SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS _)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez,

House Bill No. 5769

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Many compounds found or introduced into the environment by human activity are
capable of disrupting the hormone system of humans and animals. The consequences of
such disruption can be profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling
development. No standardized and validated screens or tests have been developed to
routinely and systematically assess chemicals for disruptive effects on hormone systems.

The country for so many decades has experienced an increase in the incidence of
such human disorders as childhood cancers, testicular cancer, hypospadias, juvenile
diabetes, attention deficitike hyperactivity disorders, autism, thyroid disorders, leaming
disabilities, cognitive impairment, and auto-immune disorders. Exposure to hormone-
disrupting chemicals may be contributing to this increased incidence of human disorders
Hence, the impact on children’s health as a result of prenatal exposures in particular needs
further research.

Hormone disruption can occur at very low doses, especially when exposure occurs in
the womb or immediately after birth, periods during which rapid development is occurring,
Unfortunately, our country lacks the necessary research on this phenomenon and unless
timely action is resorted to, there is no way of determining how the impacts of the same
could be judiciously and crucially addressed

The purpose of this measure is to establish regional multidisciplinary centers
regarding women's health and disease prevention and to conduct a research program on
hormone disruption, precisely to prevent if not completely resolve the apparent onslaught of
diseases brought about by hormone disruption.

Through these centers, the effects of hormone disruption will be addressed; hence,
preventing possible diseases which many women and their children suffer.

Hence, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

V

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS __)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 9769

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTERS REGARDING WOMEN’S
HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONDUCTING A RESEARCH PROGRAM
ON HORMONE DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the “Environmental Health Research

Act”.

SEC 2. Establishment of Multidisciplinary Research Centers regarding Women's
Health and Disease Prevention-

(a)

In General There shall be established Regional Multidisciplinary Research
Centers whose purpose is to conduct multidisciplinary research on
environmental factors that may be related to the development of women’s health
conditions. The centers, to be placed in major regional government or public
hospitals, shall be under the management and supervision of a Director, who
shall be appointed by the President on the basis of his or her at least ten (10)
years of extensive experience as a medical practitioner or researcher in the field
and earned management abilities from some reliable institution

Said director shall report directly to the Secretary of Health, and coordinate with
concemed local government units whose task primarily is to detail personne!
who may assist in the many functions discharged by said centers.

(b) Research, Training, and Information and Education -

4) IN GENERAL - Each center under subsection (a) shalll, with respect to the purpose

described in such subsection-

(A) conduct basic and clinical research;
(B) develop protocols for training physicians, scientists, nurses, and other

health and allied health professionals;

(C) conduct training programs for such individuals;
(D) develop model continuing education programs for such professionals; and
(E) disseminate information to such professionals and the public.

(2) PRIORITY FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES- In carrying out the activities

described in paragraph (1), each center under subsection (a) shall give priority to
activities that are directed toward preventing the development in women of the
diseases and conditions involved


(c) Collaboration with Community- Each center under subsection (a) shall establish and
maintain ongoing collaborations with community organizations in the geographic area served
by the center, including those that represent women with disorders that appear to stem from
environmental factors and the health concerns of their offspring.

(d) Coordination of Centers; Reports - The Director shall, as appropriate, provide for the
coordination of information among centers under subsection (a) and ensure regular
communication between such centers.

(e) Structure of Center- Each center assisted under subsection (a) shall use the facilities of a
single regional public hospital, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions,
meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Health.

(f) Duration of Support- Support of a center under subsection (a) may be for a period not
exceeding five (5) years. Such period may be extended for one (1) or more additional
periods not exceeding 5 years, if the operations of such center have been reviewed by an
appropriate technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director and if such
group has recommended to the Director that such period should be extended

SEC 3. Research on Hormone Disruption. - The Director shall also establish within the
regional centers, a comprehensive program to—

(A) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the health of women and
children through disruption of the hormone systems;

(B) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the
environment and their effects on ecological and wildlife health;

(C) coordinate the design of a multi-agency research initiative on hormone disruption;
and

(D) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the Philippines with such research
conducted in other nations.

The program established under this section shalll provide for the following:

(A) Collection, compilation, publication, and dissemination of
scientifically valid information on-

(i) possible human health effects of _hormone-disrupting
chemicals, with emphasis on exposures to low doses of
individual chemicals and chemical mixtures during critical life
stages of development, particularly effects of prenatal
exposures on children's health;

(ii) the extent of human exposure to hormone-disrupting
chemicals, with particular emphasis on exposures during
critical life stages of development and in residential and
‘occupational settings;

(iii) and exposure of wildlife species to hormone-disrupting

chemicals and possible health effects associated with such
exposures.

(B) Research on mechanisms by which hormone-disrupting substances
interact with biological systems.

(C) _ Research on improved in vitro and in vivo methods to screen


and test hormone disruption

(D) Research on the identity, levels, transport, and fate of
hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment.

SEC 4. Appropriations. - For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the Department of Health
yiis authorized to appropriate in their budget such sums as may be necessary.

SEC 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,