10 FEB 2014
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) s
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

eo
First Regular Session ) Nz a eo

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVE:
House Bill No. 38 Be

Introduced by: HON. MA. THERESA B, BONOAN
4" District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution Article 13, Section 11 mandates the States to give priority to the
needs of women. To carry out this mandate, the State should undertake appropriate
research focusing on women’s health which shall be responsible to their needs and
responsi

Women have peculiar needs and responsibilities. Women are mére exposed to
diseases and danger as they get pregnant and give birth, Studies show that women who
give birth are more susceptible to pregnancy-related and childbirth-related complications,
especially if the women are either too young or too old, or if the pregnancies and
child bearing have been too many or closely spaced.

Because of the responsibilities of women in this society, they have heavier
and more tiring workloads. Women, aside from doing income-generating work, also
have to perform such other responsibilities as child rearing, community work and
housework, which often fall solely on them. Hence, there is probability that they get
tired more and so may have lower resistance to infections.

Taking into account the needs of women arising from the role that they play in
this society, this bill seeks to establish the Office of Research on Women’s Health
which shall conduct research on women’s health and shall provide the appropriate and
quality care to women

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

HON. MA. THERESA B. BONOAN
4th District, City of Manila


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No.

Introduced by: MA. THERESA B, BONOAN
4" District, City of Manila

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON
WOMEN’S HEALTH ,

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Research on Women's Health
Act.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to give priority to needs of
women. Taking into account the inherent disparity between men and women, the State shall
undertake a research focusing on women’s health which shall be responsive to the needs of
every women.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:
(A) “Secretary shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health;
(B) “Women’s health conditions” shall refer to ll diseases, disorders, and conditions —

i, unique to serious, or more prevalent iri women;

ii, for which the factors of medical risk or types of medical intervention are

different for women, or which if is unknown whether such factors or types are

different for women; or

iii, with respect to which there has been insufficient clinical research involving
women as subjects or insufficient clinical data on women.

(C) “Research on women’s health” shallymean research on women’s health conditions,
including research on preventing siich conditions; and

(D) “Committee” shall refer to the Advisory Committee on Women’s Health.


SECTION 4. Establishment of the Office of Research on Women’s Health. - There
shall be established an office to be known as the Office of Research on Women’s
Health which shall be headed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall have the following
functions:

(A)To identify projects of research on women’s health that should be conducted or
supported by both the government and non- government agencies;

(B) To promote coordination and collaboration among ent
identified under paragraph A;

conducting research

(C) To recommend an agenda for conducting and supporting such research; and

(D)To encourage the conduct of such research.

SECTION 5. Advisory Committee on Women’s Health, - In carrying out the provisions of
Section 4, the Secretary shall establish a Committee to be known as the “Advisory
Committee on Womens’ Health.”

SECTION 6. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members which
shall include the following:

a) Two (2) representatives from the Department;

ur (4) physicians, practitioners and other health personnel;

c) Two (2) representatives from a non-governmental organization which conducts
research on women; .

d) One (1) representatives from the general public.

) A majority of the members of the Committee shall be women.

SECTION 7. Meetings. - The Advisory Committee shall determine the number, time, place
and conduct of meetings, except that it shall hold at least one (1) public meeting each year at
which the general public is given an opportunity to express views concerning the conduct
of research on women’s health by the Office.

SECTION 8. Term of Office. - Members shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term of
three (3) years. Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall serve for three (3) years,
three (3) members for two (2) years, and last three (3) members for one (1) year.

Any vacancy in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment, Any member of the Committee may be removed for
cause in accordance with procedures established by the Committee.

SECTION 9. Funtions. - The Committee shall have the following functions:

(A) Advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be undertaken by the
Office with respect to ~

i, research én women’s health;
ii, research on gender differences in clinical drugs trials, including responses


iii, research to gender differences in disease etiology, course and treatment;

iv. research on obstetrical gynecological health conditions, diseases and
treatment; and

vy. research on women’s health conditions which require a multi-disciplinary
approach.

(B) Report to the Secretary on such research;

(© Provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of the Office; and

(D) Prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee,

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Office of the Research
on Women’s Health shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of
Health.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof*inconsistent with the provisions ofthis Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly. + “S

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain
in force and effect. 4,

SECTION 13, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved.