Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session -

1487

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag

AN ACT CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN
THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health of the
people and to undertake appropriate health human resource development responsive to the
country's needs and problems.

Throughout the years, our country has made gains in ensuring the promotion and
protection of our people’s health; however, several gaps remain, including the lack of an
institutional means of promoting and ensuring the dental health of every Filipino. Almost
entire communities in the country suffer from two of the most prevalent of dental diseases:
tooth decay and gum diseases. With more than 92% of Filipinos recorded to be suffering
from tooth decay or cavities, while more than 78% have gum diseases, we must find ways to
immediately address this concern.

This proposed bill aims to reverse this situation by creating a dental unit in each of the
rural health units (RHUs) listed under the Department of Health as part of the country’s
overall Primary Health Care strategy. By ensuring, through legislation, that each RHU under
the DOH has at least one dentist serving the priority targets of dental health services, Filipino
citizens will greatly benefit from early detection, prevention, and treatment of dental health
issues, giving our people more reasons to smile.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MA. RENE ANN LOURDES G. MATIBAG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1487
Introduced by Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag

AN ACT CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN
THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State:

a) To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health
services and to undertake the appropriate health human resource development
for this policy; and

b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of the
Primary Health Care Strategy.

Section 2. Definition of Terms. —

a) “Rural Health Unit” — also known as Main Health Center. It is composed
of a doctor, a nurse and a midwife. Its function is to carry out the public health
functions of the Department of Health which includes both preventive and
curative health care.

b) “Dental Unit” — composed of a public health dentist and a trained
Barangay Health Worker as a dental aide, including the necessary dental
equipment.

Section 3. Creation of Dental Unit. — As part of the Primary Health Care Approach,
there is hereby created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the
Department of Health.

Section 4. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Health shall issue rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this


Act shall be funded from the current fiscal year’s appropriation for the Department of Health.
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 6. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
in the Official Gazette and in any newspaper of general circulation.

‘Approved,