Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL HEALTH PASSPORT SYSTEM
AND STRENGTHENING THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A strong healthcare system requires a stable data management system that would
allow healthcare providers to access and assess patient information for better and more
efficient delivery of medical services. Through the establishment of a National Health
Passport System, each Filipino will have a document that would reflect one’s full medical
history and other relevant data. In the event of emergencies, the health passport system
will also be a quicker means to assess the situation which can ultimately save lives.
Not only will a health passport benefit our healthcare providers as it will also
caution patients to be aware of his or her existing health condition. Having a record of
one’s own medical history will provide valuable information in terms of health
monitoring. The health passport shall also contain one’s scheduled health check-ups for
the patient’s ease of reference and the doctor’s effective means of monitoring.
In today’s digital world, the government must find a way to maximise the benefits
of technology in building a stronger, more stable primary healthcare system. Through this
bill, we hope to strengthen our primary healthcare system that caters to all and is felt by
all.
In view of the foregoing, it is my hope that this measure will be expeditiously
passed.
Hon. Ricardo “Ading” S. Cruz, Jr.
Representative
1st District, Taguig-Pateros
1
March 20, 2023
12:05 pm
7692


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL HEALTH PASSPORT SYSTEM
AND STRENGTHENING THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Health Passport
System Act”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them. The
State guarantees universal access to affordable and quality health care services from the
government, especially to the underprivileged.
Also, the State recognizes the need to adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development, which shall endeavour to make essential goods, health
and other social services available to all the people at affordable costs.
It is also the policy of the State to promote scientific and technological research
and development, foster invention, and utilize scientific knowledge as an effective
instrument for the promotion of national progress. This includes the full utilization of the
latest technology in the delivery of basic services to Filipinos, including healthcare
services.
SECTION 3. National Health Passport System. – Consistent with the above
policies, the Department of Health (DOH), in joint coordination with the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Local Government
Units (LGUs), shall design and implement the National Health Passport System.
1
7692


SECTION 4. Content and Purpose. – For purposes of this Act, the Health
Passport shall be the personal record booklet containing:
(a) A medical patient’s medical and dental history as recorded by a duly-licensed
healthcare professional;
(b) The names of duly-licensed healthcare professionals which the patient
consulted, including the date of such consultation;
(c) Results of laboratory examinations;
(d) Diagnosis;
(e) Immunization records;
(f) Drugs and medical devices prescribed, including the quantity and frequency of
intake or use, as the case may be, of the same;
(g) Information on all medical and health related benefits provided by laws,
including
benefits
from
the
Philippine
Health
Insurance
Corporation
(PhilHealth);
(h) Information regarding the patient’s medical rights and privileges under the
passport system; and
(i) Such other details which the DOH may deem appropriate.
The Health Passport shall be used as valid identification to avail of free medical
services, including diagnostics and treatment, in public hospitals, subject to the guidelines
to be set by the DOH.
The DICT and DOST may utilize the latest available technology, such as, but not
limited to, the use of a Quick Response (QR) Code which shall be linked with permanent
PhilHealth membership number and other pertinent details, to implement this Act.
SECTION 5. Authority to Access Passport. – Access by proper medical
authorities to the data recorded therein shall be made upon the passport holder’s prior
consent. In the absence of the relatives, the physician in charge of the patient shall be
authorized to review the patient’s passport.
SECTION 6. Scope of the Health Passport Program. – All Filipino citizens
shall be entitled to a personal Health Passport, which shall be used for availing of medical
services or treatment provided in public or private medical institutions.
The parents or legal guardians of children born after the effectivity of this Act
shall be required to enroll their children in the Health Passport System program. Failure
to provide the child with medical check-ups and immunization shall constitute an act of
child abuse or cruelty, punishable under Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the
“Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
SECTION 7. Procedure. – Cities, municipalities, and Barangays, together with
the DSWD, shall be responsible for the distribution of health passports.
SECTION 8. Digitization of Rural Health Center Records. – In the pursuit of
seamless and efficient health care service, rural health centers in the Philippines are
2


directed to digitize all medical records and evaluation results. This is to create a shareable
database to consolidate all information that will be easily accessible in time of need.
SECTION 9. Senior Citizens Privileges. – All privileges granted to senior
citizens under the Senior Citizen’s Act and other laws shall also apply to senior citizens
with health passports. Medical institutions shall give priority to senior citizens on their
needs.
SECTION 10. Rural Health Units Assessment Report. – DOH shall submit an
initial assessment report to the House of Representatives and the Senate on the status of
every Rural Health Unit (RHU) within ninety (90) days of the effectivity of this Act to
identify which RHUs do not meet the universal standards for quality primary healthcare.
SECTION 11. Roadmap for the Improvement of Rural Health Units. – Based
on the Rural Health Units Assessment Report, as mandated by the preceding section, the
DOH shall likewise prepare a comprehensive roadmap elaborating the recommended
steps to improve the quality of primary healthcare.
Annually thereafter, an update report pertaining to the progress of the RHUs shall
be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate for purposes of monitoring
and evaluation.
SECTION 12. Implementing Agency. – The DOH shall promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, and
administer this program in coordination with the local government units concerned and
other agencies whose functions are bound to affect the implementation of this system.
In this connection, the DOH is hereby mandated to conduct further study on this
system. The Department shall also assess the capabilities of the health institutions in the
local government units as well as the availability of laboratory apparatuses to put into
service the provisions of this Act.
SECTION
13.
Appropriation.
–
The
sum
necessary
for
the
effective
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 14. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act shall be
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers
of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,
3