SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
242 
) 
) 
) 
.§E"f1t~tJ? 
ol!lfll~r "I tlj'o;ii»"''''>r~ 
'13 
JUL -1 
['5 :10 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M, Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 15 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that prostate cancer is the sixth 
most common form of malign tumors among men, with one casualty almost every 19 minutes. It 
is one of the top five cancers among men in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Cancer 
Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH), four new cases of prostate cancer are 
diagnosed each day. Unfortunately, not too many Filipinos know they are suffering from the 
disease - until it becomes too late for treatment. 
Medical studies have shown that only one in ten men showing symptoms will actually be 
diagnosed with cancer. 
For the rest, the cause of symptoms is usually a non-cancerous 
enlargement known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BHP). Benign enlargement of the prostate 
gland tends to occur at the same age as prostate cancer, but there is no evidence that one 
leads to the other. 
Like most cancers, prostate cancer can be cured if detected early. For this reason, 
doctors emphasize early screening. Most prostate cancers begin in the part of the prostate 
gland that can be reached by a rectal exam. Thus, a digital rectal examination (ORE) is 
recommended as a means to detect rectal tumors early. 
Despite the availability of early detection screening methods in the Philippines, few 
Filipino males undergo them. As such, there is a need to provide information, education and 
communication (IEC) campaign to educate the general public on the benefits of availing these 
early detection screening procedures for prostate cancer. 
By passing this landmark piece of legislation, our government promotes health 
awareness, particularly with regard to the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestt.!wli~!tIf' 
UEL "LITO" M. LAPIAV 
Senator 
(' 


1 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 242 
) 
) 
) 
,Senah> 
IOIi.:, ul tll.jt'''\M~ 
'13 
JUL -1 
P5 :10 
"t 
j 
.,," 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL SCREENING PROGRAM 
TO COMBAT PROSTATE CANCER, IMPLEMENTING A. NATIONWIDE 
INFORMATION, 
EDUCATION, 
COMMUNICATION 
(lEe) 
CAMPAIGN, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
ShQrt Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive 
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Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Act". 
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SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
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to protect and promote the right to health of the people, including the right of persons 
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with prostate cancer to full, healthy, and holistic development. 
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As such, the State shall promote an environment conducive to the development 
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of persons with prostate cancer to become independent, self-reliant and productive 
9 
members of society. 
10 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the establishment of institutional 
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and social mechanisms to support persons with prostate cancer. The State shall 
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institutionalize a holistic program for persons with prostate cancer for purposes of 
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empowering and providing them quality of life. 
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SEC. 3. 
Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. - The National Institute 
16 
of Health (NIH) of the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to conduct an 
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annual epidemiological survey program to determine the extent and total incidence and' 
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prevalence of persons with prostate cancer in the country in order for the government to 
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provide the neceesary health interventions to address the needs faced by persons with 
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prostate cancer. 
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The NIH is mandated to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) in the 
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conduct of epidemiological research on the issues concerning prostate cancer in the 
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country. The NIH shall carry out a program to expand and intensify research to develop 
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innovative advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and 
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treatment comparable to state-of-the-art mammography technologies. 
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The NIH is mandated to strenthen its research focus concerning prostate cancer,1 
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including a renewed investment into clinical research and expanded research into the 
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link between enVironmental factors with prostate cancer, and continued investigations 
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into causation, diagnosis, early detection, and treatment of prostate cancer. 
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SEC. 4. 
National Program for Prostate Cancer Awareness, Education, 
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Screening, Prevention and Rehabilitation. -
The DOH is hereby mandated to 
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implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on prostate cancer screening, 
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prevention and rehabilitation. 
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Towards this end, the DOH is hereby mandated to implement the following 
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objectives: 
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a) 
to promote public awareness, education and information on issues 
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concerning the disease; 
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b) 
to establish sustainable networks of support group for families of persons 
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with the disease; 
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c) 
to provide referral services to patients and identify appropriate educational 
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and medical expertise and facilities suited to the needs of the patients; 
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d) 
to combat the spectrum of disorders related to the disease through 
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screening, education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services; 
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e) 
to undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research 
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activities regarding the prostate cancer; 
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f) 
to receive donations and grants from local and international donor 
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institutions, foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in 
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the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with prostate cancer; 
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g) 
to provide the avenue for exchange of information, exchange programs 
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and sharing of best practices on issues relating to the early detection, prevention, cure, 
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treatment and rehabilitation of persons with prostate cancer; and 
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h) 
to network with other organizations, institutions and professionals working 
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for the promotion of legislation and public programs for afflicted persons. 
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The DOH shall carry out a program on prostate cancer which shall educate and 
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inform males who are forty (40) years of age or older on the need to periodically 
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undergo physical examination for such cancer, including education on the frequency 
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and type of such examinations that are that are appropriate for various age groups of 
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such men and to educate males on the availability and appropriateness of procedures 
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for detecting the cancer in its early stages, including the procedure known as prostate 
3 
ultrasound. 
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The national campaign shall include the development and distribution of written 
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educational materials, and the development and 
placing of public service 
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announcements that are intended to encourage men to seek prostate cancer screening 
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and to create awareness on the need for improved imaging technologies for prostate 
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cancer detection and minimally invasive treatment. 
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The DOH shall carry out research to develop an improved prostate cancer 
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screening blood test using in-vitro detection. 
In developing the national campaign under this Act, the DOH shall recognize and 
address racial, cultural and ethnic disparities in the incidences of prostate cancer and 
mortality rates with respect to such disease. 
SEC. 5. 
Programs 
and 
Services 
for 
Prostate 
Cancer Disease 
Prevention. - The programs and services that will be provided by the Department of 
Health (DOH) shall include, among others, the following: 
a) 
Orientation and Counseling Services for families of newly diagnosed 
persons; 
b) 
Establishment of Family Support Networks and Sibling Program for 
families of afflicted persons to seek psycho-social support for the various problems 
faced by the patients; 
c) 
Establishment of National and Regional Referral Services where the DOH 
will update a list of health care institutions concerned with the care and rehabilitation of 
patients with prostate cancer; 
d) 
Publication of reading materials, manuals and easily readable instruction 
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materials for the disease's early detection, prevention, rehabilitation and care; 
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e) 
The conduct of continuing education, information and training programs 
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and lectures on the proper handling of afflicted persons; 
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f) 
The establishment of a databank and information and monitoring system 
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(IMS) on the demographic, socio-economic and incidence and prevalence of afflicted 
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persons in the country; and 
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g) 
The conduct of continuing education/training of 
therapists and caregivers of persons with prostate cancer 
conventions and other forms of tri-media educational tools. 
3 
families, teachers, 
through seminars, 


