‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No.__ 3902

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the 1987 Constitution, it specifically provides that “The State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them.” (Section 15, Article I!)

Congenital heart disease (CHD), afflicts a large number of children every
year. According to statistics, the incidence of congenital heart disease at birth is 8
per 1,000 live births. Of the approximately 130 million babies born in the world every
year, there are more than one million born with CHDs.

In one study, it stated that ‘It is one thing to know the actual incidence of CHD
worldwide and try to establish an idea of the incidence of some specific lesions, but
an understanding of the complex challenge posed by CHD would not be complete
without having an appreciation of the variations in care provided across the globe.
Medical and surgical care of CHD is very resource intensive. Indeed, it is often
complex to make an accurate diagnosis and to do so, costly diagnostic modalities
are required in addition to highly trained medical specialists. The surgical treatment
of CHD also requires significant resources, complex infrastructures and equipment,
and highly skilled professionals."

Congenital heart defect-related deaths are caused by late detection, lack of
heart donors, and failure of medical intervention which may be due to poverty.
Hence, it requires more funding and more research in order to discover further
surgical options and to accurately describe its origin, physical signs and symptoms.

This bill aims to officially recognize the need for awareness of congenital heart
defect so that early diagnosis and intervention become a top priority.

a ea

MARK A. VILLAR

* The Challenge of Congenital Heart Disease Worldwide: Epidemiologic and Demographic Facts
Pierre-Luc Bernier, Ada Stefanescu, Gordan Samoukovic, and Christo |. Tchervenkov


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

First Regular Session ij
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO. $802

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A DAY FOR HEARTS:
CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS DAY

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "A Day for
Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day Act".

SECTION 2. Throughout Philippines, in each and every year, the fourteenth
day of February shall be known as "A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect
Awareness Day"

SECTION 3, The Department of Health (DOH) shall urge all citizens to
recognize "A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day" and shall
hold programs and activities in observance of the event.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH shall
promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its approval.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved