Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Brit no. 663

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan and
Rep. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY
ESTABLISHING A PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION,
PROVIDING FOR A HEALTH PROMOTION FUND AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) affect people from all walks of life, and
in all parts of the world. The epidemic of NCDs poses devastating health
consequences for individuals, families and communities. Prevention and control of
these diseases are a major development imperative for the 2ist century. NCDs
continue to cause the highest disease burden worldwide.

The impact of NCDs grew from causing 61% of global deaths in 2000 to
causing 74% in 2019. Four major NCDs collectively killed about 33.3 million people
in 2019, a 28% increase compared to 2000. These major NCDs are cardiovascular
disease (17.9 million) cancer (9.3 million) chronic respiratory disease (4.1 million)
and diabetes (2.0 million).

NCDs are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental
and behavioral factors. Modifiable behavioral risk factors include harmful use of
alcohol, tobacco use, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet. Metabolic risk
factors include raised blood pressure, overweight and obesity, hyperglycemia (high
blood glucose levels), and hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood).

The alarming increase in the incidence of degenerative and lifestyle diseases
is a pressing concern of the population. In the Philippines, the top three causes of
death in the country from January to May of 2023 were ischaemic heart diseases,
neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases. From January to May of 2023, ischaemic
heart diseases were the leading cause of death with 44,770 cases or 19.3 percent
of the total deaths in the country. On the other hand, Neoplasms came in second
with 24,066 deaths (10.4% share). Cerebrovascular diseases were the third leading
cause which accounted for 23,951 recorded cases (10.3% share) from January to
May 2023. Deaths due to diabetes mellitus recorded 14,416 cases or 6.2 percent
share, making it the fourth leading cause of death, while deaths due to Pneumonia,
which ranked fifth, recorded 13,462 cases or 5.8 percent share.?

The Philippine Constitution enshrines the right to health of every Filipino.
Article I, Section 15 specifically provided, that, "The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.”

' World Health Statistics 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals
Iu
2025 Causes of Death in the Philippines. Philippine Statistics Authority


Traditionally, funds for health care have been spent more on treating the sick
than on keeping the population healthy. However, promoting health and preventing
diseases is as important as curative treatment. As the famous Benjamin Franklin
said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

This measure is in line with the Healthy Pilipinas campaign of the Department
of Health which encompasses a vast range of positive health impacts to holistically
promote and shift the behavior of Filipinos in practicing preventive measures
advocating healthy lifestyle. To better assist the government in this effort, the
people must be empowered and enabled to take action to improve their health.
Health promotion and disease prevention would entail and require the creation of
supportive environments as well as the strengthening of community actions.

The concept of health promotion has been tried and tested in many
countries, including but not limited to Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, and
Thailand. Notably, since the creation of ThaiHealth in 2001, the implementation of
its health promotion activities has made significant impacts on major risk factors
such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Indeed, it has greatly contributed to the
improved health and wellness of the Thai people. This too is envisioned for the
Filipino population.

Towards this end, there is a need to create a central agency with adequate
and sustainable financing, as well as some degree of financial independence, to
fully undertake health promotion activities such as health education, social
mobilization and advocacy. This bill, therefore, proposes the creation of the
Philippine Center for Health Promotion to undertake the implementation of
programs geared towards the improvement of the health of Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.

KEITH MJCAH “ATTY. MIKE” D.L. TAN IRIS MARIE D. MONTES

h District, Quezon Kababaihan Kabalikatan para so Kapakanan
‘at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 663

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.
Rep. Iris Marie D. Montes

Tan and

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY
ESTABLISHING A PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION,
PROVIDING FOR A HEALTH PROMOTION FUND AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Healthy Pilipinas Act".

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them. It shail ensure that people are empowered to increase
control over their health for purposes of improved health in general. Toward this
end, the State shall endeavor to provide adequate health information and
promotion that will help people improve their health.

Towards this end, the State shall provide a comprehensive and coordinated
approach to health promotion specifically by building healthy public policies,
creating supportive environments, strengthening community actions; developing
personal skills; and reorienting health services.

Recognizing the health inequities that exist, it shall be the policy of the State to
be sensitive to the needs of the youth, women, poor, elderly, disabled, and
marginalized sectors.

In view thereof, the State shall ensure coherence and coordination among
government agencies in the development and implementation of health promotion
policies, plans, and programs.

