FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2288

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution Article 13, Section 12 mandates the State to
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research,
responsive to the country's health needs and problems.

Breast implants have been widely suspected to increase the risk of a
range of problems, including cancer, connective tissue disease, implant
rupture and hematoma. Despite reports and conjectures showing adverse
health impacts of breast implants, there are still women who consider having
breast implants.

Women need complete and accurate information about the potential
health risks and advantages of breast implants, in order to know what to
expect if they choose implant surgery.

This bill seeks to promote research to identify and evaluate the health
effects of breast implants, and to ensure that women and their doctors receive
accurate information about such implants.

In consideration thereof, early approval of this bill is highly
recommended.

RUF} IS‘B. ROL EZ

We

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2288

House Bill No.

AN ACT
IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING RESEARCH ON HEALTH
IMPLICATIONS OF BREAST IMPLANTS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Breast Implant
Research and information Act.”

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. The Constitution Article 13, Section 12
mandates the State to undertake appropriate health manpower development
and research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems. Taking
into account this mandate, the State shall promote research to identify and
evaluate the health effects of breast implants and to ensure that women and
their doctors receive accurate information about such implants.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the term:

(a) “Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of
Health;

(b) “Breast Implants’ refer to implants filled with silicone gel saline
or a combination of the two;

(©) “Committee refers to the Committee on Breast Implant
Research

SEC 4. Breast Implant Research. The Secretary shall conduct or
support research to expand the understanding of the health implications of
breast implants. Such research shall:


(a) if determined to be scientifically appropriate, include a
multidisciplinary, clinical, case-controlled study of women with
breast implants;

(>) involve women who have had such implants in place for at least
eight (8) years, focus on a typical disease presentation
neurological dysfunction and immune system irregularities; and

{c) evaluate to what extent if any, their health differs from a woman
who has or has not had breast implant.

SEC 5. Committee on Breast Implant Research. To assist the
Secretary in receiving accurate and complete information about the risk of
breast implants, there shail be established a committee to be known as the
Committee on Breast Implants, to ensure the strategic management,
communications, and oversight of the policy formation, research and
activities of the goverment regarding breast implants.

SEC 6. The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members:
(2) Two (2) representatives from the Department of Health;

(b) One (1) representative of any other agencies necessary to
accomplish the purpose of the Committee

(©) Four (4) physicians or practitioners with established credentials
in the area of breast implants; and

(d) Two (2) women who have or have had breast implants to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines.

The Secretary shall act as the chair of the Committee. He shall
convene meetings of the Committee, not less than twice each year, and
compile information for the consideration of the full Committee at such
meetings.

SEC 7. Meetings. The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the
public and public witnesses shall be given the opportunity to speak and make
presentations at such meetings. Each member shall make a presentation
before the Committee at each meeting concerning the activities conducted by
such member.

SEC 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 the 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 causes’ in
accordance with procedures established by the Committee.

SEC 9. The Committee shall have the following functions:

(a) advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be
undertaken by the Office with respect to research on the health
impacts of breast implants;

(b) report to the Secretary on such research;

(©) _ provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of
the Committee;

(d) prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee;

(e) ensure that materials conceming breast implants provided by
the Department are available, up to date, and responsive to
reports of problems with breast implants, and that timely
aggregate data conceming such reports shall be made available
to the public upon request and consistent with existing
confidentiality standards.

SEC 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 research shall be included in the annual appropriation of the
Department of Health.

SEC 11. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 12. 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 are hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.