FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m5 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A number of hospitals and clinics refuse admission of street children, even if 
these children require immediate medical or dental attention. Their reason: these 
children do not have sufficient financial resources to pay the initial "deposit" required by 
the medical institution. 
Article XV Section 3 (3) of the 1987 Constitution declares that "the State shall 
defend the right of the children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition and 
special protection from all forms of neglect and abuse, cruelty, exploitation, other 
conditions prejudicial to their development." 
This is amplified by PD 603, the Child and Youth Welfare Code, as amended, 
wherein Article 3 [4] provides that: "Every child has the right to a balanced diet, 
adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper medical attention and all the basic physical 
requirements of a healthy and vigorous life." 
The evolving national legislative agenda for children gives Congress the task to 
lead the way in eradicating corrupt practices such as denying admission of street 
children to hospitals or clinics. This bill requires both public and private hospitals and 
clinics to extend free medical and dental services to indigent children, which includes 
but is not necessarily limited to street children, and provides penalties for violations 
thereof. 
By virtue of the doctrine of parens patriae, indigent children who have been 
neglected by their parents are the wards of the State. Congress should therefore take 
every step necessary to see to it that they live healthy lives inspite of their impoverished 
condition. 
In view of the paramount need to extend vital health services to indigent children, 
passage of this bill is earnestly urged. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. __ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS, MEDICAL CENTERS, 
CLINICS, INFIRMARIES, PUERICULTURE CENTERS TO EXTEND FREE MEDICAL 
AND DENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT CHILDREN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. All government and private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, 
infirmaries or puericulture centers duly licensed to operate as such, are hereby required 
to render medical and dental services to the indigent children, regardless of whether or 
not they are in danger of dying andlor may have suffered physical injuries requiring 
immediate medical attention. 
For the purpose of this Act, an “indigent child” is a child below eighteen (18) 
years of age who has health problems requiring medical and dental services for his 
care and treatment, taking into account the following factors: 
a. the age of the child; 
b. 
c. the degree of deprivation of parental care and support; and 
d. the inability of his parents to exercise parental authority. 
the financial condition of the family; 
SECTION 2. 
The expenses and losses of earnings incurred by a private 
hospital, medical center, clinic, infirmary, or puericulture center; or by an individual 
physician or dentist for medicine, facilities, and services extended to the care and 
treatment of an indigent child as required herein in an amount not exceeding 
P300,OOO.OO per year, shall be deductible expenses and losses for income tax 
purposes which may be carried over for a period of five years, any provision of law, 
decree, executive order or regulation to the contrary not withstanding. 
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SECTION 3. Any hospital director, administrator, officer-in-charge, physician, or 
dentist in a hospital, medical center, clinic, infirmary, or puericulture center who shall 
refuse or fail without good cause to render the appropriate medical center or dental 
service pursuant to Section One of this Act, after said case has been brought to hidher 
attention, or any nurse, mid-wife, medical or dental attendant who shall refuse to extend 
the appropriate assistance, subject to existing rules, or neglects to notify or call the 
attention of the physician or dentist in attendance, shall be punished with imprisonment 
of at least one (1) year, but not more than five (5) years, or a fine of Ten thousand 
pesos (Pl5,000.00), but not more than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00), or both 
fine and imprisonment at the sound of discretion of the Court. 
In the case of government hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or 
puericulture centers, the imposition of the appropriate penalties upon the person or 
persons guilty of the violation of this Act shall be without prejudice to the administrative 
action that may be proper. 
In the case of private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, infirmaries, or 
puericulture centers, the license to operate shall be suspended or revoked. 
SECTION 4. The Department of Health in coordination with the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development shall have the authority to promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 5. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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