JiUUSi. YF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippings

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PATE IG 2016
Quezon City, Metro Manifa Taw:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS. By fey

First Regular Ses
First Regular Session aetearme
HB.No, 8128 | BILLS ann inne x

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT PROVIDING A NATIONAL FOLIC ACID AWAREN
PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS AND PROVIDE FRI
SUPPLEMENTATION IN HEALTH CENT

SS PROGRAM TO
‘OLIC ACID
ERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Constitution provides in Article Il, Section [5 that, “[T]he state shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them.”

Thousands of infants each year are born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine,
called neural tube defects, The most common of these are spina bifida, the incomplete closure of
the spinal column and anencephaly, a fatal condition in which an infant is born with a severely
under-developed brain and skull.

Studies in the United States show that as many as 70% of neural tube birth defect
prevented if all women of childbearing age begin in consuming 400 micrograms of fol
daily, before pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin found naturally in foods such as leafy
vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, and juices and in certain multivitamins capsules,

Unfortunately, a majority of women are neither aware of this prevention opportunity, nor
consuming the recommended daily amount.

Hence, this bill seeks to provide a national folic acid education campaign in order to urge

women to take the simple step to prevent neural tube defects. This bill also provides for funding
to provide free folic acid supplements in health centers. Foregoing premises considered, the

immediate approval of this bill is earnestly solicited.

REP. H. HARRY L. ROQUE JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGR!
First Regular Session

3128

TL.B. No,

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque JR

AN ACT PROVIDING A NATIONAL FOLIC ACID AWARENESS PROGRAM TO.
PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS AND PROVID! FOLIC ACID
SUPPLEMENTATION IN HEALTH CENTERS.

Senate and.

wuse of Representative of the Republic of the Philippines in

PARTI
Introductory Provisions

Section, 1, Title This Act shall be known as the “Folic Acid Promotion and Birth Defects
Prevention Act.

Se

c. 2. Promotion of the Beneficial Effects of Folic Acid in the Prevention of Birth Defects,
e Department of Health (DOH) shall carry out a program, directly or through special
arrangements with other government agencies and other promotional entities engaged in public
information activities, to provide education and training for health professionals and the general
public for purp: of explaining the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects and to
encourage women of reproductive capacity to consume the appropriate amount of folic acid as a
dietary supplement on a daily basis,

Pursuant thereto, the Secretary of Health may consult with the appropriate public and
private entities, including national nonprofit and nongovernment organizations, health
professionals and health insurance and health plan providers, to ensure the success of such
education and training program. In addition, the Secretary shall, directly or through partnership
with other sectors, provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private organizations to
fulfill the mandate provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof,

Sec. 3. tinuing Research and Study on the Effects of Folic Acid. — The DOH shall
conduct continuing studies on the effects of folic acid to increase the understanding of the same



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on the health of the citizenry, especially its contribution to the prevention of birth defects, cleft
lift and palate, and heart defects, It shall likewise conduct research with respect to such education
and training, including identifying effective strategies for increasing the rate of consumption of
folic acid by women of reproductive capacity. In addition, it shall provide for appropriate
activities regarding folic acid, birth defects, and neural tube defects

Sec, 4. Evaluation of Program Implementation. — The Secretary of Health shall cause the
review of the program to evaluate the extent to which the activities carried out, pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3 hereof, have been effective in fulfilling the goals of the program, including their
effect on different sectors of the population. Methods of evaluation to be undertaken pursuant
thereto include surveys of knowledge and attitutes on the consumption of folic acid and on blood
folate levels, and the complete and timely monitoring of infants who are born with neural tube
defects,

Sec. 5, Free Folie Acid Supplements in Health Centers, This Act also provides for funding for
free folic acid supplements in barangay health centers for women contemplating of pregnancy,
under the care of a health professional

Sec. 6, Funeing. - 5. The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department's program the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act

Sec. 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 thereby shall remain valid and
subsisting

Sec. 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, modified or amended accordingly

Sec, 9. Effectivity Clause, — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette

Approved,