FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLlC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
8 
iC!L 2.4 ? j :', (3 
I 
Introduced by Senatcsr Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that 70 percent or 58 million 
Filipinos had already been exposed to hepatitis-B virus. Of the said number, 10 
to 12 percent or 7 million are chronically infected, and 30 percent or 2.1 million 
will develop liver ailments when they hit the age of 30 to 50. Many Filipino 
children remain unvaccinated and many adults may be chronic carriers. Although 
most hepatitis- B carriers have no symptoms, they can still transmit the infection 
and develop liver cancer. Liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis-B infection in 
many cases is the second most common cancer in Filipino men. 
Hepatitis-B virus can be transmitted by blood transfusions, sharing or 
reusing needles for injection or tattoos, and unprotected sex. Many gets infected 
when they are infants or at young age. Frequently, transmission of the hepatitis3 
virus occurs during the birthing process when the virus is passed on from the 
mother who is often unaware that she is a carrier and has chronic hepatitis-B to 
her child. It can also be transmitted during early childhood through direct contact 
with blood of infected individuals, occurring from contact between open wounds 
or sharing toothbrushes or razors. 
This Liver Cancer and Hepatitis-B Awareness and Prevention Month aim 
to increase public consciousness on the liver cancer and hepatitis-B. Massive 
information campaign and other support programs will help the public battles the 
disease and even prevent it at the early stage. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Reguular Session 
1 
8 JUL 24 P6 :lb 
Senate Bill No. 
2493 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS 
MONTH” 
“LIVER CANCER AND HEPATITIS-B AWARENESS AND PREVENTION 
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of fhe Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Liver Cancer 
and Hepatitis-B Awareness and Prevention Month Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - In line with the principles and 
mandates set by the Philippine Constitution that “the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them” (Article 2, Section 15) and that “the State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development” (Article 13, Seciiori’l 1 ). 
Section 3. Awareness Month. - The month of February oi every year 
throughout the Philippines shall be known under ?he name of “Liver Cancer and 
Hepatitis4 Awareness and Prevention Month.” 
SECTION 4. Public Education and Awareness Program. - To ensure 
the meaningful observance of the month as herein declared, a comprehensive 
public education and awareness program shall be undertaken on the 
communicable disease of Hepatitis-B, which causes around 70% of liver cancers. 
The program shall specifically discuss the causes, transmission, consequences, 
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tiepatitis-6, including the urgent need for 
routine and immediate infant immunization, which is a compulsory government 
health policy in order to combat the rapid spread of the disease and protect lives, 
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as well-as the impottance of child and adult vaccination, for a holistic approach to 
battling the virus. 
SECTION 5. Infer-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Effort. - The Department 
of Health shall lead in the implementation of the comprehensive public education 
and awareness program on hepatitis - 5 and liver cancer through a collaborative 
inter-agency and multisectoral effort at all levels. It shall particularly ensure 
widespread and expeditious public information about the benefits of compulsory 
routine immunization for hepatitis - B of all, infants within 24 hours after birth, 
which is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) prescription for 
immediate infant immunization in all countries with. a high endemic rate of 
hepatitis - El infections like the Philippines. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Health shall promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the 
effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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