Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Data from the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI) as of 2017 showed that one in 
20 preschoolers’ and one in 4 school-aged children experienced eye problems. Over 
10% of Filipino children were also expected to have "visual acuity" issues or problems 
with their vision. This number is expected to rise with the distance learning set-up in 
place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
This proposed measure seeks to complement Republic Act No. 11358, otherwise 
known as the National Vision Screening Act that was enacted in July 2019. This 
measure aims to provide comprehensive eye examinations for children already 
identified at high risk of vision impairment.  
In view of the foregoing the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
May 24, 2023
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE EYE 
EXAMINATIONS TO CHILDREN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Children's Vision 
Improvement and Learning Readiness Act".  
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms and 
phrases shall mean as follows:   
A.
Secretary - means Secretary of Health;
B.
Comprehensive eye examination - means an assessment of a patient's 
history, general medical observation, external and ophthalmoscopic 
examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment and motility, refraction, and as 
appropriate, binocular vision or gross visual fields, performed by an 
optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
SECTION 3. Grants Regarding Comprehensive Eye Examinations for Children. 
–  
A) 
In General - The Secretary may make grants to cities and municipalities for 
the purpose of:
1) 
Providing comprehensive eye examinations for children identified or 
considered at high risk of vision impairment, with priority given to 
school-based programs for children who are under the age of nine (9);
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2)  Providing subsequent treatment or services necessary to correct vision 
problems; and 
3)  Developing and disseminating, to parents, teachers, health care 
practitioners, and the public, educational materials on recognizing signs 
of visual Impairment in children, and the State's vision improvement 
initiatives. 
 
B)  Criteria and Coordination. 
1) Criteria. - The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate professional and 
consumer organizations including individuals with knowledge of 
age-appropriate vision services, shall develop criteria - 
a)  Governing the operation of the grant program; and 
b)  For the collection of data related to vision assessment and the 
utilization of follow up services. 
 
C)   Application. - A grant may be made under Paragraph (A) only if an application 
for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, 
made in such manner, and contains such information as the Secretary may 
require. Including: 
1)   Information on existing government-funded children's vision screening 
programs;  
2)   a plan for the use of grant funds, including how funds will be used to 
complement existing country's efforts;  
3)   a plan to determine If a grant eligible child has received an 
age-appropriate vision screening; and 
4)   a description of how funds will be used to provide items or services only 
as a secondary payer to - 
a)   any government compensation program, under an insurance 
policy, or under any government health benefits program; or 
b)   by any entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis. 
 
D)   Evaluations. - A grant may be made under paragraph (A) only if the 
municipality involved agrees that, not later than one (1) year after the date on 
which amounts under the grant are first received by the municipality, and 


 
 
annually thereafter while receiving amounts under the grant, the municipality 
will submit to the Secretary an evaluation of the operations and activities 
carried out under the grant, including: 
1)   An assessment of the utilization of vision services and the status of 
children receiving these services as a result of the activities carried out 
under the grant; 
2)   The collection, analysis, and reporting of children's vision data 
according to guidelines prescribed by the Secretary; and 
3)   Such other information as the Secretary may require. 
 
SECTION 4. Authorization of Appropriations. – For the purpose of carrying out this 
Act, such sums as may be deemed appropriate by the Secretary are hereby 
authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.  
 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall 
continue to be in full force and effect.   
 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly.   
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,