Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MAMMOGRAPHY AND BREAST CANCER CENTER 
IN NOVALICHES, QUEZON CITY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Women are regarded as crucial partners in nation-building through 
their multi-faceted and varied roles such as, but not limited to, being mothers, 
community workers, health professionals, and teachers. Affirmative and 
proactive programs, projects, and activities directed to enhance their physical 
well-being, however, are still much needed. 
Research studies conducted by the Department of Health show that 
many Filipino women of all ages develop breast cancer and die of it due to a 
number of reasons including the failure to have themselves checked up 
regularly. Another cause is the lack of health facility where they can access 
cancer healthcare. Even if there are existing centers, the distance and costs 
deter them from undergoing such a vital medical procedure. 
Unfortunately, the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast 
cancer among Asian countries, and the 9th highest in the world today. 1  
According to the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), three out of 
100 Filipino women can develop breast cancer before they reach the age of 
75. It is further reported that breast cancer accounts for 16 percent of all
cancer incidence in the country, and eight percent of all cancer-related
deaths.2
1 Argenal, Rene N.; Baterna, Margie L.; Peña, Christine F; Ravina, Jovita N.; and Sionzon, Marian R. 2019. “Risk 
Factors of Breast Cancer Among Women: A Meta Analyses”. 12th National Convention on Statistics. Philippine 
Statistics Authority. 
2 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/291078/breast-cancer-is-the-most-prevalent-in-ph 
August 10, 2022
5:55 pm
3500


 
 
With allocations of the Department of Health (DOH) traditionally 
directed at core programs, mammography and breast cancer detection 
services are sometimes sidelined by competing priorities. Given the rising 
statistics of women mortality due to breast cancer, there is an urgent need to 
have such medical assistance and infrastructure made accessible to as many 
women as possible.  
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MAMMOGRAPHY AND BREAST CANCER CENTER 
IN NOVALICHES, QUEZON CITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Novaliches 
Mammography and Breast Cancer Center Act” 
SECTION 2. Novaliches Mammography and Breast Cancer Center. – 
There is hereby established a mammography and breast cancer center in 
Novaliches, Quezon City to be named the Novaliches Mammography and 
Breast Cancer Center hereinafter referred to as the ‘Center’.  
SECTION 3. Appropriations. – The Department of Health (DOH) shall 
provide the amount of one hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) for the 
construction and establishment of such center. The amount needed for the 
continued operations of the Novaliches Mammography and Breast Cancer 
Center shall be included in the annual budget of the Department of Health 
(DOH).  
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall 
be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
SECTION 5. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
3500


 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. – All general and special laws, decrees, 
executive orders, proclamation and administrative regulation, or any parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,