EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 
B12
)
cfn.
'19 JUL 18 P1 :29
RECt
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR 
DIABETES AND ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2000, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) predicted that by 
2025, there would be 320 million diabetics globally. However, in its 2015 
Diabetes Atlas, the IDF reported that there were already 415 million diabetics 
aged 20-79. Clearly, diabetes is exceeding projected rates and growing 
around the world.1 The IDF further estimated that by 2040, the global figure 
will rise to 642 million -  or one in 10 adults, if there is no appropriate response 
to resolve the growing diabetes epidemic around the world.
In the Philippines, at least 6 million Filipinos have been diagnosed to 
have diabetes but the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, 
warned that this figure could reach 12 million or even more by 2040 because 
of undiagnosed diabetes cases.2 The Philippines' 2013 National Health and 
Nutrition Survey revealed that diabetes is a major risk factor among Filipino 
adults > 20 years of age with a prevalence rate of 5.4% (Paz-Pacheco and 
Jimeno, 2015).3
Worse, more and more young Filipinos are diagnosed with diabetes. 
There were reports that even five-year old children were already diagnosed
1 2016, March 29. The Philippines is now a diabetes hotspot. Retrieved from; http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/225706/the-philippines-is-now- 
a-diabetes-hotspot/ (dale last accessed: July 9, 2019)
2 2016, August 13, 6 million Pinoys have diabetes. 
Retrieved from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805812/6m-pinoys-have- 
diabetes#ixzz4ccdTisbs (date last accessed: July 9, 2019).
1 Elizabeth Paz-Pacheco and Cecilia Jimeno. Diabetes Care in the Philippines. Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine 
Societies Volume 30, No. 2 (2015). Retrieved from: http://asean-endocrineioumal.orq/index.php/JAFES/article/view/267/667


with type 2 diabetes.4 The DOH stated that diabetes is one of the leading 
causes of mortality in the Philippines.
Many experts have attributed the increase of diabetic incidence in the 
Philippines to the lifestyle and culture of Filipinos and, to a great extent, to 
stress in the workplace. For example, BPO employees who work at night or 
have graveyard shift have higher risk of getting the disease according to the 
Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation. The DOH also 
mentioned that even traffic jams raise diabetes risk.5
Unfortunately, the IDF’s diabetes scorecard for the Philippines showed 
that the low level of diabetes-related health expenditures has prevented a 
very small proportion (0.9%) of diabetes related deaths. Thus, there is a need 
to increase the funding for diabetes prevention and treatment.
In view of the foregoing, this bill seeks to establish the Philippine 
Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE) to ensure that the full range of 
services for diabetes care, prevention and cure are given to the millions of 
Filipinos afflicted with diabetes through a more focused allocation of funding. 
The Center will also further enhance the noble undertaking of research in 
diabetes and the training of medical and technical personnel in the field of 
Endocrinology.
Diabetes care, prevention and cure should be a priority concern of the 
government because diabetes and other endocrine diseases exact a huge toll 
on our human resources. After all, the 1987 Constitution provides the duty of 
the state to secure the well being of the people by providing them specialized 
health services. A specialized institution, similar to the Philippine Heart 
Center, the Lung Center of the Philippines and the National Kidney and 
Transplant Institute, which will focus on diabetes, 
metabolism and 
endocrinology can significantly address the worsening incidence of diabetes 
here in the Philippines and lessen the impact of diabetes and its complications 
on families, workers, healthcare system, and the economy.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR ^ E L  VILLANUEVA
*2018, Octobef 18. Managing Diabetes. Retneved ftoin: hHps://businessmiiTOf com ph/2018/10/18/manaqing-diabeles/ (dale last accessed: July 9, 
2019)
5 2016, March 27. Tratlic jams raise diabetes risks 
Retrieved Irom: httpJ/www.Dhilstar.com/news-feature/2016/03/28/1566912/traffic-iams-raise- 
diabetes-risk (date last accessed: July 9.2019).


