Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR DIGITAL X-RAYS AND SPUTUM TESTING 
LABORATORIES IN LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO 
MAINTAIN FREE X-RAY AND SPUTUM TEST SERVICES FOR THE 
ERADICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS IN COMMUNITIES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The World Health Organization reports that tuberculosis remains a 
major health problem in the Philippines affecting about a million Filipinos. 
Despite having free anti-tuberculosis medication provided to the citizens, the 
country continues to be the third highest in prevalence rate of tuberculosis 
(TB) in the world.  
Although the Department of Health cites the decline in TB cases in 
2020, the country still lags in diagnosis and precautionary measures. Proper 
treatment and spread of infection relies heavily on early detection of infected 
persons. 
 While anti-tuberculosis drugs are available in national and local 
government health centers, patients still require overall treatments that 
include multiple tests such as x-rays, blood tests, chest radiograph, sputum 
smear, and rapid molecular Diagnostic Tests that are costly. 
In accordance with Republic Act No. 10767, “An Act Establishing a 
Comprehensive Philippine Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis as a Public 
Health Problem and Appropriating Funds Therefor”, it is the mandate of the 
State to promote the universal right to health and instill health consciousness 
among them. Republic Act 10767 states that: 
August 8, 2022
5:34 pm
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“the State is mandated to adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development. Towards the 
end, the State shall support and expand efforts to eliminate 
tuberculosis as a public health problem by increasing 
investments for its prevention, treatment and control, and 
adopting a multisectoral approach in responding to the 
disease.” 
This bill seeks to uphold this mandate by tackling barriers to public 
health services. Towards this end and to address this harrowing public health 
concern, this legislation moves to adopt a mandatory, comprehensive, and 
sustainable periodic x-ray and sputum test program for the detection and 
prevention of tuberculosis.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR DIGITAL X-RAYS AND SPUTUM TESTING 
LABORATORIES IN LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO 
MAINTAIN FREE X-RAY AND SPUTUM TEST SERVICES FOR THE 
ERADICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS IN COMMUNITIES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Free X-Ray and Sputum 
Tests for the Eradication of Tuberculosis Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.  
Towards this end and to address a public health concern, the State shall 
adopt a mandatory, comprehensive, and sustainable periodic x-ray and 
sputum test program for the detection and prevention of tuberculosis.   
SECTION 3. Mandate. – In line with Republic Act (RA) No. 10767, otherwise 
known as “the Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act”, the 
Department of Health, with the participation of all local government units, is 
mandated to provide free digital x-rays and sputum test services to all 
Filipinos of suitable age.  For this purpose, every Cities or Municipalities shall 
establish in its locality at least one center or facility that will serve exclusively 
as a laboratory facility for x-rays and sputum testing.  
SECTION 4. Coverage. – All Filipinos who are of suitable age shall undergo 
x-ray and sputum test in the Center of their localities. The Department of
Health, in consultation with all local government units nationwide, shall
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conduct a mandatory periodic x-ray and sputum test free of charge in their 
respective localities pursuant to this Act.   
 
SECTION 5. Education and Information Campaign. – The Department of 
Health in coordination with the LGU shall conduct public information 
campaign on a regular basis about the benefits of x-ray and sputum test for 
the early detection, treatment, care and prevention of the disease which will 
help in the total elimination of tuberculosis as a public health problem in the 
country.    
 
The DOH shall incorporate a sustainable program of conducting periodic x-
ray and sputum test services to every individual of suitable age in the 
Philippine Comprehensive Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis. 
 
SECTION 6. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. – 
The Department of Health, with the assistance of local government units, 
academe, professional societies and nongovernmental organizations, shall 
undertake continuing information, education and training programs for all 
health personnel on the elimination or prevention of tuberculosis as a public 
health problem. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the 
implementation of this Act shall be chargeable against the excise taxes from 
tobacco products and the current year’s appropriations of the Department of 
Health on the tuberculosis elimination program. Thereafter, such sums as 
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include x-ray and 
sputum test in their basic services under its benefit package. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
Health, in consultation with the Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), the DepEd, the CHED, the PIA, the non-government organizations and 
other concerned entities shall issue the implementing rules and regulations 
within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Joint 
Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) on TB Eradication to conduct a 
regular review of the implementation of this Act which shall entail a 
systematic evaluation of the performance of concerned government agencies 
in the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act. The Committee shall be 
composed of the Chairpersons of the respective Committees on Health of the 


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Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines who shall act as 
co-chairpersons of the Oversight Committee, and the chairpersons of the 
Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Appropriation of both 
Houses as members thereof.  The Oversight Committee shall commission the 
Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to 
have an independent study on the full implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part or provision 
of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full 
force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
 
Approved,