SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2877 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
----------------------~'---"'~.~.-'-.-"'.= 
.. '."'.... 
,., 
AN ACT 
TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT OR SUPPORT 
RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON THE USE OF FINANCIAL 
AND IN-KIND SUBSIDIES AND REWARDS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS, ADOPT 
HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, AND USE EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTIVE HEALTH 
SERVICES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 11 provides that: 
Section 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential 
goods, health and other social services available to all the people at 
affordable cost. There shall be a priority for the needs of the 
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. The State 
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. 
Health is one of the primary concerns of our country. Both the public and private 
sectors have channeled tremendous efforts to assist our needy countrymen in this front. 
However, we need to be more proactive in our approach to health care. We should be 
able to explore ways in which we can be able to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent 
diseases instead of entirely focusing on treatment and cure. 
We should also be looking into making the most of government resources by 
looking into the ways by which all our resources, including subsidies and rewards, may 
be used most efficiently by the beneficiaries. 


This bill seeks to mandate the Secretary of Health to conduct, research and 
demonstration projects on the use of financial and in-kind subsidies and rewards to 
encourage individuals and communities to promote wellness, adopt healthy behaviors, 
and use evidence-based preventive health services.! 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Third Regular Session and refiled in the 
Fifteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
.. 
SENATE 
2877 
S.No. 
..... :·.fmCEIVEU KY:--U-' . 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
. 
.~ 
AN ACT 
TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT OR SUPPORT 
RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON THE USE OF FINANCIAL 
AND IN-KIND SUBSIDIES AND REWARDS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS, ADOPT 
HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, AND USE EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTIVE HEALTH 
SERVICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Wellness Research 
2 
Act." 
3 
SECTION 2. Research and Demonstration Project. - The Secretary of Health 
4 
(Secretary) shall conduct, or award grants to public or nonprofit private entities to 
5 
conduct, research and demonstration projects on the use of financial and in-kind subsidies 
6 
and rewards to encourage individuals and communities to promote wellness, adopt 
7 
healthy behaviors, and use evidence-based preventive health services. 
8 
SECTION 3. Focus. - Research and demonstration projects under Section 2 shall 
9 
focus on-
10 
A. 
tobacco use, obesity, and other prevention and wellness priorities as maybe 
11 
identified by the Secretary; 
1 


B. 
the initiation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability of wellness 
2 
promotion; adoption of healthy behaviors; and use of evidence-based preventive health 
3 
services; and 
4 
c. 
populations at high risk of preventable diseases and conditions. 
5 
SECTION 4. Report. - Not later than 18 months after the initiation of research and 
6 
demonstration projects under Section 2, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
7 
on the progress of such research and projects, including any preliminary findings. 
8 
SECTION 5. Term. - The research and demonstration projects undertaken under 
9 
this Act shall not exceed a term of five years from commencement. 
10 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
II 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
12 
provisions hereof. 
13 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
14 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
15 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
16 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
17 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
itmdp27 July20 15 
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