It shall also be the policy of the State to systematically integrate the concept of
health promotion in various phases of policy formulation, development plans,
poverty reduction strategies, and other development tools and techniques by all
agencies and instrumentalities of the government.

Further, it shall be the policy of the state to enjoin the participation of national
and focal governments, civil society organizations, academe, local communities,
and the private sector, to achieve health promotion goals.

SEC. 3. Purpose. - This Act aims to:

(a) Establish a Philippine Center for Health Promotion to develop a national
framework for health promotion;


(b) Establish a Health Promotion Fund; c) Increase awareness of healthy
lifestyle choices to reduce the incidence and impact of chronic diseases;

(d) Enhance early detection and management of common and preventable
health conditions;

(e) Improve access to quality healthcare services and resources;
(f) Foster a community environment that supports health and wellness; and

(9) Mainstream health through population-based approaches in public policy,
plans, and programs of government agencies and various sectors.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act,

(a) Council refers to the Philippine Health Promotion Council which shail be the
governing body of the Center;

(b) Center refers to the Philippine Center for Health Promotion established under
this Act;

(c) Conflict of Interest refers to any circumstance under which a person by
virtue of financial or other personal interest, past, present or potential, directly or
indirectly, may be influenced or appear to be influenced by any motive or desire for
personal advantage other than the interests of public health;

(d) Gender transformative health promotion refers to a framework that focuses
on the dual goals of improving health as well as gender equity;

(e) Health Promotion refers to any act that is aimed at fostering a person's
physical behaviors, social conditions and environments conducive to physical
strength, a firm mental condition, a tong life and a good quality of life;

(f) Mainstreaming refers to the integration of policies and measures that address
health into development planning and sectoral decision-making. It is a strategy for
making health and wellness an integral dimension of the design, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economic,
environmental and societal spheres so that the right to health is protected. It is the
process of assessing the implications for health of any planned action, including
legislation, policies, or programs in all areas and at alll levels; and

(9) Population-based approach/intervention refers to assessing the health care
needs of a specific population and making health care decisions for the population
as a whole rather than for individuals. It focuses on the entire population, is
grounded in an assessment of community health, considers broad health
determinants, emphasizes health promotion and prevention, and intervenes at
multiple levels.

ARTICLE II
CREATION OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION

SEC. 5. Creation of the Philippine Center for Health Promotion. - The Philippine
Center for Health Promotion, hereinafter referred to as the Center, is hereby
created as an agency attached to the Department of Health for policy and program
coordination.

The Center shal! oversee an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
promotion in the Philippines. It shall be the leading body, which shall be tasked to


coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government
in order to ensure the mainstreaming of health into the national, sectoral, and local
development plans and programs pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

It shall also serve as the research and administrative arm of the Philippine
Health Promotion Council created under Section 9 of this Act.

SEC. 6. Functions and Duties of the Center. - The Center shall have the following
functions and duties:

(a) To develop a comprehensive and integrated research program that will
provide the research materials and studies required for the formulation of health
promotion development plans and policies.

(b) To serve as the common link between the government and the existing
research institutions and to provide a forum wherein various health research
studies are discussed and evaluated;

(c) To conduct and undertake health research requested by the Council, and
other government agencies and to arrange for research to be conducted by other
research institutions and individuals, locally and abroad;

(d) To establish a repository of health information research and other related
activities;

(e) To increase public awareness of health policies, programs and plans through
educational activities, advertisements, conventions, and seminars to promote
healthy living;

(f) To create an enabling environment that shall promote broader
multistakeholder participation in promoting health, prevention and early detection
of illness, encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting community-based
activities;

(g) To promote and provide technical and financial support to local research and
development programs and projects about promoting good health, safety or
prevention of diseases and accidents;

(h) To monitor and assess the implementation of laws and policies on health,
including the implementation of international conventions;

(i) To coordinate the activities of, and strengthen working relationships between
government and non-government agencies involved in the implementation of health
promotion programs;

(j) To provide mechanisms of assistance to ensure the mainstreaming of health
and the development of institutional capabilities for health mainstreaming in
government agencies, including the development of a comprehensive long-term
funding strategy for health promotions;

(k) To convene panels of advisers and technical experts as necessary to ensure
representation of all sectors in the development of policies, programs, and plans;

(1) To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Executive Director and Other Officers. - The Center shall be headed by
an Executive Director with the rank of an Undersecretary who shall be a citizen of
the Philippines, of good moral character, of unquestionable integrity, with at least


five (5) years of administrative experience in undertaking or leading health
promotions activities.

