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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills. Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1960

HOUSE BILL NO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill mandates the Department of Health and all other medical or health institutions to
conduct and make available immunization and vaccination at a faster frequency and access. At
present, while immunization and vaccination are done all over the country, itis on a time-based.
quarterly in far-flung areas and monthly in barangay health stations. This measure was
previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 1S® Congress. Passage of this Bill is earnestly
sought now in the 16 Congress.

Fe

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Norther Samar


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House sino. 1960

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast, Abayon

- 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 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 shail
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 administration and
comprehensively adopted as a program of social justice.

Section 2. The Department of Health through all government hospitals,
its satellite offices, accredited government clinics and medical instituti
provide tor free the following vaccinauon and immunizations for
children:

Hepatitis B;

OPT — diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough):
H. Influenza type b;

Polio (salk injected);

Rotavirus diarrhea and gastroenteritis)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles);
Varicetia (chicken pox)

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Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of
religious belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical
reasons and which is certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other
valid reason that may be advanced by the parents of the infant or child, as
necessary. Provided, further, that a certain day of the week musi 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, non-
governmental organizations and peoples’ organizations and academe on child
health and care, children’s rights and parental guidance, shall issue the relevant
tules and regulations to impiement 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 eamings made by govemment-owned: and
controlled corporations shail 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. All executive issuances, rules and rogulations 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,