SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. 
304 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Social justice includes the earnest delivery of basic services to the people. As a 
commitment to social justice, our Philippine Constitution provides, among others, that the 
State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which 
shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the 
people and that priority will be extended, among others, to the underprivileged and children 
(Section 11, Article 13, 1987 Constitution). 
The attached bill suggests a comprehensive free vaccination and immunization program for 
Filipino infants and children. Such initiative is essential considering that a considerable 
number of infants annually remain unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable illnesses, 
like measles, neonatal tetanus, polio and hepatitis B. 
Further, this bill mandates the 
Department of Health and all other medical or health institutions to conduct and make 
available immunization and vaccination at a faster frequency and access or on weekly 
basis. 
The following factual information deserves attention and rationalizes why this 
legislation deserves consideration: 
1. 
Vaccination for measles is needed as the disease kills. Every infant needs to 
be vaccinated against measles at the age of nine (9) months or as soon as 
possible after nine (9) months as part of routine infant vaccination schedule. 
2. An early Hepatitis 8 vaccine reduces the chance of being infected and becoming 
a carrier. It prevents liver cirrhosis which is more likely to develop if infected 
with Hepatitis 8 early in life. Likewise, the statistics indicate that about 9,000 
infants die of complication of Hepa 8 yearly. 
3. 
OPT. vaccinations are needed for the reduction of severe pertUSSiS sickness 
among children. 
I therefore recommend the immediate enactment of this bill. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
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JlIL -2 1\9 :'51 \ 
SENATE 
S. B. 
304 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL 
PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH, THROUGH 
THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE VACCINATION AND 
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS AND CHILDREN, 
APPROPRIATING FUND THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. 
Declaration of Policy. The citizen's right to health is a fundamental 
2 
guarantee enshrined in our Constitution. Thus, it is a declared policy that "the State 
3 
shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
4 
consciousness among them." 
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Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have become 
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expensive and have not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby declared that the 
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same should be made available for free administration and comprehensively adopted as 
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a program of social justice. 
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Sec. 2. 
Comprehensive and Mandatory Vaccination. - The Department of 
13 
Health, through all government hospitals, its satellite offices, accredited government 
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clinics and medical institutions, shall provide for free the following vaccinations and 
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immunizations for infants and children: 
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(a) 
Hepatitis B; 
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(b.) 
OPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough); 
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(c) 
H. Influenza type B; 
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(d) 
Polio; 
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(e) 
Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis); 
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(f) 
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles); 
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(g) 
Varicella (chicken pox); 
30 
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Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by parents on account of religious 
belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical reasons and which 
is certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other valid reason that may be 
advanced by the parents or guardians of the infant or child, as necessary. Provided, 
further, that a certain day of the week must be devoted for immunization and 
vaccination in the health centers of all local government unit. 
Sec. 3. Implementing rules and regulations. -
The Department of Health ,in 
consultation with the national association of pediatrics and recognized experts of the 
private sector, non-governmental organizations and peoples' organizations and 
academe on child health and care, children's rights and parental guidance, shall issue 
the relevant rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) 
annually to implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free 
immunization and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in the 
budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act. 
, 
One percent (1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and controlled 
corporations shall be collected and shall form part of the fund that may be used for the 
purpose of this Act. 
Sec. 5. 
Separability Clause. -
If for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
Sec. 6. 
Repealing Clause" - All executive issuances, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 7. 
Effectivity Date. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,