Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
eHealth is a broad term which refers to the use of information and communication technologies 
in health care. Philippines’ eHealth framework and six-year plan is crafted in 2014 with the vision 
of enabling widespread access to health care services, health information and secure sharing and 
exchange of patients’ information in support to a safer quality health care, and more equitable 
and responsive health system for all the Filipino people1.  
While the healthcare system has significantly advanced over the last six years, the adoption of 
technologies for the improvement of the system as envisioned by the Department of Health and 
the Department of Science and Technology, is yet to be realized. Part of the reason is the lack of 
required legislation to support the attainment of the Department’s eHealth vision.  
In this light, this proposed measure provides a framework for the establishment of a National 
eHealth System (NEHS) which shall set policies, standards, priorities, plans, programs and 
projects that promote and ensure streamlined and safely regulated delivery of eHealth services; 
and clarify the responsibilities of agencies, institutions and entities towards the building of national 
and local eHealth capacity. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
1 Philippines eHealth Strategic Framework and Plan (2014-2020). 2014. Retrieved from
http://ehealth.doh.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=73
August 1, 2022
2:04 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE e-HEALTH SYSTEM AND SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF 
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “e-Health System and Services Act 
of 2020”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right 
to health of all Filipinos and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this end, the State 
shall Institutionalize a system of providing wide access to quality health information and services 
using information and communication technology (ICT), referred to as the National e-Health 
System (NEHS), resulting In better health outcomes for every Filipino, and further recognizing 
whole-of society and whole-of government approaches. 
The NEHS shall be comprehensive, integrated, Interoperable, progressive, secure and sustainable 
based on best current and future practices, and shall facilitate Inter-agency and inter-sectoral 
coordination at various levels of governance covering both the public and private sectors. It shall 
recognize e-Health as supplemental and complementary with other healthcare delivery methods 
to the extent allowable by existing laws, provide and support healthcare delivery, including 
diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of care of patient, exchange of health data and 
education, especially In medically unserved and underserved geographically isolated and 
disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).  
SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act shall provide a holistic framework that establishes a NEHS, which 
shall: 
a) Set policies, standards, priorities, plans, programs and projects that promote and ensure
streamlined and safely regulated delivery of e-Health services to reduce inequalities,
achieve universal health care and better health outcomes;
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b) Clarify roles of agencies, institutions and entities regarding their performance and 
accountabilities in building national and local e-Health capacity and measuring results; 
and 
c) Enable the citizenry with suitable access to their own health information needed for better 
management and control of their own health. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) Compliant e-Health Services and Applications refer to solutions, products and innovations 
that are compliant with defined architecture of e-Health standards that enable services 
and systems, allow for interoperability of health services and Information across 
geographic, organizational, network and vendor boundaries, and ensure data protection 
In accordance with Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10173, otherwise known as the "Data Privacy 
Act'' and other related laws and Issuances. 
b) e-Health Data Services refer to key architectural data registries of the health sector 
enterprise needed to enable and support large scale health Information Interoperability 
and exchange. 
c) e-Health System refers to the Interplay of enabling (governance and accountability; 
strategy and Investment; human resources; standards and interoperability; monitoring 
and compliance; research and development) and foundational (infrastructure; and 
services and applications) elements essential for a successful national e-Health 
Implementation; 
d) Electronic Health or e-Health refers to the use of cost-effective and secure Information 
communications technology for health, also referred to as digital health; 
e) Electronic Health Record (EHR) refers to a computerized health record used to capture, 
store, access and share information of a patient between and across health care providers 
and health-related entitles; 
f) Electronic Medical Record (EMR) refers to a computerized medical record used to capture, 
store, and share information of a patient between healthcare providers in an institution or 
organization; 
g) Electronic Prescription Ce-Prescription) refers to a system that allows healthcare providers 
to write and send prescriptions in an automated or electronic way to a pharmacy with 
capability to receive such; 
h) Health Passport refers to the portable personal health record of a patient linked to the 
electronic health or medical record whereby patients exercise control. 
i) Health Sector Enterprise Architecture refers to the blueprint on which e-Health services 
and applications shall be developed, implemented and scaled up. 
j) Information and Communications Technology refers to all technologies for the 
communication of Information, which Includes data, application or Information systems, 
Internet, network, connectivity, telecommunications, among others; 
SEC. 5. Scope and Application. – This Act covers all existing healthcare providers and other 
entities developing and using e-Health systems, services and applications and tools, whether 
public or private. It shall cover all e-Health solutions, services and applications Including relevant 
standard equipment In the field of health and ancillary services that use ICT and are 
complementary to existing minimum modalities or standards of health care and other means of 
access to information.  


