GEPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE]
Quezon City, Metro Manila

on MINIS

DATE: Se

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'VENTEENTH CONGRESS BY!
First Regular Session it
‘No 763 REGISTRATION U!
House Bill No.7 63 EX SER’
BILLS AND IND!

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay ~ Villar

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

The right to health is a universal right. The right to be protected from virulent-yet-
preventable diseases, should not be limited to the wealthy, particularly for children. But while
science has provided us with the means to inoculate our children from a wide variety of
previously devastating illnesses, these vaccinations are expensive, and many are out of the
reach of many Philippine citizens. This affects not only the children who are unable to be
vaccinated, but decreases the likelihood that the Philippines as a hold can acquire herd
immunity, the general resistance of a community to particular diseases once a large number
of the population has been immunized,

This bill, substantially re-filing House Bill No. 1960 of the 16th Congress, filed by
Rep. Harlin Cast. Abayon, seeks to help actualize the universal right to health by assuring

that the most basic and essential of vaccinations are provided for all children and infants, free
of charge.

Ameen # Kattan
EMMELINE Y. AGLIPAY — VILLAR
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9°
House Bill No, 763

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — 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, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. The citizen's right to health is a fundamental guarantee ensconced in the
supreme law, it is a declared policy thus that "[t]he State shall protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have become expensive
and has not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby declared that the same should be
made available for free, as a program of social justice.

SECTION 2. The Department of Health through all government hospitals. its satellite
offices, accredited government clinics and medical institutions shall provide for free the
following vaccination and immunizations for infants and children:

a, Hepatitis B;

b. DPT — diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough);
c. H. influenza type b;

4d, Polio (salk injected);

¢, Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis)

£. Measles, Mumps, Rubelia (German measles);

g. Varicella (chicken pox)

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Provided, that a certain day of the week must be devoted for immunization and
vaccination in all local government unit health centers.

SECTION 3. The Department of Health in consultation with the national association
of pediatrics and recognized experts of the private sector, nongovernmental 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.

SECTION 4. The amount of One Billion Pesos (P_1,000,000,000.00) 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 to form part of the fund that may be used for the purpose.

SECTION 5. 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.

SECTION 6. As executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 7. 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,

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