SI: h ,\"'T i:' 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
(,1~Ji!\C€ OF 1'1 '.,-
.! i H\' j 
(,:\' 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Sessiou 
) 
1 o JUL"6 II 8 JI 
SENATE 
s.No.189 
!\In;'I!'i' 
11: .. 
_______ I_n_troduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV --------f 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section IS of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. In pursuit 
of this policy, it is the objective of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Phil 
Health) to continuously endeavor to improve its benefit package to meet the needs of its 
members. It is in this light that this bill seeks to provide coverage for the diagnostic 
services for breast and cervical cancer. 
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer and cancer deaths in 
Filipino women. The Philippines is ranked first in breast cancer incidence in Asia and has 
a higher prevalence rate than those in several Western countries, including Spain, Italy, 
and most Eastern European countries. Based on the most recent data, relative snrvival 
rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer are: 88 percent at 5 years after diagnosis, 
80 percent after 10 years, 71 percent after 15 years and 63 percent after 20 years. From 
1990 to 2002, death rates have decreased. The decline has been attributed to both 
improvements in breast cancer treatment and early detection. I 
Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, is the second leading cause of death 
among Filipino women. According to the 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates, 
7,277 new cases and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer were estimated to have oceun-ed. 
This meant that there were approx.imately 10 Filipino women dying each day due to 
cervical cancer. This is mainly due to late detection and lack of awareness of the disease 
among Filipino women? 
Based on the above data, it is safe to deduce that there is a direct con-elation between the 
time of detection and the odds for survival of women afflicted with these killer diseases. 
Thus, it is but urgent to include the periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and 
cervical cancer in the benefit package under the PhilHealth. The intent of this measure 
rests on the premise that preventive and promotive health services are essential for 
reducing the need and spending for personal health services. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
A~otY1. 
TRILL:NES IV 
Senator 
1 Breast Cancer Fact Sheet. Infonnation Retrieved from: hHIL!1\nY~L~$:.cmnJ211/b[~m191m£QLlHmJ. Retrieved on 09 
February 2009 
2 Information retrieved from: ll!111~U~~~.Jlo[1J.1.!-)y.,pb/ll.9s1gfJ21K2. Retrieved on 09 Februal)' 2009 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
, 
i P n 
S. 'NO. 
,J ,) i;} 
Introduced by Sena!or Antonio "Sonny" F: Tril.::cla::cn:.:e:::s.::cI~V ____ _ 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION TO 
PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES FOR BREAST 
AND CERVICAL CANCER, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHEFPURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Breast and Cervical 
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Cancer Protection Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
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endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to everyone 
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at an affordable cost. Priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, 
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women and children, shall be recognized. 
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SEC. 3. Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Coverage. - The National 
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Health Insurance Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Philhealth) is hereby 
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directed to include mandatory periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and 
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cervical cancer in its benefit package. The expenses for the mandatory 
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diagnostic services shall be covered by Philhealth. 
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The diagnostic services shall include but not be limited to Clinical Breast 
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Cancer (CBE) and Mammogram Examination for breast cancer: and Pap Smear 
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Testing for cervical cancer whichever is applicable as determined by the 
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physician. 


SEC. 4. Periodic Exam. - The mandatory diagnostic examination shall be done 
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once a year, or as often as may be necessary as determined by the Department of health 
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(DOH). 
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SEC. 5. Fllmling. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this 
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Act shall be based on the evaluated and adjusted cost-sharing schedule and cost 
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containment feature of the PhiIHealth, as determined by the same on the basis of 
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applicable actuarial studies. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rilles. - The Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth 
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shaH promulgate the IUles and regulations necessary for the effective enforcement of the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Separctbility Clallse. - If any provision Of part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affectcd shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clallse. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instlUction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or 
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inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act, is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. Effectivity Clallse. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
Approved, 
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