Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. 2061 
Introduced by 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE 
FUND FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cancer remains a pressing public health concern in the Philippines, driven by the high 
cost of treatment and the limited accessibility of specialized care. As a disease that 
weakens the immune system and often leads to life-threatening complications, cancer 
affects individuals across all socioeconomic groups, with low- and middle-income 
populations bearing the heaviest burden. Globally recognized as one of the leading 
causes of mortality, cancer demands urgent, sustained, and coordinated public health 
intervention, especially in countries where access to timely and affordable healthcare 
remains inadequate. 
In the Philippine context, while a small number of patients with financial means may 
seek treatment abroad, the vast majority must depend on the overstretched local 
healthcare system. Many are diagnosed at late stages of the disease, where curative 
options are severely limited. This is often due to a combination of factors, including 
genetic predisposition, lack of awareness, and the absence of systematic screening and 
early detection programs. 
Multiple studies highlight the critical need for a comprehensive and inclusive cancer 
care framework, one that not only extends survival but also improves the quality of life 
for patients and their families. To this end, this bill proposes to institutionalize 
evidence-based, patient-centered interventions that strengthen cancer prevention, early 
detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care within the public health 
system. 
This legislative measure reaffirms the State’s commitment to upholding every Filipino’s 
right to health by promoting equitable access to cancer care and ensuring the efficient 
and strategic allocation of healthcare resources. It also acknowledges the progress 
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made in recent years in enhancing the delivery of essential medical services, and seeks 
to build upon these gains through sustained government engagement and the 
consideration of diverse health determinants, whether social, economic, and 
environmental, that shape health outcomes. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
Bagong Henerasyon Party-List 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. 2061 
Introduced by 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE 
FUND FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.  
This Act shall be known as the “Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund for Filipinos Act.” 
SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of 
all Filipinos, particularly the indigent and underprivileged. To this end, the State shall 
adopt and implement a responsive, equitable, and sustainable system for the delivery of 
free cancer treatment and access to essential medicines for cancer patients who lack 
the financial means to afford care. The government shall prioritize interventions that 
improve survival rates, ensure quality of life, and prevent financial hardship among 
affected individuals and families. 
SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS.  
As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
A.
Cancer – refers to a broad group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with
the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Common types include
breast, lung, liver, colorectal, and cervical cancer
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B.​
Cancer Treatment Program – refers to the government-administered system of 
providing medical services, medicines, and financial assistance to indigent and 
underprivileged cancer patients under this Act 
 
C.​
Cancer Fund – refers to the Ten Billion Peso (PhP 10,000,000,000.00) fund 
established under this Act to support the diagnosis, treatment, and care of 
qualified cancer patients 
 
D.​
Indigent Patients – refer to individuals or families who have been assessed by the 
DSWD as lacking the financial resources to pay for necessary healthcare services, 
and who are enrolled in or eligible for social welfare programs 
 
E.​
Underprivileged 
Patients 
– 
refer 
to 
individuals 
who 
are 
economically 
disadvantaged or vulnerable due to unemployment, underemployment, or other 
conditions resulting in limited access to healthcare 
 
F.​
PhilHealth – refers to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the government 
agency mandated to implement the National Health Insurance Program 
 
G.​
Accredited Government Hospital – refers to any national, regional, or provincial 
public healthcare facility recognized and authorized by PhilHealth to deliver 
services under this Act 
 
H.​
Essential Cancer Medicines – refer to drugs listed by the Department of Health as 
critical for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer and its 
complications 
 
I.​
Medical Practitioners – refer to duly licensed physicians and allied health 
professionals authorized to assess, treat, and monitor cancer patients, including 
oncologists, hematologists, radiologists, and attending physicians 
 
J.​
Health District – refers to a geographic or administrative area, typically aligned 
with congressional districts, where PhilHealth-accredited government hospitals 
serve as implementing centers for the Program 
 
 
SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF A CANCER FUND AND FREE MEDICINE 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  
 
There is hereby established a Cancer Fund in the amount of Ten Billion Pesos (PhP 
10,000,000,000.00) to provide financial support for the treatment and medication of 
indigent and underprivileged cancer patients. For this purpose, a Cancer Treatment and 
Free Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is hereby 
created. 
 
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The Program shall be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PhilHealth) through its network of accredited government hospitals located within each 
congressional district, hereinafter referred to as health districts. 
 
Eligibility for assistance under the Program shall be limited to indigent and 
underprivileged cancer patients, who shall be identified by PhilHealth in close 
coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 
Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG). 
 
Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, PhilHealth, in coordination with the 
DSWD, DOH, DILG, and relevant stakeholders, including associations of hospitals, 
professional medical organizations, and patient advocacy groups, shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.. 
 
 
SECTION 5. INVOLVEMENT OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. 
 
Qualified medical practitioners from accredited public and private healthcare institutions 
shall play an essential role in the implementation of the Program. Their responsibilities 
shall include the clinical assessment, recommendation, treatment planning, and 
monitoring of patients eligible for assistance under this Act. 
 
The participation of medical professionals shall be guided by standards and protocols 
developed by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Medical Association 
(PMA) to ensure quality, ethical, and patient-centered care. 
 
The following healthcare professionals shall be recognized under this Act for their role in 
the delivery of cancer care services: 
 
A.​
Oncologists 
B.​
Hematologists 
C.​
Radiologists 
D.​
Attending Physicians 
E.​
Supporting Medical Professionals (e.g., nurses, nutritionists, palliative care 
specialists) 
 
 
SECTION 6. QUALITY STANDARDS OF DIALYSIS SERVICES.  
 
All hospitals and dialysis centers shall comply with the prescribed safety and quality 
standards for dialysis and transplant services as issued by the Department of Health 
(DOH). The Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) of the DOH, in 
coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), shall be 
responsible for the regular monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement of these standards 
to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered renal care. 
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SECTION 7. APPROPRIATIONS.  
 
The amount of Ten Billion Pesos (PhP 10,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for 
the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the necessary funds for the sustained 
operation of the Program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
(GAA) under the budget of the Department of Health (DOH). 
 
 
SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.  
 
If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE.  
 
All laws, executive orders, proclamations, rules, regulations, and other issuances or 
parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
 
 
SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY.  
 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved, 
 
 
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