Republic of the Philippines

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Sy “Wy

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Dart
First Regular Session

House BILLNo.__ 69

Introduced by REP. ANTHONY G. DEL ROSARIO
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 12, Article XIII of the Constitution provides that, “The State shail
establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system and undertake
appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country’s
health needs and problems.”

This bill seeks to establish the Healthy Lifestyle Office under the Department
of Health (DOH) to coordinate efforts of all health entities, both private and public, in
order to prevent and remedy health related problems as well as to ensure that all
citizens are educated on the various serious health risks that affect the populace.

When we make healthy choices, we feel better, look better and live better.
Choosing the healthy lifestyle requires us to learn the consequences of our behavior
on our health. When we are informed on how diet, sufficient sleep, exercise and
chemical substances affect our health, we can make educated choices. Healthy
lifestyle provides a solid foundation for positive outcome in all aspects of our lives:
school, work, recreation and relationships.

The rise in obesity and weight-related problems accompanied by the resulting
incidence of chronic diseases has created a crisis that burdens the health care
infrastructure of our country. Recent deaths caused by stroke, cardio-vascular
disease and cancer can be attributed to erratic lifestyle practices and exposure to risk
factors such as smoking, poor eating habits and lack of exercise. The prevalence of
such health concerns thereby calls for a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to
prevention. We must take an informed, sensitive approach to communicate and
educate our citizens regarding health issues in line with improving the health of our
citizens and reducing the cost of health care.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is highly appreciated.

CZ. '
HOKY G. DEL ROSARIO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 69

Introduced by REP. ANTHONY G. DEL ROSARIO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE OFFICE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — Itis hereby declared the policy of the
State to adopt, establish and institutionalize mechanisms that are aimed, to protect
and promote the health of the Filipino people. Toward this end, the establishment of
the Healthy Lifestyle Office is necessary in order to plan, develop and implement a
national program for the promotion and support of activities that will make the lifestyle
of all Filipinos healthy.

SEC.2. _ Healthy Lifestyle Office. — There is hereby established the
Healthy Lifestyle Office under the Department of Health to undertake appropriate
health development and research program that shall promote the healthy lifestyle
responsive to the needs of the Filipinos to reduce sickness, disability and other
lifestyle related diseases.

SEC. 3. Duties and Functions. — The Healthy Lifestyle Office shall have
the following duties and functions:

a) Adopt an integrated, comprehensive and community based response
for the prevention and control of chronic, lifestyle related non-communicable diseases
(NCDs);

b) Promote health strategies that will be intensified in order to effect
changes that would lead to a significant reduction in mortality and morbidity, ensure
and actively pursue complementary accountabilities of all stakeholders in the
implementation of an integrated, comprehensive and community based response to
these diseases;

c) Establish the Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, composed of public and
private sector representatives chosen by the Secretary of Health, to assure
consistency of the public health and private sector approach to dealing with programs
that address the problems that affect overweight and obese individuals;

d) Establish a clinical advisory committee to ensure a unified approach
using the latest research for consistency in program development and to provide a
forum for discussing the issues that institute healthy lifestyles and to identify best
practices that can be replicated;

e) Coordinate higher education and training programs for dietary and
exercise physiology students with local health boards;

Solicit, accept and expend grants, gifts, bequests, donations and other
funds from any source for programs that will enable the country to accomplish the
goals of this program;

9) Develop a cross-agency series of goals to ensure consistency
throughout the system of providers and agencies working in the area of improving
lifestyles;


h) Encourage the development of incentives for participation in employee
wellness programs;
i) Build upon existing initiatives that focus on any of the coalition’s goals,
soliciting input from these initiatives and eliminating duplication of efforts; and
Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC.4. Executive Director; Qualifications. — The Office shall be under
the direct supervision of an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines from the list of doctors of medicine recommended by the
Secretary of Health. The Executive Director shall be a recognized physician with at
least five (5) years experience in any of the most prominent non-communicable
diseases, namely: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary
diseases (COPD) and diabetes, which are lifestyle related and are linked by common
preventable risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

SEC. 5. Duties of Executive Director. — The Executive Director shall be
directly responsible to the Office, and shall have the following duties:

a) Exercise over-all supervision and direction over the implementation of
all research and development programs of the Office and in general to supervise and
direct the management, operation and administration of the Office;

b) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets and
deliver documents on behalf of the Office;

©) Approve the Office’s organizational structure, staffing patterns,
operating and capital expenditures;

d) Recommend the officers and employees of the Office on the basis of
the highest possible standards of merit and fitness for public servants subject to the
civil service laws, rules and regulations;

e) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and regulations
issued by the Department of Health; and

f) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other
duties as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned.

SEC.6. Annual Report. — The Executive Director shall submit to the
President of the Philippines, through the Secretary of Health, an annual report
generally dealing with the activities and operations of the Office, together with the
audit report on the relevant accounts.

SEC.7. _ Appropriations. -— The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the Department
of Health. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the operation and
maintenance of the Office shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8 Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,