EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2297
RECEIVED
FILED
SILLS
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines, as a state party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 
recognizes the Right to Health as a fundamental human right. The Philippine 
Constitution also provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health 
of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Moreover, it Is also the 
duty of the State to 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 at affordable cost.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic exhibited the many vulnerabilities of Filipinos, 
the biggest being our overall health and wellness as the disease resulted in the deaths 
of thousands - with most of them having various pre-existing conditions and 
cbmorbidities. What is unfortunate is that many of these conditions and comorbidities, 
such as coronary heart diseases or diabetes, could have been adequately addressed 
if these were screened early.
The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) 
attributed this to the "poor health-seeking behavior" of Filipinos. In fact, according to 
a 2018 study by Dayrit, Lagrada, et al. published by the WHO, "care-seeking behavior 
among Filipinos is largely dictated by the ability to pay (household income) and, 
because of financial constraints especially among the poor, care-seeking is often
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delayed. [...] Until the condition becomes serious, the patient may opt for self-care or 
take alternative remedies, including traditional healing."
Hence, as Filipinos have become more cognizant of the importance of taking 
care of one's health and wellness and as our government continues to resolve the 
current health crisis on top of rolling out an efficient and equitable Universal Health 
Care as provided under Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, there 
is a need to provide another opportunity for Filipinos to be able to access preventive 
care without incurring additional financial burden. Through this measure, which is a 
counterpart version of HB 4093 by Rep. Michael Defensor of ANAKalusugan Partylist, 
Filipinos - who are automatically members of the National Health Insurance Program 
(NHIP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) by virtue of R.A. 
No. 11223 - would be able to access free annual medical check-ups which shall include 
blood sugar and cholesterol tests. This program, which shall be created and managed' 
by PhilHealth, will not only help Filipinos assess their well-being arid address their 
most immediate health concerns but also hopefully address the growing cost of 
healthcare In the country.
Through this policy, we are empowering Filipinos to take a more proactive 
stance towards their own health and, in turn, create a more health-conscious 
population.
In view of the foregoing, reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNYANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2297
DATE
¥
BILLS
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Annual
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Medical Check-Up Act of 2021"
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes its duty to protect and
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promote the right to health of the people. Pursuant to its duty, the State shall provide
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the services needed to ensure the health and wellness of every Filipino. Aside from
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enhancing programs that focus on curative medicine, there should be emphasis on
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improving the country's health care system in terms of preventive interventions and
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strengthening the health-seeking behavior of citizens. In line with this, Filipinos shall
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be entitled to an annual medical check-up, through the programs of the Philippine
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Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), that Is free of charge in any government
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hospital and institution.
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SEC. 3. Coverage.
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A. Population Coverage. - Every Filipino citizen shall be covered by the free
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annual medical check-up under this Act pursuant to Sec. 5 of R.A. No. 11223
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or the "Universal Health Care Act."


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B. Medical Check-Up Coverage. - PhilHealth, in consultation with the
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Department of Health (DOH), shall establish a program to provide Filipinos
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with free annual medical check-up including, but not limited to, blood sugar
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and cholesterol tests: Provided, That, prior to the availment of laboratory
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and/or diagnostic exams, the patient must first be screened by a PhilHealth-
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accredited primary care provider as stated under Sec. 6(d) of R.A. 11223 in
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order to evaluate the patient and identify which laboratory and/or diagnostic
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exams should be administered: Provided, further. That the availment of the
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laboratory and/or diagnostic exams shall be through PhilHealth-accredited
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health care institutions (HCIs): Provided, furthermore. That, upon approval
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of the PhilHealth Board, these laboratory and/or diagnostic exam shall be
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expanded subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds and the current and
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emerging health necessities of Filipinos.
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SEC. 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. - The duration of availing the
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free medical check-up shall be for the whole calendar year. PhilHealth shall establish
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a system to secure that every Filipino will be accommodated and get the services that
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they are entitled to.
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SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - PhilHealth shall be
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primarily responsible in implementing the provisions of this Act. PhilHealth, in
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consultation with DOH, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
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regulations within thirty (30) days upon effectivity of this Act.
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: 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to implement this Act shall
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be charged against the total revenue of PhilHealth, composed of premium
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contributions from direct contributors and premium subsidies of the government for
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the indirect contributors, of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to
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be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, other issuances,
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rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


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SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,