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 612
of tlir fe:.... !nip
*19 JUL18 PI 30
RECb: 
.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DIABETES 
AND ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. 
State Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them by providing specialized health services and research, education 
and training facility responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.
Hence, it is the primary concern of the government to assist and provide 
material and financial assistance in the establishment of a specialty hospital 
for Filipinos suffering from diabetes and promote diabetes care, prevention 
and cure all over the country.
SEC. 
2. 
Creation of the Philippine Center for Diabetes and 
Endocrinology. -  There is hereby created a body corporate to be known as 
the Philippine Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE), under the 
Department of Health (DOH), which shall serve as the lead tertiary-level care 
center in the screening, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
The PCDE shall have its principal office in Metro Manila, and may have such 
branch offices, hospitals, clinics or subsidiaries in Visayas and Mindanao and 
other areas in the Philippines, as it may deem proper and necessary.
SEC. 3. Purpose and Objectives.
purposes and objectives:
-  The PCDE shall have the following
a) 
To construct, establish, equip, maintain, administer and operate such 
integrated medical institution or institutions which shall provide an 
organize system of care, comprehensive and optimal treatment for 
patients with diabetes and other endocrine problems;


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b) 
To conduct nationwide screening and diagnosis of diabetes, obesity and 
the components of the metabolic syndrome;
c) 
To promote, encourage and engage in medical and scientific research 
on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine 
diseases and gather, compile, and publish the findings of such 
researches for public dissemination;
d) 
To encourage, undertake and assist conferences, fora, conventions, 
seminars, workshops and training programs for physicians, nurses, 
health officers, medical technologists, social workers and medical and 
technical personnel on the practical and scientific implementation of 
health care services to diabetic patients;
e) 
To assist universities, hospitals and research institutions in their studies 
on diabetes and other endocrine diseases and other related fields, to 
encourage 
and 
grant 
scholarships 
for 
advanced 
training 
and 
specialization in medical care and management in diabetes and related 
fields and to support and finance educational programs of value to public 
health;
f) 
To encourage the formation of other organizations at the national 
provincial, city and/or local levels, and to coordinate the various efforts 
and activities of such organizations for the purpose of achieving a more 
effective approach to the common problem relative to the purposes and 
objectives enumerated herein; and
g) 
To encourage telemedicine by establishing networks through internet 
facilities to link physicians at the local level or barrio doctors to 
specialists who can provide inputs to care of diabetic patients, especially 
in underserved areas, with due regard to the requirements of the Data 
Privacy Act of 2012.
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. -  For the attainment and/or furtherance of 
the purposes and objectives of this Act, the PCDE as a body corporate acting 
through its Board of Trustees, shall have the following powers and functions in 
addition to those provided for in the other sections of this Act:
a) 
To acquire, own, hold, use, lease, grant, mortgage, pledge, sell, assign, 
convey, transfer, exchange, dispose or otheoA/ise deal with, real and/or 
personal properties of every kind and nature, including shares of stock, 
bonds, 
debentures, 
notes, 
securities 
and 
other 
evidences 
of 
indebtedness or obligations of other corporations, whether domestic or 
foreign, and whether government or private;
b) 
To solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form of 
contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private 
sectors:


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C)
To award, enter into, make, execute, perform and carry out domestic or
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foreign contracts of whatever kind and nature;
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d)
To open accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to
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disburse such funds or invest the same as the Board may direct to
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accomplish or advance the purposes or interest of the PCDE, and to
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obtain loans, borrow funds and/or arrange financing or credit assistance
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of whatever kind and nature from all sources, whether domestic or
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foreign and whether government or private.
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e)
To levy, assess and collect such fees, charges and assessments as may
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be necessary or proper to support, finance and maintain its operations;
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f)
To invite diabetes specialists and similar experts in the various medical
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fields to train the personnel or trainees or residents of the PCDE and to
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also support the trainings, seminars, conferences and conventions of its
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medical personnel in research and medical institutes or universities, be it
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local or international as the Board may deem necessary and in line with
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the principles of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), to
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accomplish the purposes and objectives of the PCDE;
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g)
To adopt and use a corporate seal;
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h)
To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
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i)
To adopt its by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law of
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the provisions hereof to govern the administration and operation of the
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affairs of the PCDE; and
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j)
To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary,
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related or incidental or to carry out the purposes and objectives of this
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Act.
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SEC. 5. The Board of Trustees; Composition; Term and Compensation. -
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The PCDE shall be governed, and its activities and properties shall be
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directed, controlled and managed, by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter
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referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of a Chairperson and six
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(6) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of the
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Philippines.
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At
least one (1) member shall come from the Philippine Society of
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Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEM) and at least one (1) from
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the academe.
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The Chairman of the PCDE shall be appointed from among the members of
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the Board.
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All the members of the Board shall serve for a term of three (3) years, with a
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right to hold-over such position until their respective successors shall have
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been duly appointed and qualified. The President of the Philippines may,
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however, remove any member of the Board for cause. Whenever a vacancy 
shall occur in the Board, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold 
office for the unexpired term of the member replaced.
All members of the Board shall receive compensation in accordance with 
current standards set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
and as may be determined by the DOH.
SEC. 6. Power and Functions of the Board. -  The Board shall have the 
following powers and functions:
a) 
To formulate policies, guidelines and programs to effectively implement 
and carry out the purposes and objectives of this Act;
b) 
To prescribe, review and revise the amount of the fees, charges, and 
assessments levied and collected for the support and maintenance of 
the operations of the PCDE;
c) 
To control the management, operation and administration of PCDE;
d) 
To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or 
proper for the effective exercise of power and functions as well as the 
discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the PCDE and its officers 
and employees;
e) 
To authorize such expenditures of the PCDE as may be necessary or 
proper for the effective management, operation and administration of the 
PCDE;
f) 
To adopt the annual and supplemental budget of receipts and 
expenditures of the PCDE; and
g) 
To appoint, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the officers of the 
PCDE occupying executive and senior management positions.
SEC. 7. Officers of the PCDE. -  The Board shall determine the officers of 
the PCDE who shall be appointed by the President of the PCDE subject to 
confirmation by the Board. The PCDE may have an Executive Vice-President 
and such Vice-Presidents and Assistant Vice-Presidents as may be required 
for the effective operation of the PCDE.
SEC. 8. The President, His Term and Remuneration. -  The President of 
the PCDE shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of 
three (3) years. The salary of the President of the PCDE shall be fixed by the 
Board, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
SEC. 9. Powers and Duties of the President. -  The President of the PCDE 
shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the PCDE. He shall exercise the 
following powers and duties;


