Any donation or bequest made to the DepEd, 
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DOH, or PERI for the NVSP and for the VSCR Fu,nd shall be exempt from donor's tax 
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and the same shall be considered allowable deduction from the gross income of the 
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donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 
38 
1997, as amended: Provided, That the donation is duly approved by the DepEd, DOH, 
39 
or UP. 
i 
, 
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SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The amount currently appropriated in the General 
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Appropriations Act for related activities under the DepEd and DOH shall be allocated 
42 
and utilized for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such amount as may 
43 
be necessary for the NVSP's implementation, including continuing research, shall be 
2 


1 
included under the budget of the DepEd and DOH in the annual General 
2 
Appropriations Act. 
3 
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days 
4 
from the approval of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the DOH, PERI and other 
5 
participating government agencies, shall formulate the implementing rules and 
6 
regulations (IRR) of this Act. 
7 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
8 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect. 
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SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders and rules and 
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regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the OffiCial Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3