FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 999 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 13, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall establish 
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country's 
health needs and problems. 
One of the areas which needs a comprehensive research is the disease on diphtheria. 
Diphtheria is a contagious, airborne, toxin-producing infection caused by C-diphtheriae. It is 
characterized by the formation of a gray resistant pseudo-membrane in the lining of the mucous 
membrane of the upper respiratory tract as well as in the tonsils. Certain forms of the disease 
may be fatal. The global mortality rate for diphtheria is 5 to 10% and may reach 20% among 
children under age five and adults over 40. 
The organism is transmitted from person to person through exposure to respiratory 
secretions or fluid from infected skin. The incubation period ranges from one to six days. In 
respiratory tract infections, the mairl symptoms are sore throat and fever, sometimes 
accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, and swelling of the neck. A distinctive grayish 
membrane, which is particularly characteristic of diphtheria, may develop in the throat or other 
areas of the oral cavity and may obstruct breathing. Other complications may include nerve 
weakness (neuropathy), inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), or pneumonia. 
Diphtheria is an infectious disease spreading from person to person by respiratory 
droplets from the throat through coughing and sneezing. The disease normally breaks out 2 to 5 
days after infection. Diphtheria usually affects the tonsils, pharynx, larynx and occasionally the 
skin. The disease can be fatal- between 5% and 10% of diphtheria patients die, even if properly 
treated. Untreated, the disease claims even more lives. 
High-risk countries for diphtheria include Algeria, Egypt, most countries in sub-Saharan 
Africa, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, 
Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, 
Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Yemen, Albania, and all countries of the former Soviet Union. 
This proposed measure seeks' to provide and comprehensive program for health 
research on diphtheria disease in the country and provide and national comprehensive 
information and education drive to inform the general public of the nature and mode of infection 
of the disease. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is eamestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
• 
S. No. 999 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
·i [j 
JUL -8 P 1 :3!!J 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
HOLISTIC 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM 
ON 
DIPHTHERIA 
DISEASE, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE 
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 "Diphtheria 
Research and Development Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. -
It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people to full, healthy and holistic 
development and the right to self-determination. As such, the State shall promote an 
environment conducive to the development of all its citizens to become, to the best of 
their potentials, independent, self-reliant and productive members of society. 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the establishment of institutional 
mechanisms to provide quantitative and qualitative research on diphtheria that is 
responsive to the country's health needs. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
(a) 
"Committee" refers to the Committee on Diphtheria Research. 
(b) 
"Diphtheria" is a contagious, airborne, toxin-producing infection caused by 
C-diphtheriae. It is characterized by the formation of a gray resistant pseudo-membrane 
in the lining of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract as well as in the 
tonsils. Diphtheria is an infection of the respiratory tract or skin caused by a bacterium 
known as Corynebacterium Diphtheriae. The organism is transmitted from person to 
person through exposure to respiratory secretions or fluid from infected skin. The 
incubation period ranges from one to six days. In respiratory tract infections, the main 
symptoms are sore throat and fever, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, 
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headache, and swelling of the neck. A distinctive grayish membrane, which is 
particularly characteristic of diphtheria, may develop in the throat or other areas of the 
oral cavity and may obstruct breathing. 
(c) 
"Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
SEC. 4. 
Comprehensive Research on Diphtheria Disease. -
The 
Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to conduct a 
comprehensive research and infor,mation drive on incidence and prevalence of 
diphtheria disease in the country, The Department is also mandated to support medical 
and epidemiological research activities to expand the knowledge and understanding of 
diphtheria disease in the country. 
The DOH is mandated to strenthen its research focus concerning diphtheria, 
including a renewed investment into basic and clinical research, expanded research into 
the link between environmental factors and the disease, and continued investigations 
• 
into causation, diagnosis, early detection and treatment for diphtheria disease. Such 
factors that will be studied shall also include, among others, infection and immune 
function, hormones and reproductive factors, genetic factors, gastro-intestinal factors, 
socio-demographic factors, and others. 
SEC. 5. 
Committee on Diphtheria Research. - To assist the Secretary in 
receiving accurate and complete information about diphtheria, its symptoms, origin, 
classification, prevention and treatment, there is hereby established a Committee, to be 
known as the Committee on Diphtheria Disease, to ensure the strategic management, 
communication, and oversight of the policy formation, research, and activities of the 
government regarding the disease. 
The objectives of the Committee on Diphtheria Research shall endeavor to: 
a) 
to promote public awareness, education and information on issues 
concerning diphtheria; 
b) 
to establish sustainable networks of support group for families of afflicted 
persons; 
c) 
to provide referral services to patients with diphtheria and identify the 
appropriate educational and medical expertise and facilities suited to the needs of the 
patient; 
d) 
to combat the spectrum of medical problems related to diphtheria through 
screening, education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services; 
e) 
to undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research 
activities regarding the prevalence of the disease in the Philippines; 
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f) 
to receive donations and grants from international donor institutions, 
foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in research, 
prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with diphtheria; 
g) 
to provide the avenue for exchange of information, exchange programs 
and sharing of best practices on issues relating to the early detection, prevention, cure, 
treatment and rehabilitation of afflicted patients; and 
h) 
to ensure that materials concerning the disease are available, up to date, 
and responsive to reports of problems with diphtheria, and that timely aggregate data 
concerning such reports shall be made available to the public upon request and 
consistent with existing confidentiality standards. 
SEC. 6. 
Composition. - The Committee on Diphtheria Research shall be 
composed of the following members: 
(a) 
One (1) representative from the Department of Health (DOH); 
(b) 
One (1) representative rrom the National Institute of Health (NIH); 
(c) 
One (1) representative from the duly accredited drug and vaccine 
manufacturers and distributors; 
(d) 
One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of hospitals in 
the Philippines; 
(e) 
One (1) representative' from the duly accredited association of medical 
doctors in the Philippines; and 
(f) 
One (1) representative from the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 
involved in the advocacy for the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of 
persons with autism. 
The Secretary of the Department of Health shall seat as the Chairperson for the 
Committee on Diphtheria Research .• 
SEC. 7. 
Meetings. - The Committee on Diphtheria Research shall meet at 
least once a month upon a three-day notice Signed by the two (2) Chairpersons or as 
often as necessary upon the written request signed by two-thirds (2/3) of its members. 
The presence of a majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a 
quorum in order for it to conduct its business. 
The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public and public witnesses 
shall be given the opportunity to speak and make presentations at such meetings. 
Each member shall make a presentation to the full Committee at each meeting 
concerning the activities conducted by such member. 
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SEC. 8. 
Early Identification and Intervention for Persons 
with 
Diphtheria Disease. - The DOH is hereby mandated to establish a program for early 
identification, screening and detection of persons with diphtheria disease. 
SEC. 9. 
Prevention of Conflict of Interest in the Research Process. -
Within six (6) month from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall issue the 
necessary standards, guidelines and regulations in order to ensure that there is no 
conflict of interest between the research agenda of the researchers and the drug 
manufacturers or govemment agencies promoting the widespread usage of a particular 
vaccine or medicine for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with diphtheria 
disease. 
The DOH shall ensure the timely publication and dissemination of information of 
these guidelines and regulations in order to ensure that the various health providers and 
stakeholders all over the country are adequately informed. 
SEC. 10. 
Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, the funds 
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual 
general appropriations of the Department of Health (DOH). 
SEC. 11. 
Separability 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 
Repealling Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 13. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
4