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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 223

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL CANCER CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges globally and in the
Philippines. It is currently the leading cause of death in developed countries and the second
leading cause of death in developing nations, including the Philippines. In 2025, cancer is
claiming over 254 Filipino lives daily. Worldwide, cancer accounts for roughly 13% of all

deaths annually, underscoring its profound impact on public health,

Despite the presence of several specialized hospitals equipped with facilities for cancer
patients across the country, the Philippines currently lacks a dedicated national institution
mandated to provide comprehensive, specialized care for all cancer patients. This gap
highlights the urgent need for a centralized, focused approach to cancer control, prevention,

detection, treatment, and management.

This proposed bill seeks to establish the National Cancer Center of the Philippines. a
specialized institution that will provide advanced cancer treatment services, including
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cobalt therapy. Strategically located, the center will



ensure equitable access to high-quality cancer care, particularly for patients from regions with

a high incidence of cancer cases.

‘The establishment and maintenance of the National Cancer Center will primarily
benefit cancer patients and their families by delivering comprehensive treatment and care.
Additionally, the center will serve as a hub for cancer research, provide training for medical
and technical personnel, and develop preventive and early detection programs aimed at

reducing cancer incidence among Filipinos.

Furthermore, the National Cancer Center will serve as a magnet for the country’s top
cancer specialists, encouraging them to share their expertise and services with indigent patients
at affordable costs. This will enhance the overall cancer care system and improve patient

outcomes nationwide.
Considering the increasing cancer burden and the pressing need for comprehensive

cancer services, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought to safeguard the health
and well-being of the Filipino people.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__ 223

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL CANCER CENTER TO BE KNOWN
AS THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Creation of the Philippine National Cancer Center. - There is hereby
created, under the supervision of the Department of Health, the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines.

SEC. 2. Board of Trustees. - The National Cancer Center of the Philippines shall be
governed and its activities and properties be directed, controlled and managed, by a Board of
Trustees, which shall be composed of a Chairman and six (6) members, all of whom to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Department of
Health.

‘The members of the Board of Trustees shall serve for a period of four (4) years and
until their successors shall have been appointed to fill the vacaney shall hold office for the
unexpired term of the member. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Board, the person
appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member.

The Board shall elect a Chairman from among themselves, who shall be presiding
officer of the Board of Trustees. The Medical Director of the Philippine National Cancer Center
shall serve as Vice-Chairman of the Board.


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Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum to transact
business and any decision of such four (4) members on any matter duly presented to the Board
of Trustees shall constitute a valid and binding act of the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines.

SEC. 3. Government Contribution. - The Government shall contribute the necessary
land, building, equipment and facilities to the National Cancer Center of the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Property of the Center. - The property of the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines shall consist of such real, personal, mixed, and other type of property, now owned
or reserved for, or may hereafter be given, donated, acquired, transferred or conveyed to the
National Cancer Center of the Philippines by the government, its branches and
instrumentalities, any foreign government, as well as by trust, foundations, corporations, or
persons, alien or domestic, in order to carry out its purposes and objectives as set forth herein.

SEC. 5. Purposes and Objectives. - The National Cancer Center of the Philippines
shall have the following purposes and objectives:

(1) To construct, establish, equip, maintain, administer and operate a specialized

hospital for diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and/or relief of cancer patients;

(2) To promote medical research relative to the prevention and treatment of cancer

including sponsorship and conduct of relevant congresses, convention, seminars
and conferences;

(3) To create awareness on cancer prevention, treatment and control through public

information dissemination;
(4) To encourage the training physicians, nurses, medical technicians, health officers
and social workers on the practical and scientific conduct and implementation of

services, and related activities;

(5) To assist universities, colleges, hospitals and research institutions in their studies of
cancer and encourage advanced training and specialization on matters of, or
affecting cancer;

(6) To provide psychosocial support services and counseling to the patient and family
members; and

(7) To consolidate the information from other related organizations for the purpose of
aiding government's efforts, policies and programs relative to the purposes and

objectives enumerated herein.


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SEC. 6. Powers. - For the attainment and/or furtherance of the above enumerated
purposes and objectives, the National Cancer Center of the Philippines, acting through its
Board of Trustees, shall have the following orders and functions, among other things:

(1) To contract and be contracted with;

(2) To adopt by-laws, rules and regulations not contrary to law to govern the
administration and operation of the affairs of the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines;

(3) To purchase, receive, take or grant, hold, convey, sell, lease, pledge, mortgage and
otherwise deal with such property of whatever nature the transaction of the lawful
business of the National Cancer Center of the Philippines may reasonably and
necessarily require subject to the limitations prescribed by law:

(4) To invite foreign cancer specialists and similar experts in the various medical fields
to train the personnel or trainees or residents of the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines;

(5) To advance the training of personnel of the Philippine conventions, conferences,
congresses, seminars to accomplish the purpose and objectives of the National
Cancer Center of the Philippines;

(6) To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of the National Cancer Center of the Philippines.

SEC. 7. Tax Exemption on Donations. - All donations, contributions or endowment
which may be made by entities or persons to the National Cancer Center of the Philippines
shall be exempt from income and gift taxes.

The National Cancer Center of the Philippines shall be exempt from the payment of all
taxes, charges and fees imposed by the government or any political subdivision or
instrumentality thereof

SEC. 8. Assistance from Government Offices. -The National Cancer Center of the
Philippines may call upon any department, bureau, offices, and agency or instrumentally of the
Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, for such assistance as it
may need in the pursuit of purposes and objectives.

SEC. 9. Cancer Patient Financial Support Programs. — The National Cancer Center
of the Philippines, in coordination with the PhilHealth, the DSWD, and other relevant agencies,
shall establish financial assistance programs to ensure that cancer patients, especially indigent
and marginalized Filipinos, have access to affordable or free diagnostic, treatment, and

palliative care services.


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SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount of one billion pesos is hereby appropriated for
the initial operation of the National Cancer Center of the Philippines which shall be charged to
the appropriations of the Department of Health under the current General Appropriations Act.
Thereafter, the necessary amount to support the continued operation and maintenance of the
National Cancer Center of the Philippines shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Auditing. - The books of accounts of the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines shall be subject to periodic auditing by the Commission on Audit.

SEC. 12. Annual Report. - The National Cancer Center of the Philippines shall render
to the Department of Health an annual report on its operations and accomplishments.

SEC. 13. Effect of Dissolution. - \f for any reason, the National Cancer Center of the
Philippines is dissolved, its properties and assets remaining at the time of such dissolution shall
revert to the Philippine Government for disposition in accordance with law

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,