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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. pegisTaaTion UNIT
Quezon City, Metro Manild itis axoy INDEX SERVICE

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 20%

Introduced by Honorable Rodante D. Marcoleta

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a free medicine assistance program for the
poor in consonance with the 1987 Constitution which provides that “Zhe
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill

health consciousness among them.”

Social justice is caring for the poor, a continuing and sincere concern
for the underprivileged, and a genuine and serious effort to improve their
quality of life. Nowadays, there is a growing sentiment of the poor that they
are being neglected by the government. Many of them die of sickness not
because their cases are terminal but because they can hardly afford the
medicines necessary to restore their health. We must, therefore, pursue the
declared policy of the State to promote the right to health and well-being of

the people and to adopt a system of sustaining the delivery of free medicines

HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES

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to those who have less in life, giving priority to the underprivileged, the sick,

the elderly, the disabled and the poorest of the poor.

The greatest wealth of a nation is its people. Thus, the government
shall ensure that no sick person will be deprived of his right to medical
attention including the supply of medicines despite his financial status. It is
likewise mandated to reduce social inequalities and provide medical care to

paupers.

The “Free Medicines for the Poor Act” is an effective measure to
counter the inaccessibility of medicines to our underprivileged and

impoverished populace. It seeks to bridge the growing gap between health

and poverty, by providing the poor medicines that would help them remain

healthy and productive individuals.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought



Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._&¢3

Introduced by Honorable Rodante D. Marcoleta

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE BASIC MEDICINE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM IN ALL GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES
NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Free
Basic Medicine Assistance Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to protect and promote the right to health and well-being of every
Filipino and to adopt a system of implementing the delivery of free basic
medicines to those who have less in life in all health facilities in the country,
giving priority to the underprivileged, ailing, malnourished, elderly, women

and children, disabled, and the poorest of the poor.


SEC. 3. Objectives- This Act pursues the following objectives:

a) to promote optimal health and well-being of every Filipino by
improved access to medicines; and

b) to address the health needs of marginalized sectors such as the
poor, malnourished, the elderly, women, children and disabled by
the establishment of a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program in
all government facilities nationwide.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program.

There shall be established a Free Basic Medicine Assistance Program,
hereinafter referred to as the “Libreng Gamot Program,” to be administered
by the Department of Health (DOH) through government district hospitals,
local health units and barangay health centers in all cities and municipalities,
in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).

SEC. 5. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The Libreng Gamot Program shall
be restricted to qualified poor recipients as certified by the barangay and the
DSWD officials.

SEC. 6. Availment of Free Basic Medicines. — Free basic medicines
shall be made available in all government district hospitals, barangay health

centers, and local health units. These health units shall account for all the


medicines released to qualified beneficiaries through the submission of
quarterly reports to the Department of Health.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for
the Department of Health. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Rules and Regulations, — The DOH, in coordination with the
DSWD, and in consultation with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA),
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively
implement the provisions of this Act within six (6) months from the
effectivity hereof.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause.—If any part or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which
are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with

the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly


SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,