oa BEPRESEN

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS. ReceIvED

)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session " )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 2455

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. and
Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a Free’ Basic Medicines Program in
consonance with the 1987 Constitution which provides that “The State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.”

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. There is a growing
sentiment among 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 to restore their health

The Free Basic Medicines Program is an effective measure to counter the
inaccessibility of medicines to our underprivileged and impoverished populace,
particularly those living in remote barangays. It seeks to bridge the growing gap
between health and poverty, by providing the poor medicines that will help them
remain healthy

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

C f

MAXIMO’B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.

a
RUFUS B, RODRIGUEZ

SAUG 2013


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session vy

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

2455

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. and
Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE BASIC MEDICINES PROGRAM IN ALL BARANGAY
HEALTH CENTERS NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title, — This Act shall be known as the “Free Basic

Medicines Act of 2013.""

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

indigent residents in all barangays nationwide.

SEC. 3. Establishment of Free Basic Medicines Program.- There is
hereby established a Free Basic Medicines Program, hereinafter referred to as.

the “Program,” to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) through


barangay health centers.in all municipalities, in coordination with the Department

of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

SEC. 4. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The Program shall be restricted to
qualified recipients to be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD). The implementing rules and regulations shall guarantee
that the intended beneficiaries are indigent residents of barangay with an annual

income of not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00)

SEC. 5. Availment of Free Basic Medicines - The medicines shall be
made available in barangay health centers nationwide. All medicines which will
be released to qualified recipients shall be accounted for through a quarterly

report to be submitted to the Department of Health.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of One Billion Pesos
(Php1,000,000,000.00) for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged
to the appropriations of the Department of Health under the current General
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued

implementation shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health (DOH) in
coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the

provisions of this Act within six (6) months from the effectivity hereof.


SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — Alll laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed of modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation

Approved