SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2798 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'15 
JUN -3 P 3 :15 
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES 
TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE 
ACQUIRED BONE MARROW F AlLURE DISEASES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: "The State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
The bone marrow failure in both children and adults can either be inherited or 
acquired. However, in children, inherited bone marrow failure is often the cause. On the 
other hand, older children acquire the disease at an older age.' 
People who work with chemicals such as benzene, which is derived from coal and 
petroleum and found in gasoline and other fuels, could reportedly be a factor in causing 
the illness. Other factors include radiation or chemotherapy treatments and immuue 
system problems? 
Thus, this bill directs the Secretary of the Department of Health to conduct pilot 
studies to determine the environmental factors which may cause acquired bone marrow 
failure diseases.3 
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I "Bone Marrow Failure In Children". Drug Information Online, Drugs.com. 
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3 This bill is based on H.R. 1230 filed by U.S. Representative Doris Matsui during the lllth 
Congress, 2nd Session. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No·_2798 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
'15 
JUN -3 P 3 :15 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES 
3 
TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE 
4 
ACQUIRED BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASES 
5 
SECTION L Pilot Studies. - The Secretary of Health shall conduct pilot studies to 
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determine which environmental factors, including exposure to toxins, may cause acquired 
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bone marrow failure diseases. 
8 
SECTION 2. Programs on Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Diseases. -
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(a) Iriformation and Referral Services.-
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(1) In General. - Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity 
11 
of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall establish and coordinate outreach and 
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infonnational programs targeted to minority populations affected by acquired bone 
13 
marrow failure diseases. 
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(2) Program Requirements. -
Outreach and infonnational programs 
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authorized by this Act: 
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(A) shall make infonnation about treatment options and clinical 
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trials for acquired bone marrow failure diseases publicly available, and 
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(B) shall provide referral services for treatment options and clinical 
2 
trials by means of the Department of Health's website and through 
3 
appropriate programs. 
4 
(b) Grants and Cooperative Agreements. -
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(1) In General. - Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity 
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of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative 
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agreements with, entities to perform research on acquired bone marrow failure 
8 
diseases. 
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(2) Requirement. - Grants and cooperative agreements authorized by this 
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subsection shall be awarded or entered into on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. 
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(3) Scope of Research. - Research funded under this Act shall examine 
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factors affecting the incidence of acquired bone marrow failure diseases in 
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minority populations. 
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(c) Definition. - In this Act, the term "acquired bone marrow failure disease" 
15 
means myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); aplastic anemia; paroxysmal nocturnal 
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hemoglobinuria (PNH); pure red cell aplasia; acute myeloid leukemia that has progressed 
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from myelodysplastic syndromes; large granular lymphocytic leukemia; or any other 
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bone marrow failure disease specified by the Secretary of Health, to the extent such 
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disease is acquired and not inherited, as determined by the Secretary. 
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SECTION 3. Diagnosis and Quality of Care for Acquired Bone Marrow Failure 
21 
Diseases.-
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(a) Grants. - The Secretary of Health shall award grants to entities to improve 
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diagnostic practices and quality of care with respect to patients with acquired bone 
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marrow failure diseases. 
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SECTION 4. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this 
2 
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each 
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fiscal year. 
4 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
5 
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
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or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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