The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Council from a list of at least
three (3) nominees prepared by a Selection Committee created by the Council and
chaired by any of its members.

The Executive Director shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years, which
must be covered by a Performance Contract between the Center and the Executive
Director.

Said contract may be pre-terminated by the Council for failure or unsatisfactory
performance of his or her responsibilities. The Executive Director may also be
removed from office due to serious misconduct, gross and habitual neglect of
duties, fraud or willful breach of trust, commission of a crime or offense and other
causes analogous to the foregoing, as provided under the Administrative Code of
1987, the Revised Penal Code and other special laws, rules and regulations.

The Executive Director shall be assisted by such Assistant Director(s) and
program managers/coordinators as the Council may determine to carry out the
purposes and objectives of this Act.

SEC. 8. Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Executive Director. - The Executive
Director shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) To exercise overall supervision and direction over the implementation of all
programs of the Center, and to supervise and direct the management, operation
and administration of the Center;

(b) To execute contracts, including deeds that may incur obligations, acquire
and dispose of assets and deliver documents on behalf of the Center, within the
limits of authority delegated to him by the Council;

(c) To implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and regulations
adopted by the Council;

(d) To submit to the Council an annual report of the Center;

(e) To submit to the Council an annual budget and such supplemental budget as
may be necessary for its consideration and approval;

(f) To submit for consideration of the Council the policies and measures which
he/she believes to be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this
Act;

(g) Submit quarterly reports to the Council on personnel selection, placement
and training; and

(h) To exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties
as may be authorized or assigned by the Council.

SEC. 9. Establishment of the Philippine Health Promotion Council. - For a
focused and harmonized implementation of the National Strategic Framework and
Program on Health Promotion and the provisions of this Act, and to catalyze,
provide leadership, and proactively engage stakeholders in health promotion, there
is hereby created a Philippine Health Promotion Council, otherwise known as the
Council.

The Council, which shall be constituted within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act shall have the following composition:


(a) Secretary of Health -ex-officio Chairperson;
(b) Permanent Representatives of the following offices as ex-officio members;

(1)Department of Finance;

(2) Department of Education;

(3) Commission on Higher Education;
(4)Department of science and Technology;

(5) Department of Interior and Local Government;
(6)Department of Labor and Employment;

(7) National Economic and Development Authority;
(8) Department of Social Welfare and Development;
(9)Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
(10) Department of Agriculture;

(11) Philippine Information Agency;

(12) National Nutrition Council;

(13) Philippine Sports Commission;

(14) League of Provinces

(c) Nine (9) expert representatives representing various fields and sectors, to
wit:

(1) Academe;

(2) Health Promotion (NGO);
(3) | Mass communication/Media;
(4) Sports;

(5) Dentistry;

(6) Mental Health;

(7) Medicine;

(8) Alternative Medicine; and
(9) Environment

Provided, that the expert representatives shall elect among themselves who
shall act as Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

The expert representatives must be Filipino citizens, residents of the Philippines,
at least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of appointment, with at least ten
(10) year experience in their respective field of expertise, and of proven honesty
and integrity.

The expert representatives shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines
from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by their respective groups. They shall
serve for a term of three (3) years without reappointment. Appointment to any
vacancy shall only be for the unexpired term of the predecessor.

Ex-officio members of the Council may designate their respective alternates who
shall at least be an Assistant Secretary in rank and their acts shall be considered
the acts of their principal.

SEC. 10. Functions and Duties of the Council. - The Philippine Health Promotion
Council shall perform the following functions:

(a) To develop and update the national health promotion policy framework and
action plan, through the adoption of population-based approaches and employment
of key strategies such as policy advocacy and research, law enforcement,
information, education, mass communication/social media and social mobilization,
and monitoring their implementation;


(b) To define and approve the programs, plans, policies, procedures and
guidelines for the Center in accordance with its purposes and objectives, and to
control the management, operation and administration of the Center;

(c) To approve the Center's organizational structure, staffing pattern, operating
and capital expenditure, and financial budgets prepared in accordance with the
corporate plan of the Center;

(4) To approve and fix the compensation, benefits, privileges, bonuses and other
terms and conditions of service for all officers and employees of the Center, upon
recommendation of the Executive Director;

(e) To appoint, transfer, promote, suspend, remove or otherwise discipline any
subordinate officer or employee of the Center, upon recommendation of the
Executive Director;

(f) To create such committee or committees and appoint members thereof, as
may be necessary or proper for the management of the Center or for the
attainment of its purposes and objectives;

(g) To determine the priorities of the Center consistent with the framework of its
purposes and objectives and in coordination with other government agencies; and

(h) To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes and objectives of the Center.

