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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 1869

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the country and is the primary
cause of death among Filipino women’. With one out of every 13 Filipinas expected to
develop breast cancer in her lifetime, the Philippines ranks first in breast cancer incidences
in Asia?

It is important to note, however, that breast cancer is preventable and curable.
Through early screening and detection, coupled with proper treatment, the physical,
emotional, and economic consequences of being afflicted by breast cancer can be
prevented. Thus, it is important for the State to exert all efforts to increase awareness and
assist in preventing, diagnosing, and treating breast cancer and other breast-related
ailments in the country.

This bill aims to establish a Breast Care Center in every region of the Philippines.
The Center will lead the fight against breast cancer by specializing in the diagnosis,
treatment, and follow-up of conditions affecting the breast. The Center is also directed to
conduct breast cancer awareness campaigns, information drive, and public education
programs within its region of assignment.

In line of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly spught.

+ Philip C. Tubeza. Breast cancer is the most prevalent in PH. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Available at:
http; //newsinfo.inquirernet/291078/breast-cancer-is-the-most-prevalent-in-ph (21 October 2015]

2 Inquirer.net. PH highest breast cancer incidence rate in Asia, health experts say. Available at:

http: //lifestyle,inquirer:net/128663/ph-highest-breast-cancer-incidence-rate-in-asia-health-experts-say [21
October 2015}


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HousE BILL No.4869

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN EVERY REGION
NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of Breast Care Centers. - A breast care center, known in
this Act as “Center”, shall be established in every region of this country to spearhead the
fight against breast cancer and to specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of
conditions affecting the breast. It shall be a new department in existing regional hospitals
of the National Government. Should there be no regional hospital in the region, the Center
shall be attached to any district hospital in the region, which is most accessible to the
highest number of constituents.

Sec. 2. Equipment and Personnel. - The Centers shall be provided with such
equipment, tools, implements, devices, apparatus and personnel as may be necessary for
them to carry out multiple programs such as Breast Protection, Breast Surveillance. Breast
Imaging, Breast Diagnostics and Surgery, Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Breast Cancer
Awareness and Protection.

Sec. 3. Function. - The Centers shall, in coordination with local government units,
local health offices, the Philippine Information Agency and other government agencies,
shall spearhead a sustained and extensive information and awareness campaign within
their respective region to raise the level of awareness of the region's constituents especially
the women sector on the ills, causes and symptoms of the disease for its early detection and
prevention.

‘The centers shall coordinate with regional and local education officials to ensure
that female high school students in both public and private schools are taught the pertinent
information about the disease and are trained to habitually self-examine themselves as a
part of the regular secondary curriculum.


Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Department of
Health shall issue guidelines, orders, or rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
establishment of a Center in every regional hospital of the National Government or in a
district hospital to be designated by the Secretary of Health for being the most accessible to
the highest number of constituents in a region where there is no existing regional hospital;
for the acquisition of the necessary equipment, tools, implements, devices and apparatus
for the hiring of personnel, for the fixing of reasonable fees for the services of the Centers
and to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Act.

Sec. 5. Operationalization and Appropriations. - To fully implement the provisions of
the Act, the Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's program the
operationalization of the Centers, the funding for which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,