, i. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
O:"h~';·:i}~: 
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First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1. 38 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Recent studies have shown that Hepatitis B is endemic in the Philippines and 
, 
now affects more than eight (8) million or around ten percent (10%) of Filipinos. 
Hepatitis B virus infection is the recognized cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and 
is likewise said to be the cause of hepato-cellular carcinoma. 
It is further established that Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted not only through 
contaminated blood or blood products, but also from an infected pregnant mother to her 
newborn, the probability of the latter in as high as 20 to 30 percent (20%-30%). Most 
Hepatitis B carriers are ignorant of their condition because symptoms are not manifest. 
Thus, the early prevention of the disease is still the best protection that may be given a 
child. Studies have shown that a routine Hepatitis B vaccination of all newborn, 
immediately within twenty-four (24) hours from birth, is the best opportunity to prevent 
unrecognized perinatal transmission of the virus and has been recommended by the 
World Health Organization (WHO). 
{J~ g.(lIJ~ 
SENA TOR PIASJ:;AYE~O 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S: No. 138 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT REQUIRING 
MANDATORY BASIC IMMUNIZATION SERVICES AGAINST HEPATITIS-B FOR 
INFANTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 996 AS 
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION. 1. Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 996 as amended, is hereby 
2 
amended to read as follows: 
3 
"SEC. 2. Scope - Basic Immunization services shall include (a) BeG Vaccination 
4 
against tuberculosis; (b) Inoculation against diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis; (c) Oral 
5 
poliomyelitis immunization; (d) Protection against measles; (e) Immunization against 
6 
rubella; (f) immunization against Hepatitis-B; (g) such other basic immunization services 
7 
for infants and children below eight years of age as determined by the Secretary of 
, 
8 
Health in a department circular: Provided, That [newborn infants of women with 
9 
Hepatitis-B shall be given immunization against Hepatitis-B within twenty-four (24) 
10 
hours after birth] ALL NEW BORN INFANTS SHALL BE GIVEN IMMUNIZATION 
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AGAINST HEPATITIS-B IMMEDIATELY WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS 
12 
AFTER BIRTH; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT INFANTS BORN OUTSIDE A 
13 
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL CLINIC OR THE LIKE, SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO ANY 
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AVAILABLE HEALTH CARE FACILITY SO AS TO BE IMMUNIZED AGAINST 
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HEPATITIS-B WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS AFTER BIRTH BUT NOT LATER 
16 
THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS: PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT THE SUBSEQUENT 
17 
DOSES OF HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION SHALL BE COMPLETED ACCORDING TO 


1 
THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE OF HEPATITIS-B IMMUNIZATION, AS MAY BE 
2 
PROVIDED IN THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS ISSUED UNDER 
3 
SECTION 
4 HEREOF; 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, 
THAT ALL HEALTH CARE 
4 
PRACTITIONERS OR HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE ADMINISTERING 
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PRENATAL CARE SHALL EDUCATE ALL PREGNANT MOTHERS ON THE 
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IMPORTANCE OF GIVING THEIR INFANTS THE BASIC IMMUNIZATION SERVICES 
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AS WELL AS ANY POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF IMMUNIZATION." 
8 
SEC. 2. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
, 
9 
this Act shall be taken from the two and half percent (2.5%) allocation for the disease 
10 
prevention program of the Department of Health (DOH) from the incremental revenues 
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from the alcohol and tobacco excise taxes, as provided for under R. A. 9334. 
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The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include the basic 
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immunization services in its benefit package when actuarial studies have determined its 
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financial feasibility. 
15 
SEC. 
3. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
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presidential issuances, rules and regulations or any part thereof, which are inconsistent 
17 
herewith, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
18 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall 
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promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days 
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after the approval of this Act. 
21 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. -
If, for any reason or reasons, any part or 
22 
provisions of this Act shall be declared or held unconstitutional or invalid, other provision 
23 
or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
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effect. 
25 
SEC. 
6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
28 
Approved, 
29 
2