FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 (} 
AUG -2 1\9 :20 
SEN~~OO 
S.No. ___ _ 
jlECEIVED ~y : -@_-= 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides that: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
The increase in the elderly popUlation have implications in regard to the country's 
response to the special needs of the aged; specifically, the adequacy of geriatric health facilities, 
trained personnel and welfare programs for those who cannot afford private healthcare. Despite 
the traditional high regard for older persons in Filipino society, they are the most vulnerable to 
neglect as the family tries to face the pressures of survival. 
Osteoporosis is one of the major concerns for our elderly population. It may be 
debilitating, but it can be prevented or at least minimized through proper nutrition and exercise 
, 
before bone loss. And even those affected by severe bone loss can take preventive measures to 
minimize ihe risk of disabilities. To address these issues, early detection, prevention and 
maintenance are the best weapons .. 
This bill' seeks to address the need to be informed about osteoporosis, its effects and its 
prevention. 
~ ~ J
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'~ ...... 
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., 
.ttfj)" MIRIAM DE WSOR S Ti!jcI 
• This bill was originally file by the Senator during the Thirteenth Congress 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATll 
S.No: 
2~OO 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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INITIATING A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR OSTEOPOROSIS EDUCATION AND 
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PREVENTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:· 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "Osteoporosis Education and 
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Prevention Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(1) "DOH" shall refer to the Department of Health; 
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(2) "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary ofthe Department of Health; 
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(3) "Congress" is both the Senate and the House of Representatives; and 
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(4) "Osteoporosis" shall refer to a disorder common to elderly women in which calcium 
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and bone protein are depleted, causing bones to become less dense, more brittle, and fracture 
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easily. 
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SECTION 3. National Public Awareness Campaign. - The DOH shall create a national 
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campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to osteoporosis. As part of such 
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campaign, the Secretary shall provide public service announcements, in accordance with 
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applicable law and regulations, by developing and placing in telecommunications media 
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announcements intended to encourage at-risk popUlations to discuss their risks of osteoporosis 
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with their physicians, and to call attention to early warning signs and risks factors based on the 
, 
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best available medical information. 
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SECTION 4. Osteoporosis Prevention Demonstration Program. -
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(1) The Secretary shall carry out an osteoporosis prevention demonstration program for 
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purposes of -
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(A) determining the best practices for providing information and outreach services 
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(including programs and information, such as forums, seminars, and large-print, easy-to 
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understand, multilingual literature) relating to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of 
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osteoporosis; and 
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(B) measuring the effectiveness of such program over a three-year period, as 
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shown by an increase in the percentages of individuals who have demonstrated expanded 
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awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis (including knowledge of personal risk factors). 
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(2) In carrymg out such program, the Secretary shall collaborate with the leading 
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nongovernmental health organizations, academic institutions, local health officer, as well as 
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other health entities, with a mission both to promote lifelong bone health nationwide and to 
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provide outreach to local governments and communities, for the purpose of determining the best 
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practices for providing bone-health information and outreach services to at-risk populations. 
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SECTION 5. Osteoporosis Research and Reports. - Not later than 18 months after the 
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enactment of this Act, the DOH shall conduct a study on the prevalence of osteoporosis among 
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the country's popUlation. The study shall also contain an evaluation of the national public 
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awareness campaigns conducted by the DOH, as well as recommendations on measures that 
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could be undertaken to strengthen osteoporosis education and prevention programs. A report of 
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this study shall be submitted to Congress not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
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of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, 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 accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. 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 ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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