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a) 
To execute the policies, guidelines and programs approved by the 
Board, and to be responsible for the efficient discharge of management 
and operational functions;
b) 
To submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed 
measures, policies, guidelines and programs as he may deem 
necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the purposes and 
objectives of this Act;
c) 
To direct and supervise the management, operation and administration 
of the PCDE. For this purpose, he/she may delegate any or some of 
his/her administrative responsibilities and duties to the other officers of 
the PCDE;
d) 
To execute, on behalf of the PCDE, all contracts and agreements which 
the PCDE may enter into, and to execute, accomplish and deliver any 
and all documents relative to such contracts and agreements;
e) 
To represent the PCDE in all dealings with other offices, agencies and 
instrumentalities of the Government, and all other persons or entities, 
whether domestic or foreign, government or private;
f) 
To appoint, promote, transfer, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline 
the officers and employees of the PCDE, except those appointed by the 
Board;
g) 
To exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be 
vested or reposed upon him by the Board,
SEC. 10. Assistance from the Government. -  The PCDE may call upon 
any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government, 
including government-owned or controlled corporations, local government 
units, and state universities and colleges for such assistance as it may need 
in the pursuit of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
SEC. 11. 
Authority of the President in Emergencies.- In case of 
emergencies which require immediate action by the Board, and there is no 
sufficient time to call a meeting thereof, the President of the PCDE, with the 
concurrence of three (3) other members of the Board, may decide on any 
matter or take any action within the authority of the Board itself.
SEC. 12. Donations to the PCDE. -  The PCDE is hereby authorized to solicit 
and receive donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments from all 
sources whether foreign or domestic, and whether government or private, 
without the need of securing a permit, approval or registration from any 
government agency.
SEC. 13. Exemption from Fees, Duties and Taxes. -  The PCDE is hereby 
declared exempt from all income and all other internal revenue taxes, tariff 
and customs duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges and


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assessments levied by the Government and its political subdivisions agencies 
and instrumentalities. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all 
donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments which may be made by 
entities or persons to the PCDE shall be exempt from income and gift taxes, 
and the same shall be further deductible in full for purposes of computing the 
maximum amount deductible under the National Internal Revenue Code of 
1997, as amended.
SEC. 
14. 
Funding. 
-  
The 
amount 
of Ten 
Billion 
Pesos 
(PI0,000,900,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the revenues Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to defray the initial 
operational expenses of the PCDE. 
Thereafter, the necessary amount to 
support the continued operation and maintenance of the PCDE shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 15. Annual Report. -  The PCDE, through its President, shall submit 
an annual report on its accomplishments and activities to the President and 
both houses of Congress on or before April 30 of each year.
SEC. 16. Applicability of the Corporation Law. -  The provisions of the 
general corporation law, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act and with the purposes and objectives for which the 
PCDE is formed, shall apply suppletorily in the corporate governance affairs 
of the PCDE.
SEC. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days 
from the date of the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in close coordination with 
the Department of Science and Technology, National Economic Development 
Authority, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, and other 
stakeholders such as the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism 
(PSEM), shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective and 
faithful implementation of this Act.
SEC. 18. 
Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 19. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,