Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5214

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS OF CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE
DIGITAL X-RAYS AND SPUTUM TESTING LABORATORIES IN THEIR
LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO MAINTAIN FREE X-
RAY AND SPUTUM TEST SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

‘ EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tuberculosis remains a major health problem in the Philippines,
according to the World Health Organization. It has been a nationwide
jeading cause of death and illness in the country. This airborne disease has
already affected a million Filipinos, and has required actions from all sectors
and care providers.

Despite having free anti-tuberculosis medication provided to the
citizens, the country continues to be the third highest in prevalence rate of
tuberculosis in the world. Moreover, the Philippines lags in diagnosis and
precautionary measures. Although anti-tuberculosis drugs are available in
Prtional and local government health centers, patients still require overall
treatments that include multiple tests such as x-rays, blood tests, chest
radiograph, sputum smear, and rapid molecular Diagnostic Tests that are
costly.

In accordance with Republic Act No. 10767, “An Act Establishing a
Comprehensive Philippine Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis as a
Public Health Problem and Appropriating Funds Therefor”, it is the mandate
of the State to promote the universal right to health and instill health
consciousness among them. Republic Act 10767 states that



“the State is mandated to adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development. Towards the
end, the State shall support and expand efforts to eliminate
tuberculosis as a public health problem by increasing
investments for its prevention, treatment and control, and
adopting a multisectoral approach in responding to the
disease.”

This bill seeks to uphold this mandate by tackling barriers to public
health services. Towards this end and to address this harrowing public
health concern, this legislation moves to adopt a mandatory, comprehensive,
and sustainable periodic x and sputum test program for the detection
and prevention of tuberculosi

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 5214

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS OF CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE
DIGITAL X-RAYS AND SPUTUM TESTING LABORATORIES IN THEIR
LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO MAINTAIN FREE X-
RAY AND SPUTUM TEST SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Tuberculosis
Eradication Campaign Act of 2019.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them. Towards this end and to address a public health concern, the
State shall adopt a mandatory, comprehensive, and sustainable periodic x-
ray and sputum test program for the detection and prevention of
tuberculosis.

Sec. 3. Mandate. - In line with Republic Act (RA) No. 10767,
otherwise known as “the Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act”,
the Department of Health, with the participation of all local government
units, is mandated to provide free digital x-rays and sputum test services to
all Filipinos of suitable age. For this purpose, every Cities or Municipalities
shall establish in its locality at least one CENTER or facility that will serve
exclusively as a laboratory facility for x-rays and sputum testing.


Sec. 4. Coverage. - All Filipinos who are of suitable age shall undergo
x-ray and sputum test in the Center of their localities. The Department of
Health, in consultation with all local government units nationwide, shall
conduct a mandatory periodic x-ray and sputum test free of charge in their
respective localities pursuant to this Act.

Sec. 5. Education and Information Campaign. - The Department of
Health in coordination with the LGU shall conduct public information
campaign on a regular basis about the benefits of x-ray and sputum test for
the early detection, treatment, care and prevention of the disease which will
help in the total elimination of tuberculosis as a public health problem in
the country.

The DOH shall incorporate a sustainable program of conducting
periodic x-ray and sputum test services to every individual of suitable age in
the Philippine Comprehensive Plan of Action to Eliminate Tuberculosis.

Sec. 6. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel. -
The Department of Health, with the assistance of local government units,
academe, professional societies and nongovernmental organizations, shall
undertake continuing information, education and training programs for all
health personnel on the elimination or prevention of tuberculosis as a public
health problem.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be chargeable against the excise taxes from
tobacco products and the current year's appropriations of the Department of
Health on the tuberculosis elimination program. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include x-
ray and sputum test in their basic services under its benefit package.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Health, in consultation with the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the DepEd, the CHED, the PIA, the non-government
organizations and other concerned entities shall issue the implementing
rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act.

Sec. 9. Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a Joint
Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) on TB Eradication to conduct a
regular review of the implementation of this Act which shall entail a
systematic evaluation of the performance of concerned government agencies
in the accomplishment of the objectives of this Act. The Committee shall be
composed of the Chairpersons of the respective Committees on Health of the
Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines who shall act as
co-chairpersons of the Oversight Committee, and the chairpersons of the
Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Appropriation of


both Houses as members thereof. The Oversight Committee shall
commission the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation to have an independent study on the full implementation of this
Act.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
remaining provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,