Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manik

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5824

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN
EVERY REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

AND FOR OTHER PURPOS!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Among Asian countries, the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer.!
According to the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, three out of 100 Filipino women
can develop breast cancer before they reach the age of 75. It further says that breast cancer
accounts for 16 percent of all cancer incidence in the country, and eight percent of all
cancer-related deaths.

It is noteworthy, however, that the number of survivors is increasing worldwide due
to intensified awareness campaigns and early screening that helps detect the disease during
its curable stage. Thus, it is important for the State to exert more efforts to disseminate
information for breast cancer prevention and to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of
conditions for breast-related ailments.

This Bill aims to establish a Breast Care Center in every region of the Philippines.
‘These Centers shall be equipped with specialized diagnosis and treatment facilities. They
shall also direct the conduct awareness campaigns, information drive and public education
programs in a localized level.

In line of the foregoing, the passage of the Bill is earnestly sought. Wp —
vi

Mnquirer.net

ighest breast cancer incidence rate in Asia, health expert say Available at:
inquirer rate-in Ith-e 12) October 2015}
Philip C. Tubesa. Breast cancer is the most prevalent in PH. Philippines Daily Inquirer. Available at
hitp://newsinfo,inquirer.net/291078 /breast-cancer-is-the-most-prevalent-in-ph [21 October 2018]



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.9824

INTRODUCED BY
REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN
EVERY REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment of Breast Care Centers. - A Breast Care Center,
known in this Act as “Center”, shall be established in every region of this country
to spearhead the fight against breast cancer and to specialize in the diagnosis,
treatment, and follow-up of conditions affecting the breast. It shall be a new
department in existing regional hospitals of the National Government. Should
there be no regional hospital in the region, the Center shall be attached to any
district hospital in the region, which is most accessible to the highest of
constituents.

SEC. 2. Equipment and Personnel. - The Centers shall be provided with such
equipment tools, implements, devices, apparatus, and personnel as may be
necessary for them to carry out multiple programs such as Breast Protection,
Breast Suryeillance, Breast Imaging, Breast Diagnostics and Surgery, Breast
Cancer Chemotherapy and Breast Cancer Awareness and Protection.

SEC. 3. Function. - The Centers shall, in coordination with local government
units, local health offices, the Philippine Information Agency, and other


government agencies, shall spearhead a sustained and extensive information
and awareness campaign within their respective region to raise the level of
awareness of the region's constituents especially the women sector on the ills,
causes and symptoms of the disease for its early detection and prevention.

The centers shall coordinate with regional and local education officials to ensure
that female high school students in both public and private schools are taught
the pertinent information about the disease and are trained to habitually sell-
examine themselves as a part of the regular secondary curriculum.

SEC. 4 Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of the
Department of Health shall issue guidelines, orders, or rules and regulations as
may be necessary for implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5 Operationalization and Appropriations - To fully implement the
provisions of the Act, the Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the
Department’s program the operationalization of the Centers, the funding for
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 6 Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,