Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Right to Health is a fundamental human right. 
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “[t]he State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Furthermore, “[t]he State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services 
available to all the people at affordable cost.” Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO), in 
its Constitution, recognizes that the “enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is 
one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political 
belief, economic or social condition.”1 
According to a study by the University of the Philippines School of Economics, six (6) out 
of ten (10) Filipinos die without ever seeing a doctor. Studies attribute the dismal health education 
in the country to the poor economic position of most of the population. This very same reason is 
the stimulus behind the creation of Republic Act No. 11223 or “The Universal Health Care Act.” 
The UHC, in boosting public health and enhancing the public’s health, aims that all Filipinos be 
guaranteed “equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services, and 
protected against financial risk.”2 Likewise, the UHC envisions that through its passage and 
implementation, all Filipinos will be more “health literate, provided with healthy living conditions, 
and protected from hazards and risks that could affect their health.”3  
1 The Constitution of the World Health Organization adopted by the International Health Conference, held from 19 
June to 22 July 1946 in New York. 
2 Republic Act No. 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act”. 
3 Ibid. 
July 22, 2022
11:28 am
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Supplementing the benefits of the UHC, this measure seeks to provide access to 
preventive care to all Filipinos without incurring additional financial burden. As the Dutch 
philosopher Desiderius Erasmus maintained, prevention is always better than cure. 
This measure upholds the right to health of all Filipinos by giving everyone access to free 
medical check-up and, in effect, promoting better health literacy among the population. 
Given the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
    3rd District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act of 
2022”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes its duty to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people. Pursuant to its duty, the State shall provide the services needed to 
ensure the health and wellness of every Filipino. Aside from enhancing programs that focus on 
preventive and curative medicine, there should be emphasis on improving the country’s health 
care system in terms of preventive interventions and strengthening the health-seeking behavior 
of citizens. In line with this, Filipinos shall be entitled to an annual medical check-up, through the 
programs of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which is free of charge in 
any government hospital and institution. 
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SECTION 3. Coverage.  
 
A. Population Coverage – Pursuant to Sec. 5 of Republic Act No. 11223 or the “Universal 
Health Care Act,” every Filipino citizen shall automatically be included in the National 
Health Identification Program or NHIP, hence making every Filipino a PhilHealth 
member and thus entitled to the applicable benefits under this Act. 
B. Medical Check-Up Coverage – PhilHealth, in consultation with the Department of 
Health (DOH), shall establish a program to provide Filipinos with free annual medical 
check-up including, but not limited to, blood sugar and cholesterol tests: Provided, 
That, prior to the availment of laboratory and/or diagnostic exams, the patient must 
first be screened by a PhilHealth-accredited primary care provider as stated under Sec. 
6(d) of R.A. 11223 to evaluate the patient and identify which laboratory and/or 
diagnostic exams should be administered: Provided, further, That, upon approval of 
the PhilHealth Board, these laboratory and/or diagnostic exams shall be expanded 
subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds and the current and emerging health 
necessities of Filipinos. 
 
SECTION 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. The duration of availing of the free medical 
check-up shall be for the whole calendar year, accorded once a year, during the birth month of 
the beneficiary. PhilHealth shall establish a system to ensure that every Filipino will be 
accommodated and get the services they are entitled to. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be charged 
against the total revenue of PhilHealth, composed of premium contributions from direct 
contributors and premium subsidies of the government for the indirect contributors, of the year 
following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Health, in coordination 
with PhilHealth, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper 
implementation of this Act not later than ninety (30) days from its effectivity. 
 


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, other 
issuances, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,