Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEHNTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House`in:No.   52£3
Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING FREE MEDICAL AND HOSPITALIZATION BENEFITS TO
INDIGENT FILIPINO WOMEN SUFFERING FROM DISEASES, ILLNESSES AND
INJURIES AS A RESULT 0F VIOLENCE INFLICTED ON THEM, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is a fact that Filipino women tend to give priority to the needs of their families that
they can even sacrifice their own health and well-being. But, women's health and welfare is
of paramount importance considering that women constitute half of our country's population
and  women's  health  and  well-being  affect  the  health  of the  next  generation.  A  look  at
women's health situation in the areas of nutrition, matemal, childbearing/ reproductive and
other health concerns indicate that much remains to be done.
This bill seeks to grant free medical and hospitalization benefits to indigent
Filipino women suffering from women's diseases, illnesses and injuries due to violence and
abuses thin the establishment of a special ward in provincial and district hospitals which are
capable of providing major clinical services.
Granting free medical treatment and hospitalization benefits to indigent women is in
consonance with the Constitutional provisions that recognizes the need for such facilities and
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in
the service of the nation.
Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
Onyrwhcdqutap
CAMILLE A. VILLAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
H.use`iil-lie..   52 43
Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING FREE MEDICAL AND HoSPITALlzATloN Bnl`mFITS To
INDIGENT FILIPINO WOMEN SUFFERING FROM DISEASES, ILLNESSES AND
INJURIES AS A RESULT OF VIOLENCE INFLICTED 0N THEM, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it  en??te3  by  the  Senate  and  House  Of  Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. This Act shall be known as the "Women's Medical and Hospitalization
Benefits Act. "
SECTION 2.  Free medical and hospitalization benefits  shall  be  granted to  indigent
Filipino women suffering from women's diseases, such as cancer a/the reproductive organ,
cancer of the  breast  and  pregnancy-related  diseases;  illnesses  and  injuries  due  to  violence
inflicted on women. For this purpose, a special ward shall be established in all provincial and
district hospitals.
SECTION  3.  An  indigent  woman  patient  seeking  to  avail  of the  benefits  herein
provided shall secure a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development
attesting that she is indigent and suffering from any of the abovementioned diseases, illnesses
or injuries. For the purpose of this act, indigent patients shall include the employed and those
whose monthly gross income does not exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).
SECTION  4.  The  Department  of Health,  in  coordination  with  the  Department  of
Social Welfare and Development, shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SECTION  5.  The  amount  necessary  for  the  implementation  of this  Act  shall  be
charged  to  the  appropriations  of  the  Department  of  Health  under  the  current  General
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount necessary for the continued implementation of
this Act shall be included the annual budget of the local governments concerned.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved'
1