SEC. 11. Meetings; Quorum. - The Council shall meet at least once every
quarter for the conduct of its business, or as often as may be deemed necessary,
upon the call of the Chairperson. The presence of at least thirteen (13) members
shall constitute a quorum, and the majority vote of the members present, there
being a quorum, shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution, decision or
any other act of the Council.

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Council, provided, That in
the event the Chairperson cannot preside the meeting, the Vice-Chairperson shall
undertake such function.

The Center shall maintain and preserve a complete record of the
proceedings/minutes of the Council which can be made available to the public.

SEC. 12. Remuneration and Allowances. - The government sector
representatives in the Council shall not be entitled to compensation in the discharge
of their functions but they shall be entitled to reimbursement of any reasonable
expenses incurred in the performance of their functions. Private sector
representatives shall be entitled to honoraria or allowances for the expenses
incurred in the discharge of their functions as members of the Council.

SEC. 13. Removal from Office. - The following are grounds for removal of any
member of the Council:

(a) The member suffers from physical or mental incapacity that renders him or
her incapable of properly discharging the duties and responsibilities of membership
in the Council and such incapacity has lasted for more than six (6) months;

(b) The member has committed acts or operations that are shown prima facie to
be fraudulent or illegal or manifestly opposed to the aims and interests of the
Center;

(c) The member no longer possesses the qualifications specified in this Act; or


(d) The member is subsequently disqualified under the provisions of existing
laws.

SEC. 14. Conflict of Interest. - The members of the Council, the Executive
Director, other officers and employees should not have any conflict of interest that
may compromise his/her participation in the activities or the decision of the Center.
‘A member of the Council who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly,
interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Council, must as soon as
practicable after the relevant facts have come to his or her knowledge, declare the
fact and the nature and extent of the interest, in writing to the Chairperson, before
the meeting of the of the Council and inhibit himself during the deliberations when
such matter is taken up. The decision taken on the matter shall be made public and
the minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made and the inhibition of
the member concerned.

No Council member, Executive Director, other officers and employees of the
Center should have any direct or indirect engagement with the tobacco, e-
cigarettes, Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) and alcohol industry, in accordance
with existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 15. National Strategic Framework and Program on Health Promotion, - The
Center, shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a
National Strategic Framework on Health Promotion in consultation with the
Department of Health. The Framework shail serve as the basis for health promotion
planning, research and development, monitoring of activities, and financing, to
promote health behavior and shall be aligned with the framework of the
Department of Health.

The National Strategic Framework and Program shali be gender transformative
and shall include, but not limited to, the following major components:

(a) DRIVE - includes physical activity and fitness, sports activities;
(b) DIET - includes nutrition and healthy eating;

(c) DETER - includes prevention of smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption and
drug use;

(d) DETECT - includes health screening and disease prevention; and
(e) DEVELOP -includes health education and resources.

The Framework shall be reviewed every three (3) years, or as may be deemed
necessary.

ARTICLE III
HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR

SEC. 16. Role of Government Agencies. - The following government agencies
shall perform the herein roles in mainstreaming health promotion and integrate
specific health promotion functions in their mandates as provided and submit
recommendations to the Center on Health Promotion on a regular basis or as the
need arises.

(a) The Department of Education (DepEd) shall recognize physical and mental
health consciousness as a key aspect of basic education and integrate health
promotion and health risk consciousness into the primary and secondary education


curricula and/or subjects such as health information, and navigation through the
health service delivery system;

Public and private schools shall devote at least fifteen (15) minutes of class time
per week for health promotion education and shall assign school nurses to provide
health promotion education in accordance with modules to be developed by the
Center.

In the absence of a school nurse, the school may request nurses from the
respective rural health units of the local government unit concerned.

