Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
REQUIRING ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO CREATE AND 
MAINTAIN THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our educational institutions play a vital role in ensuring the overall 
well-being of the students. Recognizing this crucial role in creating safer 
spaces for children all around the world, the UNICEF, in 2009, launched the 
Child-friendly Schools Manual1. Included in this manual is a provision on 
the children’s right to learn in safe, healthy environments. 
The manual includes a reiteration of Article 24 of the Convention on 
the Rights of the Child which declares that governments should take 
appropriate measures to ensure the provision of necessary medical 
assistance and health care to all children, to combat disease and 
malnutrition, and to ensure that parents and children are informed, have 
access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child 
health and nutrition. 
One key feature of child-friendly schools is the ability to track and 
assess individual students in terms of inclusion, health, development, 
protection, learning barriers, learning achievement and special needs. Thus, 
it is of utmost importance that these schools monitor and evaluate not only 
the academic activity of their students but also their health and total well-
being. 
1 Child-friendly Schools Manual Issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund.
https://www.unicef.org/documents/child-friendly-schools-manual 
July 5, 2021
8:01 am
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As a step in guaranteeing that this duty is met by our schools, this 
bill2 seeks to require all elementary and secondary schools, both public and 
private, to keep and maintain a database of medical and dental records of 
their students. Through this, we are not only ensuring that our schools 
become child-friendly but we are also enabling them to aid the family and 
community in monitoring and maintaining the good health and well-being of 
the children. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
ALFRED VARGAS 
2 The constituent panel on Public Health proposed this policy when this representation conducted the
consultative program. Lehislatibong Ugnayan ng Kongreso at mga Simbahan (LUKAS) 


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
REQUIRING ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO CREATE AND 
MAINTAIN THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Students’ Health and 
Well-Being Records Act”. 
SECTION 2. Medical and Dental Records Requirement. – All 
elementary and secondary schools, public or private, shall be required to 
have a database of their students medical and dental records upon the 
student’s entrance in such schools and upon his or her entry into the 
grades prescribed by the Secretary of Health in regulations, provided that 
such regulations shall require that the records be updated at least twice 
during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An 
examination and health history of any child may be required by the local 
school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the 
educational interests of such child. The medical and dental records shall 
be attached in a file that contains the student’s academic records. 
SECTION 3. Valid Issuers of Medical and Dental Certificates. – Each 
certificate in the medical and dental records shall be signed by a duly 
licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, in case of the 
medical certificate and a dentist in case of the dental certificate, who is 
authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was 
given, provided that the Secretary of Health has determined that such 
jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of 
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the Philippines. 
 
SECTION 4. When Examination Should Be Made. – Such certificate shall 
describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, 
which shall not be more than twelve (12) months prior to the 
commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, and 
shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health to permit his 
or her attendance at the public or private schools. 
SECTION 5. Source of the Medical and Dental Records. – The 
student has the choice of submitting to the school his medical and 
dental certificate which came from a legitimate source as prescribed in 
the preceding sections or be examined by the medical practitioner 
assigned in the school where he is to be enrolled. If such student does 
not present a health certificate as required in the section, unless he or 
she has been accommodated on religious grounds, the principal or the 
principal's designee shall serve a notice to the parents or guardian 
requiring the physical and dental examination. 
SECTION 6. Respect for Religious Beliefs. – Notwithstanding the 
provisions of this Act, no examinations for a medical or dental certificate or 
medical or dental history shall be required where a student of the parent or 
person in parental relation to such student objects thereto on the grounds 
that such examinations or health history may conflict with their genuine 
and sincere religious beliefs. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and 
effectivity of the other provisions hereof. 
SECTION 8. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive order or rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation 
Approved,