SEC. 6. 
Early Identification and Intervention for Persons with Prostate 
1 
2 
3 
Cancer. - The DOH is hereby mandated to establish a program for early identification 
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screening, and detection of persons with prostate cancer. 
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SEC. 7. 
Technical Assistance and Grants . • The DOH shall establish a 
5 
program to award grants to non-profit private entities and private health providers to 
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enable such entities to test alternative outreach and education strategies to increase 
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awareness and knowledge with respect to the need for prostate cancer screening and 
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improved imaging technologies. 
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SEC. 8. 
Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Screening Fees. - The 
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Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIG) shall include the cost of early detection 
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and screening programs for prostate cancer as one of the available benefits to its 
12 
members. 
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The early detection and screening test fees shall be applied to, among others, 
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testing costs, education, follow-up and readable overhead expenses. 
These early 
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detection and screening are designed to identify persons who should receive more 
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intensive diagnosis or assessment in order to improve the health and well-being of the 
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patient. 
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SEC. 9. 
National Awareness Week for Prostate Cancer Prevention., In 
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order to mainstream the issues and concerns of patients with prostate cancer, the first 
21 
week of June of every year is hereby declared as the "Prostate Cancer Awareness 
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Week", This week shall be celebrated nationwide so that stakeholders all over the 
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nation can increase public awareness on the prevalence and incidence of prostate 
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cancer in the country. The week-long activity will be spearheaded by the Department of 
25 
Health (DOH). 
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SEC. 10. 
Confidentiality of Medical Information for Persons with 
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Prostate Cancer . • To ensure the confidentiality of medical records and to protect any 
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unwarranted intrusion into the privacy of patients in the early detection, screening tests, 
30 
vaccination, medical treatment, and rehabilitation of persons with prostate cancer, the 
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Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), shall 
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formulate pertinent implementing rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 11. 
Reporting Requirement. - Within two (2) years from the date of 
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effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall make a report to both Houses of Congress on the 
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results of the studies conducted by the Department for policy implication, in aid of 
37 
legislation, in order to address the increasing incidence and prevalence of prostate 
4 


'i 
1 
cancer in the country. 
2 
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SEC. 12. 
Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
4 
of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
5 
Department of Health (DOH) and the National Institute of Health (NIH). 
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SEC. 13. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). • Within six (6) 
8 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with the DWSD 
9 
and DOJ shall promulgate necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement 
10 
the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 14. 
Repealing Clause . • All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
13 
regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
14 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 15. 
Separability Clause. • If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
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application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
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other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue to be in full force 
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and effect. 
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SEC. 16. 
Effectivity Clause . • This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
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general circulation. 
Approved, 
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