, ,< 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SEN~W75 
S.No. ___ _ 
) 
) 
) 
, ,. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'senate 
"If.;~ pf tlj •. ~mrl ... 
15 428 "3:41 
TO REQUIRE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
TO HAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution in Article 2, Section 13 provides that: 
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in 
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, 
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth 
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and 
civic affairs. 
The importance of medical and dental records cannot be overemphasized. These 
records serve as the basis for treatment and diagnosis of patients. In extreme cases, these 
records can be used to identifY persons who are burned beyond recognition. Even our 
Labor Code in its Implementing Rules, Section 10 (b) provides that the employer shall 
maintain a record of all medical examinations, treatments and medical activities given to 
its employees. 
In the Philippines, we do not have a system of keeping track of our people's 
medical and dental records. Since majority of our people go to elementary and secondary 
schools, whether private or public, our schools can serve as the database collection center 
for medical and dental records. This bill aims to address the problem of the absence of 
sources of medical and dental records of our people.! 
I This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress First Regular Session. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2875 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
15 Jl. 28 1t3;41 
RECEIVE!) I&Y:~ 
TO REQUIRE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
TO HAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Medical and Dental Records Requirement. - All elementary and 
2 
secondary schools, public or private, shall be required to have a database of their students 
3 
medical and dental records upon the student's entrance in such schools and upon his or 
4 
her entry into the grades prescribed by the Secretary of Health in regulations, provided 
5 
that such regulations shall require that the records be updated at least twice during the 
6 
elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history 
7 
of any child may be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion 
8 
to promote the educational interests of such child. The medical and dental records shall 
9 
be attached in a file that contains the student's academic records. 
10 
SECTION 2. Valid Issuers of Medical and Dental Certificates. - Each certificate 
11 
in the medical and dental records shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician 
12 
assistant, or nurse practitioner, in case of the medical certificate and a dentist in case of 
13 
the dental certificate, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the 
14 
examination was given, provided that the Secretary of Health has determined that such 
15 
jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of the 
16 
Philippines. 
1 


1 
SECTION 3. When Examination Should be Made. - Each such certificate shall 
2 
describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be 
3 
more than twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the 
4 
examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health 
5 
to permit his or her attendance at the public or private schools. 
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SECTION 4. Source of the Medical and Dental Records. - The student has the 
7 
choice of submitting to the school his medical and dental certificate which came from a 
8 
legitimate source as prescribed in the preceding sections or be examined by the medical 
9 
practitioner assigned in the school where he is to be enrolled. If such student does not 
10 
present a health certificate as required in this section, unless he or she has been 
11 
accommodated on religious grounds, the principal or the principal's designee shall cause 
12 
a notice to be sent to the parents or person in parental relationship to such student that an 
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examination will be made of such student, as provided in this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Respect for Religious Beliefs. - Notwithstanding the provisions of 
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this Act, no examinations for a medical or dental certificate or medical or dental history 
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shall be required where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to such 
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student objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations or health history conflict 
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with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs. 
19 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
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provisions hereof. 
22 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order or rules and 
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regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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· . 
1 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
2 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
3 
Approved. 
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