Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

598

House Bill No. _

Introduced by REP, MARJORIE ANN A. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide Medical and Dental Services to indigent children from families
who lack the means to pay for their treatments,

As the saying goes, the children are our future, thus, the 1987 Constitution affords them all
kinds of protection - The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost, giving priority to the underprivileged sick, elderly,
disabled and children. Furthermore, they must be given the right to assistance, including proper
care and nutrition, and special protection from all conditions prejudicial to their development,
The State recognizes their importance to nation-building and to their possible contributions for
the socio-economic development of the country.

Unfortunately, children are more susceptible to all kinds of sickness given their
developing immune systems. They require immediate attention and care to bring them back to
health. However, some families do not have access to health care as they do not have the financial
capacity to pay for their medical and dental needs.

In the first semester of 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the poverty
rate in the country has increased by 2.6% from 21.1% to 23.7%, mostly brought by the effects of
the pandemic. This increase, as small as it may be, is still alarming, It is our role not only to
eradicate poverty, but also to aid Indigent families in whatever means we can possibly afford. In
order for these families to prioritize their daily sustenance, this bill aims to extend help to these
families by taking care of their children’s medical and dental needs.


Itis already an everyday burden to worry about what to eat and how to pay next month’s
bills, let alone worry about medical and dental treatments.

In view of the foregoing, this bill is, therefore, earnestly sought.

TEODORO
Representative
First District, Marikina City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

598

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. MARJORIE ANN A. TEODORO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT CHILDREN,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shail be known as the “Free Medical and Dental Services to
Indigent Children Act of 2022"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods,
health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority
for the needs of the children and shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. Further,

the State recognizes the right of children to proper care and nutrition.

SEC. 3. Free Medical and Dental Services. ~ Indigent children who are fifteen (15) years old and
below shall have access to free Medical and Dental Services: Provided, That the family does not

have visible means to cover their medical and dental treatments.


SEC. 4. Creation of Indigent Children Section in Medical Institutions, - Every hospital, medical
centers and other medical institutions must establish an Indigent Children Section for the

accommodation of the free medical and dental services to Indigent Children.

SEC. 5, Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall lead in the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be sourced from the budgets of the DOH and DSWD under their current General Appropriations
‘Act (GAA). Thereafter, such sums necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall

be included in their annual GAA,

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - DOH and DSWD, in consultation with other
government agencies shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60)

days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, presidential decrees or issuances,
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified

accordingly’

SEC. 9, Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same

shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions not affected thereby.

SEC. 10, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,