Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7449

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Rodolfo C. Farifias and Karlo Alexei B.
Nograles

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2016, around 800,000 children were administered with dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in the
hopes of eradicating, if not reducing, the dengue incidents in the country. Later, however, the
World Health Organizaton released a report finding that Dengvaxia may be ineffective or may
even increase the risk in those who are seronegative, or those who have not yet been infected
with dengue, at the time of first vaccinate.’

In recent months, various reports on deaths possibly caused by the vaccine have been
publicized, resulting in mass hysteria and public outcry for accountability. As of date,
investigations have been conducted trying to determine whether or not the vaccine caused the
deaths of several children who were vaccinated.

With the apparent health crisis, the Department of Health suspended the administration of
Dengvaxia. On demand of the Government, Zuellig Pharma, the Local distributor of the
Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, refunded the amount of around P1.16 Billion covering
the unused vials of Dengvaxia vaccines.

This bill seeks to appropriate the said amount to fund the much needed support to the vaccines
by providing them with medical assistance for hospitalization, medical kits, out-patient care
services, including laboratory tests, among others. This is to allay the fears of the public on the
purported effects of Dengvaxia and to prevent further deaths and illnesses of those
administered with the vaccine, regardless of cause.

To reiterate, regardless of the cause of these deaths and illnesses, it is incumbent upon the
State to intervene by providing assistance to those who were administered with the vaccine.
This is in line with the State's policy or protecting and promoting the right to health of the
people.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this Sup, udget is egfnestly
sought.
/— ‘ae
ILFO C. FARINAS PANTALEON D. (AREZ
Majority Leader Speaker

KARLO‘ALEXE! B. NOGRALES
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations

1 Dengue vaccine: WHO position paper - July 2016, available at
9 1= (last accessed on March 21, 2018).

21987 Constitution, Art. II, Sec. 15.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._ 2449

Introduced by Representatives Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Rodolfo C. Farifias and Karlo Alexei B.
Nograles

AN ACT
APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF ONE BILLION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P1,161,710,000) AS
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY 2018 AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Appropriations. ~The sum of One Billion One Hundred Sixty One Million
Seven Hundred Ten Thousand Pesos (P1,161,710,000) is hereby appropriated out of any
funds in the National Treasury of the Philippines not otherwise appropriated, as supplemental
appropriations for the FY 2018 Budget.

SECTION 2. Assistance to Dengvaxia Vaccinees. The sum of One Billion One Hundred
Sixty One Million Seven Hundred Ten Thousand Pesos (P1,161,710,000) is hereby
appropriated to fund the assistance to the Dengvaxia vaccinees, which amount shall be used
exclusively for the following activities and/or projects, namely: (a) Human Resource for
Health (HRH) Deployment; (b) Public Health Management; and (c) Assistance to Indigent
Patients either Confined or Out-Patient in Government Hospitals/ Specialty Hospitals / LGU
Hospitals / Philippine General Hospital / West Visayas State University Hospital.

SECTION 3. Use and Release of Funds. ~ The amount appropriated shall be released by the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of Health (DOH) in
accordance with budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations. The DOH
shall issue the guidelines necessary for the proper implementation of the foregoing activities
and/or projects for the benefit of Dengvaxia vaccinees.

SECTION 4. Applicability of General and Special Provisions in the FY 2018 General
Appropriations Act. ~The amounts herein appropriated shall be used for the purposes
indicated and subject to the relevant special and general provisions under Republic Act 10964
or the FY 2018 GAA.

SECTION 5. Availability of Appropriations. — The appropriations authorized in this Act shall
be available for release and obligation for the purposes specified from the date of the
effectivity of this Act until December 31, 2018

SECTION 6. Transparency Provisions. The DOH shall ensure that the details of activities
and/or projects are included as part of the information posted on their transparency seals


required under Section 99 of the General Provisions under Republic Act 10964 or the FY
2018 GAA.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this
Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication.

Approved,