Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

H.B.No,_5444

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 2, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution declares, “The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Numerous articles have surfaced confirming and supporting the old adage, “laughter
is the best medicine,” Due (o the increasing number of patients in every hospital coupled with
an upsurge of new kinds of diseases requiring special medical attention, the State is left with
no recourse but to explore alternative modes of health care. Studies show that humor therapy
helps patients relax primarily aiding them in dealing and accepting pain. Although it is
unproven that laughter has a direct causation with health improvement, it cannot be denied
that it reduces stress and enhances a person's quality of life. This is particularly applicable to
cancer patients who need every bit of optimism as they face seemingly never-ending sessions
of chemotherapy, which, needless to say, involves a huge degree of pain.

Many hospitals and treatment centers around the world have set up special rooms with
humorous materials for the purpose of making people laugh, such as movies, audio
recordings, books, games, and puzzles. Many hospitals use volunteers who visit patients for
the purpose of making them laugh. Some cancer treatment centers offer humor therapy in
addition to standard treatments.' However, the Philippines has yet to apply this simple yet
effective medical innovation.

Hence, this Bill seeks to improve health care services by mandating the establishment
of humor wards in public and private hospitals. By doing so, the State will be fulfilling its
responsibility in promoting the health of its people and provide its citizens additional aid in
combating illness. Through this Bill, it is envisioned that there will be an improvement in the
health care industry that will translate to a happier and satisfied citizenry. Therefore, the
immediate passage of this Bill is sought for.

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
‘epresentative
‘Third District, Province of Masbate

‘http: /www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedici
ne/mindbodyandspirit /humor-therapy


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

H.B.No,__ 5414

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HUMOR WARDS
IN ALL HOSPITALS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to continuously promote
and improve the people’s right to health

SECTION 2. Coverage. - The provision of the Act shall apply to all public and privately
owned hospitals,

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, a Humor Ward shall refer to a room
with a seat capacity of at least twenty (20) persons specially and contains humorous materials
designed to make people laugh, such as but not limited to, movies, audio recordings, books,
games, and puzzles.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Humor Wards. - All hospitals covered in this Act are hereby
mandated to establish a Humor Ward that shall offer humor therapy free of charge, Each
Humor Ward shall be equipped with adequate number of personnel preferably nurses and
qualified to induce laughter among patients.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and
memoranda inconsistent with any provisions of this Act ate hereby repealed or modified
accordingly

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected

SECTION 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act for
the first five (5) years shall be sourced out from the gross annual revenues of the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and thereafter in a special fund to be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Department of Health (DOH),
shall, within sixty (60) days after its approval prepare and issue the necessary guidelines to
implement the same

SECTION 9. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,