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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 8007

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The COVID-19 virus remains to pose a serious threat worldwide and infects
continuously a significant number of people daily, thereby resulting to the surge of the
number of infected individuals daily. As of November 16, 2020, there have been a
confirmed 54.1 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide. In the Philippines alone. there have
already been a confirmed 408,000 total cases. These numbers show how much the entire
world is in need of a weapon to stop the spread of this virus. The most ideal solution to
this threat is the creation of a vaccine against COVID-19.

The world awaits for disease research scientists to discover a vaccine that could
defeat SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A vaccine is a biological
preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.
Vaccines work in such a way that it trains the human immune system to recognize and
combat pathogens which could either be viruses or bacteria. In order for this to happen,
molecules from the pathogen are introduced to the body in order to facilitate a response
from the immune system and produce antibodies. This way, when the bacteria or virus
re-appears and affects a human body, the immune system will be able to recognize this
antigen and attack the same.

While vaccines would normally take 10-15 years to be developed with the vaccine
for mumps being the fastest at four (4) years in the 1960s, with the technology that the
world has wide access to and the amount of effort that is being exerted by scientists
worldwide, optimistically speaking a safe and effective vaccine may be developed by mid-
2021. Still, the problem does not end upon the creation of a vaccine. Worldwide access
is also an issue that should be given much attention.


The World Health Organization has already created an initial plan for those who
should be given priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine given that it targets to deliver
two billion doses by the end of 2021. After health-care workers, medically vulnerable
groups should be among the first to receive the vaccine. Similarly, people who live in
crowded settings should also be given priority access.

Once available, the Philippines should be ready for the distribution of the vaccine
to the Filipino people. This Bill is intended to give free access to all Filipinos of the COVID-
19 vaccine. The implementation of the efficient and effective delivery of the vaccine is
also a priority set forth in this Bill.

Considering the importance that this Bill centers upon, its passage is earnestly
sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 8007

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC LIVAREZ

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR ALL
FILIPINOS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free COVID-19
Vaccination Act of 2020”.

SECTION 2. Coverage. - Every Filipino in the country shall be entitled to free
access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -To ensure the extensive and efficient
delivery, the Department of Health (DOH) and its attached agencies, in partnership with
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DOLE), shall thereby formulate and
promulgate the pertinent rules and regulations for the implementation of the program
within sixty (60) days upon approval of this Act.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged against current appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such
sums necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act.


SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All acts, executive orders, memorandum
circulars/guidelines and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.