Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN 
EVERY REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer among Asian 
countries, and the 9th highest in the world today.1  According to the Philippine 
Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), three out of 100 Filipino women can 
develop breast cancer before they reach the age of 75. It is further reported 
that breast cancer accounts for 16 percent of all cancer incidence in the 
country, and eight percent of all cancer-related deaths.2 
Cancer experts and advocates have also warned that the Philippines 
had the lowest survival rate of people with breast cancer among 15 Asia 
countries in Asia3. 
Despite this, hope is not lost. It is noteworthy that the number of breast 
cancer survivors is increasing worldwide due to intensified awareness 
campaigns and early screening that helps detect the disease during its 
curable stage. The challenge now is for us to replicate these efforts in hopes 
of helping Filipino breast cancer patients in dealing with such disease. 
1 Argenal, Rene N.; Baterna, Margie L.; Peña, Christine F; Ravina, Jovita N.; and Sionzon, Marian R. 2019. “Risk 
Factors of Breast Cancer Among Women: A Meta Analyses”. 12th National Convention on Statistics. Philippine 
Statistics Authority. 
2 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/291078/breast-cancer-is-the-most-prevalent-in-ph 
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6385717/ 
August 10, 2022
5:55 pm
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It is thus imperative for the State to exert more efforts to disseminate 
information for breast cancer prevention and to assist in the diagnosis and 
treatment of conditions for breast-related ailments.   
 
This bill aims to establish a Breast Care Center in every region of the 
Philippines. These Centers shall be equipped with specialized diagnosis and 
treatment facilities. They shall also direct the conduct awareness campaigns, 
information drive and public education programs in a localized level.  
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM 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. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Breast Care 
Centers in Every Region Act.” 
SECTION 2. Establishment of Breast Care Centers in Every Region. – 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 of constituents. 
SECTION 3. 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. 
SECTION 4. 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 
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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 sell-examine themselves as a part of the regular secondary 
curriculum. 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Secretary of the 
Department of Health shall issue guidelines, orders, or rules and regulations 
as may be necessary for implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 6. 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 Appropriation Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any if this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other 
provisions hereof.  
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive order, and 
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the 
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation.  
 
Approved,