SEC. 6. Implementing Agency. – The Department of Health (DOH) shall be the lead 
Implementing agency to carry out the provisions of this Act. The DOH shall strengthen and 
transform its existing Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service (KMITS) into 
a full-fledged Bureau, to be named as the National e-Health Information and Services Bureau 
(NeHISB), which shall perform the overall management and administration of this Act. 
Corresponding plantilla positions shall be created for this purpose in coordination with the 
Department of Budget and Management.  
The Bureau shall also serve as the secretariat of the e-Health Policy and Coordination Council 
created under Section 8 hereof.  
SEC. 7. Regional and Local Implementation Structures and Staffing Pattern. – To assist 
In the Implementation of this Act and subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and 
Management, the DOH, in consultation with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST) shall determine the regional and local Implementation structures and 
create divisions or units as It may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and employees with 
permanent appointments and supported with an adequate yearly budget In accordance with the 
civil service law, rules, and regulations.  
Setting up of the regional and local Implementation structures shall support the organization and 
Integration of local health systems Into province-wide and city-wide health system In accordance 
with R.A. No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health care Act" and other related 
Issuances. 
 
ARTICLE II 
GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY 
SEC. 8. Creation of the e-Health Policy and Coordination Council. – There shall be created 
an independent body to be known as the e-Health Policy and Coordination Council (eHPCC), 
hereinafter referred as the "Council' to provide and promote relevant policies and guidelines for 
the effective coordination and implementation of this Act. The Council shall be composed of the 
following key officials: 
a) Secretary, Department of Health - Chairperson 
b) Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology - Co-Chairperson 
c) President and Chief Executive Officer, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation -Co-
Chairperson 
Members: 
d) Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; 
e) Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); 
f) Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
g) Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (DBM); 
h) Chancellor, University of the Philippines - Manila (UPM); 
i) Chairman, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); 
j) Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
k) Chairperson, National Privacy Commission (NPC); 
l) National Statistician, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); 


m) One (1) representative from the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA); 
n) One (1) representative from the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines (PHAPI); 
o) One (1) representative from the Provincial Health Officers Association of the Philippines 
(PHOAP); 
p) One (1) representative from the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines 
(AMHOP); 
q) Two (2) representatives from professional medical or health societies; 
r) One (1) representative from patients' group; and 
s) One (1) representative from the JCT Industry associations. 
The heads of government agencies may be represented by an official whose rank shall not be 
lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent. Members representing the private sector shall 
be appointed by the President of the Philippines not later than thirty (30) days after the date of 
enactment of this Act and shall serve for a term of three (3) years, renewable upon 
recommendation of the Council for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.  
The government agency-members of the Council shall have the authority to act upon and decide 
on all urgent matters pending the formation of the Council and the appointment of members from 
the private sector by the President of the Philippines.  
SEC. 9. Powers and Duties of the Council. – The Council shall exercise the following powers 
and functions: 
a) Define and promote overall e-Health policies, standards, and regulations at all levels of 
healthcare system, public and private; 
b) Ensure Integration and coordination of national and local eHealth strategies and 
initiatives; and 
c) Submit yearly assessments and accomplishment reports to the Senate Committee on 
Health and Demography and the House of Representatives Committee on Health for 
performance monitoring and evaluation. 
SEC. 10. Creation of the Sub-Structure or Mechanism. – The Council shall create multi-
sectoral groups, composed of both the private and public sectors to ensure broader stakeholder 
participation and for the furtherance of Its objectives.  
Setting up of the sub-structures or mechanisms shall be in accordance with R.A. No. 11223, 
otherwise known as the "Universal Health care Act'' and other related Issuances.  
 
