HOUSE OF REPRESENT:
RECEIVE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

BILLS AND INOEX Si

HOUSE BILL not 482

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon Ill

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill mandates the Department of Health and all other medical or health
institutions to conduct and make available immunization and vaccination at a faster
frequency and access. At present, while immunization and vaccination are done all over the
country, it is on a time-based: quarterly in far-flung areas and monthly in barangay health
stations. This measure was previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 15! Congress

Passage of this bill is earnestly sought now in the 17" Congress

HARLI J. ABAYON IIL
Representative

Party-List AANGAT TAYO

RVI



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1482

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon Ili

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION OF THR CONSTITUTIONAL
PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH,
THROUGH THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE
VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO
INFANTS, AND CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section |. The citizen’s right to health is a fundamental guarantee ensconced in the
supreme law. It is a declared policy thus that “the State shall protect and promote the right to
heaith of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have become expensive and
has not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby declared that the same should be made
available for free administration and comprehensively adopted as a program of sdcial justice.

SECTION 2. The Department of Health through all government hospitals, its satellite offices,

accredited government clinics and medical institutions shall provide for free the following
vaccinations and immunizations for infants and children:

Hepatitis B;

DPT ~ diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough);
H. Influenza type b;

Polio (Salk injected):

Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis);

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles);

Varicella (Chicken pox)

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Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of religious belief
that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical reasons which are certified by
a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other valid reason that may be advanced by the
parents of the infant or child, as necessary. Provided, further, that a certain day of week must
be devoted for immunization and vaccination in all local government unit health centers,


Section 3. The Department of Health in consultation with the national association of
Pediatrics and recognized experts of the private sectors, non-governmental associations and
Peoples” organizations and academe on child health and care, children’s rights and parental
Suidance, shall issue the relevant rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
Act.

Section 4. The amount of One Billion Pesos (P 1,000,000,000. 00) annually to
implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free immunization and
vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in the budget of the Department of
Health in the General Appropriations Act

One percent (1%) of all earnings made by the government-owned and controlled
Corporations shall be collected and to form part of the fund that may be used for the purpose

Section 5. If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Section 6. All executive issuance, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are~
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

ction 7, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,