Republic of the Philippi
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session
207

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROMOTING ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to Article XIII, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution:

"The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and drug
regulatory system and undertake appropriate health, manpower

development, and research, responsive to the country's health needs and
problems."

The issue of organ donation has been the subject of heated debates
amongst health advocates and pragmatists. The main reason this is so is the
absence of an effective information campaign as to its relevance given the many
developments in the realm of health. The DOH, in an attempt to diffuse the
tension between opposing views, came up with Administrative Order 2008-0004
which is the "Revised National Policy on Kidney Transplantation from Living Non-
Related Organ Donor and Its Implementing Structures" and its amendatory A.O.
but it gave rise to more extensive discussions on the ethics of kidney
transplantation. Much of the contention concentrated on the rampant sale of
kidneys, especially among the poor.

This unabated practice among our poor manifests that very few Filipinos
understand the importance of organ donation. This proposed legislation seeks to
correct this by increasing awareness on organ donation by encouraging


instruction in this subject in secondary high school health classes. Encouraging
this topic to be addressed and discussed in high school health classes, will
ensure young Filipinos to be properly educated about organ donation and its
benefits. Moreover, they will be made aware on the downside of improper and
unethical organ donations in the hopes of suppressing it and in the long run,
accepting organ donation as an effective means of saving more lives.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure
is eamestly requested

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL/ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur ‘cond District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
: First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROMOTING ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS,

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

SECTION 1, Health Education Regarding Organ Donation Awareness. —
Secondary Schools shall provide, as part of Health Education, instruction
designed to promote awareness and to dispel the myths and misconceptions
related to organ donation. This instruction shall be part of the health education
course in the secondary schools curriculum. Any such course shall be taught by
teachers specializing in health or science education

SECTION 2. Coordination. - The Secretary of Education shall coordinate
with the Secretary of Health in drafting the rules and regulation regarding the
content of the organ donation awareness curriculum.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any provision of this
Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.


SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shalll take effect after fifteen
(15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,