FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1399 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill mandates the local government units (LGUs) to conduct a quarterly 
breast cancer detection program for the early prevention and cure of the disease 
among Filipino women all over the country. 
Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the country. 
One res~arch stated that one in 1,800 Filipinos will develop cancer annually. For 
every two new cases of cancer diagnoses every year, one will pass away within the 
year. Tne Philippines has the highest number of reported breast cancer incidence in 
Asia with an age standardized incidence rate (ASR) of 47.7 per 100,000 Filipino 
women. This number is higher than the numbers of some European countries like 
Spain and Italy. 
Early detection increases the cure and recovery rates. Breast self-examination 
(BSE) and mammography are some of the procedures that an individual can 
undergo. Unfortunately, only 54 percent of Filipino women perfqrm BSE and out of 
that number, only 27 percent continue to do it regularly. Mammography is not 
readily available and too expensive for most Filipino women, especially the ones 
residing in rural areas. Economic factors and fear are the two leading reasons why 
Filipino women with cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Clearly then, there 
is a need to increase the awareness and assistance in preventing, diagnosing and 
treating breast cancer among Filipino women. 
This measure directs local government units to hold quarterly manual or 
mammogram breast cancer screening programs through their respective health 
officers under the supervision of the Department of Health. The LGUs shall 
coordinate and seek the support of other health-related sectors and non-government 
organizations (NGOs) in establishing and maintaining anti-breast cancer programs. 
To ensure proper dissemination, promotional and advocacy programs will utilize 
existing forms of media communications such as public service announcements in 
radio and television and information pamphlets. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~REN 
LE~'::::' .:-=-= 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SEN'1.'3§S 
S.B.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO CONDUCT A 
QUARTERLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Breast Cancer Detection 
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Act of 2010." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
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that health is a basic human right that must be enjoyed by all its citizens and that the 
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government shall endeavor to prevent and control diseases among population at 
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risk; and treats, manages and rehabilitates individuals affected by disease and 
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disability. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
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mean: 
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a), Breast Cancer Detection, Breast Screening Program, Program - the breast 
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examination program 
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b) Infiltrating/invasive ductal carcinoma - malignant cancerous growth 
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c) Local Government Units - the municipal, city or provincial government 
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units of the Philippines 
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d) Breast Surgery - the removal of breast/ s 
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e) Radiotherapy - the application of x-ray in destroying cancer cells in the 
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body 
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f) Chemotherapy - the administration of medicines to destroy cancer cells the 
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Philippines 
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SEC. 4. Screening Program. - The Local Government Units are hereby 
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directed, through its local health officers and in close coordination with the 
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Department of Health, to hold a quarterly manual or mammogram breast cancer-
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screening program. 
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The 
Program 
will 
utilize 
the 
services 
of 
the 
Barangay / 
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Municipal/City /Provincial Health Workers in identifying breast cancer cases and 
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positive cases will be immediately referred to public health hospitals for treatment, 
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management and rehabilitation. The Health Workers concerned shall then maintain 
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a case record on each individual found positive of breast cancer. 
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SEC. 5. Linkages and Support from Other Sectors. - Appropriate linkages, 
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coordination and support with health-related sectors and non-government 
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organizations with anti-breast cancer programs shall be established and maintained. 
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SEC. 6. Advocacy. - Promotional and advocacy activities of the Program will 
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make use of the existing forms of media communications such as public service 
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announcements in radio and television, public fora and the generation of pamphlets 
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for dissemination to target clientele. Commitments from partner agencies in the 
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form of cost-sharing arrangements will be enjoined to ensure success of the 
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Program. 
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SEC. 7. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The LGUs in coordination with the 
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Department of Health and partner agencies should constantly assess the Program by 
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way of periodic/ spot reporting and inter-LGU field visits for submission to the 
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Department of Health. 
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SEC. 8. Allocation of Funds. - The amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(PlOO,OOO.OO) for Provincial Government, Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (P7S,OOO.OO) 
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for the City Government and Fifty Thousand Pesos (PSO,OOO.OO) shall be earmarked 
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annually from the respective Internal Revenue Allotment of these local government 
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units concerned for the implementation of this Program. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any part or provision of this Act be 
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not otherwise 
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affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees and other 
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executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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