FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —).
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__1636

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Many compounds found or introduced into the environment by human
activity are capable of disrupting the hormone system of humans and animals.
The consequences of such disruption can be profound because of the crucial
role hormones play in controlling development. No standardized and validated
screens or tests have been developed to routinely and systematically assess
chemicals for disruptive effects on hormone systems.

The country for so many decades has experienced an increase in the
incidence of such human disorders as childhood cancers, testicular cancer,
hypospadias, juvenile diabetes, attention deficit-like hyperactivity disorders,
autism, thyroid disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, and auto-
immune disorders. Exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals may be
contributing to this increased incidence of human disorders. Hence, the impact
on children’s health as a result of prenatal exposures in particular needs further
research.

Hormone disruption can occur at very low doses, especially when
exposure occurs in the womb or immediately after birth, periods during which
rapid development is occurring. Unfortunately, our country lacks the necessary
research on this phenomenon and unless timely action be resorted to, there is
no way of determining how the impacts of the same could be judiciously and
crucially addressed.

The purpose of this measure is to establish regional multidisciplinary
centers regarding women’s health and disease prevention and to conduct a
research program on hormone disruption, precisely to prevent if not completely


resolve the apparent onslaught of diseases brought about by hormone
disruption.

Through these centers, the effects of hormone disruption will be
addressed; hence, preventing possible diseases which many women and their
children suffer.

Hence, immediate passage of the bill is eamestly sought.

RUFUS B. RO! UEZ

Via

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and

Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

No___ 1636

House

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTERS REGARDING
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONDUCTING A
RESEARCH PROGRAM ON HORMONE DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the “Environmental
Health Research Act of 2010.”

SEC 2. Establishment of Multidisciplinary Research Centers
regarding Women’s Health and Disease Prevention-

(a)

In General- There shall be established Regional
Multidisciplinary Research Centers whose purpose is to
conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental factors
that may be related to the development of women's health
conditions. The centers, to be placed in major regional
government or public hospitals, shall be under the
management and supervision of a Director, who shall be
appointed by the President on the basis of his or her at least
ten (10) years of extensive experience as a medical
Practitioner or researcher in the field and earned
management abilities from some reliable institution

Said director shall report directly to the Secretary of Health,
and coordinate with concerned local government units whose
task primarily is to detail personnel who may assist in the
many functions discharged by said centers.

(b) Research, Training, and Information and Education -


1) IN GENERAL - Each center under subsection (a) shall, with respect to
the purpose described in such subsection-

(A) conduct basic and clinical research;

(8) develop protocols for training physicians, scientists, nurses,
and other health and allied health professionals;

(C) conduct training programs for such individuals;

(0) develop model continuing education programs for such
professionals; and

(E) disseminate information to such professionals and the public.

(2) PRIORITY FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES- In carrying out
the activities described in paragraph (1), each center under subsection
{a) shall give priority to activities that are directed toward preventing the
development in women of the diseases and conditions involved.

(c) Collaboration with Community- Each center under subsection (a) shall
establish and maintain ongoing collaborations with community organizations in
the geographic area served by the center, including those that represent
women with disorders that appear to stem from environmental factors and the
health concerns of their offspring

(d) Coordination of Centers; Reports - The Director shall, as appropriate,
provide for the coordination of information among centers under subsection (a)
and ensure regular communication between such centers.

(e) Structure of Center- Each center assisted under subsection (a) shall use the
facilities of a single regional public hospital, or be formed from a consortium of
cooperating .institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by
the Secretary of Health.

(f) Duration of Support- Support of a center under subsection (a) may be for a
period not exceeding five (5) years. Such period may be extended for one (1)
of more additional periods not exceeding 5 years, if the operations of such
center have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific peer
review group established by the Director and if such group has recommended
to the Director that such period should be extended.

SEC 3. Research on Hormone Disruption. - The Director shall also
establish within the regional centers, a comprehensive program to—


(A) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the health of
women and children through disruption of the hormone systems;

(B) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting
chemicals in the environment and their effects on ecological and wildlife health;

(C) coordinate the design of a multi-agency research initiative on

hormone disruption; and

(D) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the Philippines with
such research conducted in other nations.

The program established under this section shall provide for the

following

A)

(B)

(©)

@i)

(ii)

Collection, compilation, publication, and dissemination
of scientifically valid information on-

possible human health effects of hormone-
disrupting chemicals, with emphasis on exposures
to low doses of individual chemicals and chemical
mixtures during critical life stages of development,
particularly effects of prenatal exposures on
children's health;

the extent of human exposure to hormone-
disrupting chemicals, with particular emphasis on
exposures during critical life stages of development
and in residential and occupational settings;

and exposure of wildlife species to hormone-
disrupting chemicals and possible health effects
associated with such exposures.

Research on mechanisms by which hormone-disrupting
substances interact with biological systems.

Research on improved in vitro and in vivo methods to

screen

and test hormone disruption.

(D) Research on the identity, levels, transport, and fate of

hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment.

SEC 4. Appropriations. - For the purpose of carrying out this Act, they
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal

years 2008 through 2010.


SEC 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting,

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.