Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. 2040 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cancer is a significant global health concern, and the Philippines is no exception. To address 
this problem, the government should implement a cancer screening, early detection, and prevention 
program in all government health facilities for the Filipino population.  
The program should aim to provide accessible and affordable cancer screening services to 
Filipinos, particularly those at high risk for developing the disease. This includes those with a 
history of cancer in their family, those who smoke or use tobacco products, and those with a history 
of exposure to cancer-causing agents.  
Detection at an early stage is crucial in the fight against cancer. In addition to education and 
awareness campaigns, the program should encourage Filipinos to undergo regular cancer 
screenings by promoting regular cancer screenings. This can include public service 
announcements, community outreach programs, and health facility-distributed educational 
materials.  
A cancer screening, early detection, and prevention program for Filipinos in all government 
health facilities is crucial for reducing the cancer burden in the Philippines. By providing 
accessible and affordable cancer care services, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and investing 
in healthcare professionals, the government can assist Filipinos in the early detection and 
prevention of cancer, thereby enhancing their chances of survival and quality of life.  
This measure was previously filed in the 19th Congress by the undersigned and was referred 
to the House Committee on Health on 05-08-2023.  
With the foregoing in mind, it is requested that this bill be passed. 
CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
Representative          
5th District, Leyte    
July 16, 2025
5:30 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. 2040 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
CANCER SCREENING, EARLY DETECTION, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR 
FILIPINOS IN ALL GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Cancer Screening, Early Detection, and 
Prevention Program Act."  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right to health of the people. Likewise, it is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make health care, medicines, and 
other social services available to all people at an affordable cost.  
To this end, the State shall endeavor to prevent and control diseases among high-risk groups 
through free prevention, screening, and early cancer detection.  
SECTION 3. Cancer Prevention Program. - The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination 
with the local government units through its local health officers, shall carry out and reinforce cancer 
prevention programs already in place, the purposes of which are as follows:  
a) To educate individuals on the significance of a healthy diet and lifestyle as a means of preventing
all types of cancer;
b) To inform the public about the risk factors for all types of cancer;
c) To educate on the common signs and symptoms of cancer, with a focus on the most prevalent
types of cancer in the Philippines;
d) To educate on proper self-examination techniques, such as breast self-examination (BSE) for
breast cancer;
e) To educate on the need for periodic physical examinations, including the frequency and type of
each test appropriate for each age group and the type of cancer for which the physical examination
is intended (e.g., clinical breast exam for breast cancer, digital rectal exam for prostate cancer,
among others);
f) To raise awareness about the availability of immunization as a cancer prevention measure; and
g) To educate individuals on the availability and suitability of early cancer detection procedures.
SECTION 4. Free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination. - Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 
vaccination, as part of the prevention of cervical cancer, shall be provided free of charge by all government 
health facilities in the Philippines to qualified, eligible beneficiaries.  


 
 
 
 
 
 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
 
SECTION 5. Free Screening and Early Detection Program. - All government health facilities 
nationwide shall provide free cancer screening and early detection programs for all qualified, eligible 
beneficiaries; the DOH shall determine the frequency and ages at which screening should be performed. 
The following screening and early detection procedures shall be made accessible and available for all 
qualified, eligible beneficiaries:  
a) Mammogram  
b) Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy  
c) Pap Smear/Pap Test  
d) Fecal Occult Blood Testing Colonoscopy  
e) Prostate Ultrasound  
SECTION 6. Qualified Eligible Beneficiaries. - The Free HPV Vaccination and Free Screening 
and Early Detection Program is restricted to recipients who meet the following criteria:  
a)  Filipinos between the ages of 10 and 50 whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer by a 
qualified health professional, or whose parents have died with cancer as the underlying cause of 
death as declared by a qualified health professional and indicated on the death certificate.  
b)  Identified as head of the family and the breadwinner through a Social Case Study made by a 
social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or through their 
BIR Income Tax Return;  
c)  Has a gross annual income of not greater than Php 100,000.00 as reflected in their BIR Income 
Tax Return; and  
d)  Belongs to the high-risk group identified by the DOH.  
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - In coordination with the DSWD, the DOH 
shall promulgate and issue the necessary guidelines for implementing this Act within sixty (60) days after 
its effectivity.  
SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DOH shall immediately include in the 
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.  
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If a provision or part hereof is declared invalid for any reason, 
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.  
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at least 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
 
APPROVED,