ARTICLE III 
STANDARDS AND INTEROPERABILITY 
SEC. 11. Health Sector Enterprise Architecture. – The NeHS shall be operated within a 
health sector enterprise architecture that aligns and ensures that health and health-related data 
are made available and accessible anytime and anywhere to various stakeholders, business 
processes for health are streamlined and Integrated, and services and applications are usable, 
safe, efficient and effective, following the health care business model provided under R.A. No. 
11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health care Act" and other related Issuances.  


Rationalization for safety and cost effectiveness, scope and standards for design and use of 
technologies in the health sector shall also be defined in this architecture. All health care providers 
and health-related entities shall adopt a health enterprise architecture as defined and guided by 
the Council.  
SEC. 12. Standards Compliance. – All health care providers and health- related entitles shall 
comply with the data standards to allow Interoperability and health Information exchange, and 
ensure data protection in accordance with R.A. No. 10173, otherwise known as the "Data Privacy 
Act" and other related laws and Issuances.  
These standards shall include, inter alla, patient identifier, health care provider identifiers, 
terminology and messaging standards, and shall be in accordance with the Philippine 
eGovernment interoperability framework security and other relevant standards.  
 
ARTICLE IV 
SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS 
 
SEC. 13. Rationalization of e-Health Services and Applications. -Design, development, 
and Implementation of e-Health services and applications shall focus on the automation and 
Interoperability of the various mandatory business processes and data services in the health 
sector as laid out In the Health Sector Enterprise Architecture and which may be subjected to 
health technology assessment and shall comply with regulatory requirements. 
  
SEC. 14. Scope of e-Health Services and Applications. - e-Health shall include the following 
areas: 
 
a) Mandatory e-Health Data Services: 
1) Master Person Index 
2) Master Provider (Human Resources) Index 
3) Master Facility Index 
4) Terminology or Health Services Registry 
5) National Immunization Registry 
b) Compliant e-Health Services and Applications, Including but not limited to: 
1) Electronic Health Record/Electronic Medical Record 
2) Health Passport 
3) Health Information Exchange 
4) Health Facility Operations and Management 
5) Disease Registries 
6) TeleHealth/TeleMedicine and mHealth 
7) Human Resources in e-Health 
8) Supply Chain Management/Enterprise Resource Planning 
 
Article V 
TELEHEALTH 
 
SEC. 15. Regulations of TeleHealth Services and e-Health Related Devices. – The 
Council, through the DOH, shall establish and maintain a regulatory system for telehealth services 
and e-Health-related devices.  


 
SEC. 16. Standards of Practice and Certification of Individuals and Entities Providing 
TeleHealth Services. – To complement the regulations of telehealth services and e-Health-
related devices, the Professional Regulation Commission and DOH, in consultation with, 
PhilHealth, UPM-National TeleHealth Center, DICT, academia, medical and specialty societies, 
non-government organizations, the private and business sectors, shall set the standards of 
practice and Implement a certification mechanism for health care providers and health-related 
entities providing telehealth services.  
 
ARTICLE VI 
HUMAN RESOURCES 
 
SEC. 17. Human Resource in e-Health. – The human resource for e-Health are health care 
professionals who shall plan, design, build, operate, use, maintain and support the e-Health 
services and applications.  
 
The DOH, PRC, CHED, DICT, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 
In consultation with medical and specialty societies, IT professional associations, and academia, 
shall establish the minimum competencies and impose the same on health, health-related and 
digital health professionals. This shall be part of the curriculum of health and health-related 
courses.  
 
SEC. 18. Human Resource for e-Health Development Plan. – The DOH, PRC, CHED, and 
TESDA shall formulate the Human Resource for e-health Development Plan which shall develop 
new curricula, integrate changes in existing curricula, create formal and non-formal training 
programs, and continuing professional development programs concerning the practice of e-
Health. There shall also be creation of personnel services item, plantilla positions, and other 
employment opportunities for human resource in government hospitals and Institutions to 
manage and enable e-Health In healthcare and related services.  
 
ARTICLE VII 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
 
SEC. 19. ICT Infrastructure. – The DICT, in coordination with DOH, PhilHealth, and DOST, 
shall establish and maintain the necessary national ICT infrastructure to implement e-health 
services and applications.  
 
