SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1 ?6? 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section IS, provides: 
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The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Each year, thousands of poisonings are reported by the Department of Health. More than 
eighty-five percent (85%) of these poisonings happen in the home, while majority of poisoning 
victims are children younger than six (6) years of age. 
These poisonings would have been prevented if people have access to emergency medical 
services and efficient health care services. Unfortunately, the public cannot afford the high cost 
of medical and health care services, which private entities provide. 
Hence, this bill seeks to provide assistance for poison prevention and to estaplish" 
government-funded pollution control centers that will produce life-saving and cost-effective 
public health services.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thhteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
. SENA.T.f 
S.No. 
1767 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR POISON PREVENTION 
AND TO ESTABLISH POISON CONTROL CENTERS 
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Be it enacted by Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be cited as the "Poison Control Center 
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Enhancement and Awareness Act." 
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SECTION 2. Establishment of Nationwide Media Campaign. -
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(A) 
In General. - The Secretary of Health shall establish a national media campaign 
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to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention and the availability of 
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poison control resources in local communities. 
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(B) 
Contract with Entity. - The Secretary may carry o)1t paragraph (A) by entering 
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into contracts with one (1) or more nationally recognized media firms for the development and 
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distribution of monthly television, radio, and newspaper public service announcements. 
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SECTION 3. Establishment of Poison Control Centers. -
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(A) 
Regional Poison Control Centers. - The Secretary shall establish regional poison 
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control centers for the purpose of providing the public with access to poisoning prevention and 
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treatment. The regional poison control centers shall be attached centers of the regional offices of 
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the Department of Health. 
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(B) 
Programs. -
The Secretary, through the established regional poison control 
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centers, shall -
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(1) Develop standard patient managerhent protocols for commonly encountered 
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toxic exposures; 
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(2) Improve and expand the poison control data collection system; 
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(3) Improve national toxic exposure surveillance; and 
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(4) Develop physician/medical toxicologist supervision of poison control centers. 
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SECTION 4. Funding. - There is authorized such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
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the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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Section 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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