FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. 1114 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is known for its strong provIsions on 
social justice. 
In fact, it is the very hallmark of the present fundamental law. 
Social justice includes the earnest delivery of basic services to the people, 
especially the underprivileged who needs it most. 
This bill, more than a rneGhanism to fulfill the fundamental guarantee on 
the citizens' right to health, is a legislation honoring social justice. And it is 
through the carrying out of a comprehensive program of free vaccination and 
immunization of Filipino infants and children. 
This legislation's significance is mirrored more considering that very 
recently, it was reported that about 500,000 Filipino infants annually remain 
unvaccinated and vulnerable to' preventable illnesses like measles, neonatal 
tetanus, polio and hepatitis B. 
The following factual information deserve attention and rationalizes why 
this legislation deserves to pass soonest: 
1. 
Vaccination for measles is needed as the disease kills. Every infant 
needs to be vaccinated against measles at the age of nine (9) 
months or as soon as possible after nine (9) months as part of 
routine infant vacci[lation schedule. 
2. 
An early hepatitis B vaccine reduces the chance of being infected 
and becoming a carrier. It prevents liver cirrhosis which are more 
likely to develop if infected with hepatitis B early in life. Likewise, 
the statistics indicate that about 9,000 infants die of complication of 
hepatitis B yearly. 
3. 
Children can be guarded early on against three infectious diseases 
in humans: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (OPT). 
This bill mandates the Department of Health and all other medical or 
health institutions to conduct and make available immunization and vaccination 
at a faster frequency and access. At present, while immunization and vaccination 
are done all over the country, it is on a time-based: quarterly in far-flung areas 
and monthly in barangay health stations. 
Immediate enactment of this bill is recommended highly. 
ILLAR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'S E NAT E 
S,B. 1114 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL 
PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH, 
THROUGH THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE 
VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS 
AND CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. 
The citizen's right to health is a fundamental guarantee 
ensconced in the supreme law, 
It is a declared policy thus that "[t]he State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them." 
Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have 
become expensive and has not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby 
declared that the same should be made available for free administration and 
comprehensively adopted as a program of social justice, 
Section 2, The Department of Health through all government hospitals, 
its satellite offices, accredited government clinics and medical institutions shall 
provide for free the following vaccination and immunizations for infants and 
children: 
a, 
Hepatitis B; 
b. 
DPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough); 
c, 
H. Influenza type b; 
d, 
Polio (salk injected); 
e, 
Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis) 
f. 
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles); 
g, 
Varicella (chicken pox) 
Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of 
religious belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, 
or for medical 
reasons and which is certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other 
valid reason that may be advanced by the parents of the infant or child, 
as 
necessary. 
Provided, further, that a certain day of the week must be devoted 
for immunization and vaccination in all local government unit health centers. 
Section 3, 
The Department of Health in consultation with the national 
association of pediatrics and recognized experts of the private sector, non-
governmental organizations and peoples' organizations and academe on 
child 
health and care, children'S rights and parental guidance, shall issue the relevant 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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Section 4. 
The amount of One Billion Pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) 
annually to implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free 
immunization and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in 
the budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act. 
One percent (1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and 
controlled corporations shall be collected and to form part of the fund that may be 
used for the purpose. 
Section 6. 
If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
Section 6. 
All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
Section 7. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (16) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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