SEC. 20. National Health Data Center. – The PhilHealth, In coordination with the DOH, DICT 
and DOST, shall establish and maintain the national e-health data center, and implement an agile 
and sustainable data management and governance framework and system in support to R.A. No. 
11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care Act," and in compliance with R.A. No. 
10173, otherwise known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" for data protection.  
 
ARTICLE VIII 
STRATEGY AND INVESTMENT 
 


SEC. 21. National e-Health Strategic Framework and Plan. – The Council shall spearhead 
the development and monitoring of strategic framework and plan to serve and guide the 
operations of a national e-Health system.  
 
SEC. 22. Financing the e-Health Strategic Framework and Plan. – Financing for the 
national e-Health system by DOH, PhilHealth and other partners, as defined by the Council, shall 
be made available to scale up e-Health Implementation at the national level.  
 
SEC. 23. Private Sector Participation. – The DOH shall promulgate rules regarding the 
participation of the private sector in the provision of e-Health services and applications including 
public-private partnerships, and other suitable arrangements. 
 
ARTICLE IX 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
SEC. 24. Research and Development. – Consistent with R.A. No. 10532 otherwise known as 
the "Philippine National Health Research System Act of 2013," and the mandate of the DOST, the 
DOST - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), in consultation 
with DOH, CHED, DICT, PhilHealth, UPM - National TeleHealth Center, academia, regional health 
research consortia, medical and specialty societies, non-government organizations, the private 
and business sectors, shall ensure the development of new eHealth services, applications and 
innovations through: 
 
a) Formulation of eHealth research priority areas under the National Unified Health Research 
Agenda (NUHRA), and other research agendas; 
b) Funding and mobilizing resources for research on eHealth which are aligned with the 
research agenda; 
c) Establishment and strengthening of centers of excellence of eHealth policy studies, 
research and innovation, including creation of formal and non- formal capability building 
programs; and 
d) Adherence of eHealth research outputs to the health technology assessment process as 
provided in the Universal Health Care Act. 
e) A separate unit within the PCHRD shall handle and manage eHealth related activities and 
programs. The human resource requirement of such unit shall be determined by PCHRD 
in consultation with DOH, CSC and DBM.  
 
SEC. 25. Funding Source for Research and Development. – The DOH, PhilHealth, DOST, 
DICT, CHED, and DILG shall allocate at least 1 % of their respective annual regular budget in 
support of eHealth research and development.  
 
ARTICLE X 
ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES 
 
SEC. 26. Rules and Procedures for Administrative Violations and Complaints. – The 
Council shall promulgate rules and procedures relating to administrative violations and 
complaints, insofar as they relate to the establishment and operations of the national eHealth 
system.  
 


ARTICLE XI 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 27. Transitory Provisions. – The transformation of KMITS into a full- fledged Bureau and 
the formulation of the internal organic structure and regional and local implementation structures, 
staffing pattern, operating system, and the revised budget of the Department for health 
information technology shall be completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act, during which time, the existing KMITS and 
regional and local implementation personnel shall continue to serve in holdover capacities until a 
full and permanent bureau is constituted and functioning, and new appointments are issued.  
 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act shall 
be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the DOH for health information technology.  
 
For the succeeding years, the amount needed for eHealth in the DOH budget and in the budget 
of other agencies with specific mandates provided in this Act shall be based on the strategic plan 
formulated by the Council, in coordination with other stakeholders. The amount shall be included 
in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) as basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).  
 
Further, other sources of funds can come from the Private Sector Participation Program, Joint 
DOH-PhilHealth-DICT-DOST undertakings on eHealth, and Medium-Term Information and 
Communications Technology Harmonization Initiative (MITHI).  
 
SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the Secretary of DOH, after consultation with the Secretaries of DICT and DOST, the 
President and Chief Executive Officer of PhilHealth, the Chancellor of UPM, the Chairperson of 
CHED, the National Statistician of PSA, and representatives of medical and paramedical 
associations and societies, and other stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. – All general and special laws, decrees, executive orders, 12 
proclamations and administrative regulation, or any parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed, amended and modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,