(b) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local
Government Academy, in coordination with the Center and other concerned
agencies, shall facilitate the development and provision of a capacity-building
program for LGUs in health promotion;

(c) The Department of Health (DOH) shall ensure that health service providers
shall incorporate population-based health promotion in their health services. The
DOH, in cooperation with the Center, shall ensure sufficient technical resources to
allow it to undertake health impact assessments for policies coming from different
sectors. It shall also ensure that its health information management system and
network shall include information needed to undertake health promotion strategies;

(d) The National Nutrition Council (NNC) shall develop capacity-building
programs for nutrition programs for local government units, other government
agencies and the private sector, promote good nutrition through information
campaigns and provision of dietary guidelines and recommendations, and monitor
and evaluate nutrition programs and interventions and conduct nutrition
surveillance;

(e) The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall develop
individual-based benefit packages for comprehensive early detection of diseases
targeted at promoting weliness and reducing hospital admissions;

(f) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on
health promotion in accordance with the national strategic framework;

(g) The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in coordination with the National Nutrition
Council, shall promote, assist and, where appropriate, undertake scientific and
technological research development, projections and analysis of nutrition and
health behavior, in coordination with LGUs in priority/target monitoring sites, for
the benefit of agriculture, trade and industry and in other areas of the country's
development. The DOST shail also submit recommendations to the Center regularly
or as soon as necessary to promote health;

(h) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall
incorporate health promotion in the development and implementation of social
protection and poverty-reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged to provide a more holistic approach to improving quality of life;

(i) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) shall establish programs and undertake measures to promote
and give priority to healthy food products in the market as well as provide policies
on sufficient health information on products to -help consumers make informed
choices;

(j) Department of Agriculture (DA) shall include food safety in its core mandate
and integrate in its plans and programs measures to promote health and safe food


including the promotion of urban gardening, and ensure food access to healthy
agricultural products and availability and accessibility of organic produce to
consumers;

(k) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall
integrate health promotion and education and training on climate change programs,
promulgate policies that prioritize clean air and water, sustainable land
management and conservation efforts, and conduct awareness campaigns about
links between environmental factors, and human health and advocate for policies to
mitigate environmental hazards;

(1) The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shal! include safety and wellness as an
integral part of its mandate, develop programs that would ensure the safety of all
road users including pedestrians, and ensure that its infrastructure plans include
those that encourage physical activity and mental wellness of citizens such as parks
and bike lanes;

(n) Government financial institutions, except Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP),
any provision in their respective charters to the contrary notwithstanding, shall
provide preferential financial packages for health promotion-related projects. In
consultation with the BSP, they shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of
this Act, issue and promulgate the implementing guidelines therefore.

SEC. 17. Role of LGUs. - The Local Government Units shall be responsible for the
formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the local health
promotion plan in their respective jurisdiction, consistent with the national strategic
framework.

Barangays shall be directly involved with the municipal and city governments in
prioritizing health promotion issues and in identifying and implementing best
practices and other solutions. Provincial governments shall provide technical
assistance, in support of municipal and city health promotion plans. LGUs shall
regularly update their respective action plans to reflect changing social, economic,
and health conditions and emerging issues. The LGUs shall furnish the Center with
copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications and
revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption. The LGUs shall
mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources, and logistics to effectively
implement their respective plans.

The local chief executives shall appoint a focal person to lead the formulation,
implementation and monitoring of the local health promotion plan. The Center shall
extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their
health promotion plans.

SEC. 18. Role of Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector. - Civil
Society Organizations as well as community-based organizations (CBOs) shall be
encouraged to undertake health promotion programs within the national framework
and plan.

The private sector is encouraged to support the health promotion activities of
CSOs and CBOs and to contribute in promoting and implementing the national
strategy and framework plan.

The center shall formulate funding support for the health promotion programs
organized by CSOs and CBOs.

SEC. 19. Corporate Social Responsibility. - All registered businesses are
encouraged to develop health promotion programs such as wellness programs for


their employees, sponsoring community health events or supporting local
healthcare initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility.

All expenses incurred by any corporation in the exercise of its corporate social
responsibility related to health promotion shall be fully deducted from its gross
income in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997, as amended.

SEC. 20. Coordination with Various Sectors. - In the development and
implementation of the national framework and plan, and the local action plans, the
Center shall consult and coordinate with the non-government organizations (NGOs),
civic organizations, academe, people's organizations, the private and corporate
sectors, and other concerned stakeholder groups.

SEC. 21. Health Promotion in Government Agencies. ~ Ali government agencies
shall:

(a) Designate focal persons to accelerate health promotion within their offices;

(b) Monitor the health status of all personnel within their respective agencies;
and

(c) Submit an annual report to Congress on the implementation of health
promotion programs and activities in accordance with the guidelines to be issued;

SEC. 22. Public information. - Government networks shall devote an aggregate
of two (2) minutes of airtime during prime time to provide public service
announcements for health promotion within the communication plan embodied in
the national framework.

The private sector, including privately owned radio/TV networks and websites,
and cinemas is encouraged to promote effective health promotion messages in
accordance with the national plan by contributing air-time.

ARTICLE IV
THE HEALTH PROMOTION FUND.

SEC. 23. Health Promotion Fund. - To implement the provisions of this Act, there
is hereby created a Health Promotion Fund, which shall be used exclusively for the
programs, plans, projects and activities of the Center to fulfill the objectives of this
Act.

SEC. 24. Source of Fund. - Upon the effectivity of this Act and every year
thereafter, two percent (2%) of the remaining incremental revenues allocated for
health pursuant to Republic Act 10351 shall be earmarked for the Health Promotion
Fund.

Provided, That additional funding requirements may be made in the Annual
General Appropriations Act as determined by Congress.

SEC. 25. Uses of the Fund - The fund shall be used to support the health
promotion plan and activities of the Center such as, but not limited to:

(a) Supporting the inter-agency and inter-sectoral collaboration for preventive
measures and planning;

(b) Promoting supportive environments that affect health;

(c) Promoting preventive care and prevention of non-communicable diseases;


(d) Research and evaluation of health promotion policies and strategies;
(e) Mass media campaigns; and
(f) Augmenting support and resources for local health workers

SEC. 26. Community Participation. - To promote social mobilization, civil society
organizations not affiliated with the tobacco and alcohol industry and other
commercial interests shall be encouraged to tap the health promotion fund which
shall be exclusively used to monitor and report on health promotion activities, to
undertake health promotion activities at the community level, and to conduct
related research.

The fund, however, shall not be utilized and/or expended for capital-related
expenditures. Provided, That the concerned civil society organizations meet the
minimum criteria: Registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
other national government agencies empowered by law to register organizations,
financial viability, suitability of the organizational structure and competence of
manpower complement, successful track record in the community and/or field of
expertise, non-existence of conflict of interest and nepotism, and legitimacy and
commitment to public service.

Provided, further, That compliance with rules on proper reporting and audit
procedure required by existing laws and guidelines be strictly observed.

SEC. 27 . Automatic Appropriation and Release of the Fund. - The funds referred
to in Section 24 of this Act shall be appropriated in the annual General
Appropriations Act and released automatically in favor of the Philippine Center for
Health Promotion.

SEC. 28. Audit. - All funds under the management and control of the Center
shall be subject to an internal and external audit to be done as follows:

(a) Internal Audit -There shall be an internal audit with respect to the finance,
accounting and procurement of the Center, with a corresponding audit report for
the submission to the Council, at least once a year.

For purposes of internal audit, there shall be an official of the Center acting as
an internal auditor with direct accountability to the Council, in accordance with the
regulations prescribed by the Council. The Center shall prepare a financial
statement, which must include at least a balance sheet and an operation account to
be submitted to the auditor within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the
end of each accounting year.

(b) External Audit -At an interval of every year, the Commission on Audit shall
appraise the utilization and disposition of funds and property of the Center in
accordance with existing laws and guidelines.

SEC. 29. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts,
Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. - The Center may solicit, negotiate with,
and receive from any public or private domestic or foreign sources, legacies, gifts,
donations, grants, endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership
and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the
benefit of the Center which shall all be part of the special account in the general
fund managed by the Bureau of Treasury.

The Council shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use,
maintenance, safekeeping, and compliance with the terms and conditions, if any, of


said donations, grants, endowments, contributions of transfers in accordance with
pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 30. Tax Incentives. - Any donation, contribution, grant, in cash or in kind,
whether local or foreign, which may be made by individuals and organizations,
including private entities, which shall provide the appropriate services, technology,
facilities, materials and other inputs, and other delivery support services for health
promotion, shall be exempt from donor's tax and the cost of which shall be
considered as an allowable deduction form the gross income of the donor in
accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
amended.

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 31. Annual Report. - The Council shall submit to the Office of the President,
and to both Houses of Congress, within the first quarter of every year, an annual
performance report and a report on the utilization of the health promotion fund.

SEC. 32. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the operation of the Center
shall be charged to the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 33. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 34. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, and other executive issuances which are not consistent with or
contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 35. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,