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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE! REGISTRATION UNIT
Quezon City, Metro Manila | 2115 vp INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

268

House Bill No. ___

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

This bill seeks to establish a Cancer Treatment Center in every region in the
country and appropriating funds therefore

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.”

In the Philippines, cancer remains the disease most feared and stigmatized,
not only because of the pain and suffering that come with the malady, but also
because of the duration and high cost of treatment, Unfortunately, based on the
2010 Philippine Cancer Facts and Figures, cancer is the third leading cause of
death in the country, killing an estimated 52,000 Filipinos in 2010. This statistical
data was derived from only two Philippine cancer registries that are the leading
source of cancer incidence data in the country — Metro Manila and Rizal province.
In other words, these estimates do not include cancer cases in other parts of
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,

According the World Health Organization on their article 10 Facts About
Cancer, “cancers of major public health relevance such as breast, cervical and
colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early and treated adequately. All
patients in need of pain relief could be helped if current knowledge about pain
control and palliative care were applied. More than 30% of cancer could be
prevented, mainly by not using tobacco, having healthy diet, being physically
active and moderating the use of alcohol. In developing countries, up to 20% of
cancer deaths could be prevented by immunization against the infection of
Hepatitis B Virus and Human Papilloma Virus.” This shows that by
understanding the disease and acquiring proper knowledge on prevention and
early-detection, the number of cancer incidence and fatalities could significantly

HOUSE .F REPRESENTATIVES



decline. It is therefore safe to conclude that if developing countries like the
Philippines would establish organized and sustained specialized care and
preventive measures against cancer, there is a good chance that the disease could
be effectively controlled.

This bill will enable Filipinos to have access to information pertaining to
the prevention of cancer and, if already afflicted by the disease, to seek
specialized treatment and palliative care at reduced costs. The Cancer Treatment
Center also aims to establish the National Cancer Management Program which
shall serve as the framework for nationwide cancer control in the country, from
research to program implementation. Cancer patients from different income
levels will now have an equal chance to avail of cancer-related services and
facilities as there will now be a Cancer Treatment Center in every region.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought,

(ilar Roman)
GERALDINE B, ROMAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2638

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CANCER TREATMENT CENTER IN
EVERY REGION IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Cancer Treatment Centers. — There is hereby established,
under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH), a Cancer Treatment
Center in every region in the country, hereinafter referred to as Cancer Center.

SEC. 2. Objectives. - Each Cancer Center shal! have the following
objectives and functions:

a) To provide medical services such as diagnosis, appropriate treatment
and care to cancer patients, taking into account cost-effectiveness, affordability
and social and ethical aspects;

b) To promote palliative care including pain management, hospice care

and other measures to improve the quality of life of cancer patients:


¢) To disseminate information and create awareness on cancer and its
prevention, control and treatment options;

d) To promote, encourage, engage and assist in scientific research on
matters related to cancer;

e) To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, nurses,
medical technicians, health officers and social workers on the practical and
scientific conduct and implementation of cancer related services;

f) To manage the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of cancer patients
and their families and provide programs that include assistance to cancer
survivors; and

g) ‘To implement the National Cancer Management Program as specified
under Section 5 of this Act.

SEC. 3. Administration. ~ There shall be a Director for each Cancer
Center to be appointed by the Secretary of Health, who shall administer, direct,
coordinate and control its affairs. The Director shall receive compensation based
on existing compensation laws and shall enjoy the rank and privileges of a
director of a government hospital. Each Cancer Center shall have two (2)
Assistant Directors, to be appointed by the Secretary of Health, who shall assist
the Director in the management of its administrative operations. The
administrative staff comprising each Cancer Center shall be in accordance with
the requirements and standards of the staffing pattern set by the DOH.

The Director or Assistant Director, to be eligible for appointment, must be:


a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age;

b) Board certified physician who specializes in the care, treatment and
management of cancer and have been practicing for at least five (5) continuous
years in the Philippines as such; and

c) Of good moral character;

SEC, 4. Powers and Functions. The Director shall have the
following powers and functions:

a) To govern the administration and operation of the affairs of the
Cancer Center:

b) To develop or support patient care programs related to the
appropriate care, treatment and accommodation of cancer patients;

c) To solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form
of contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private
sectors, local or international, for and on behalf of the Cancer Center;

d) To levy, collect and receive charges and fees due to the Cancer
Center for goods or services provided for pay patients;

e) To accept voluntary or uncompensated services;

£) To appoint such other personnel and staff as may be necessary for
the effective operation of the Cancer Center, subject to existing civil service laws,
rules and regulations;

g) To provide for the continued improvement of the Cancer Center and

its facilities including the training of personnel so that the highest professional


levels of patient care may be maintained in accordance with the requirements of
the DOH;

h) To purchase and issue medicines, supplies and materials, equipment
and property required for its operation and maintenance, subject to availability of
funds or appropriations therefor;

i) To account for the funds, property and other assets of the Cancer
Center and to submit an Annual Financial Report to the Secretary of Health at the
end of each year;

Dd To promote cooperation and coordination with other medical
institutions, public or private health facilities, health centers and medical service
agencies for any assistance as may be required in the performance of duties; and

i) To perform such other functions as may be necessary for the
accomplishment of the objectives of this Act.

SEC.5. National Cancer Management Program. — The Department
of Health, in coordination with the Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development, shall formulate and develop a National Cancer Management
Program which shall serve as a template for cancer control planning and treatment
program implementation in the country and which shall contain the following:

a) Goals and objectives;

b) Planning tools and assessment of current situation;

c) Capability building;

d) Cancer control programs and strategies:


) Program implementation steps:

f) Sustainable responses to challenges posed by cancer to the Filipino
population; and

g) Comprehensive approach toward the treatment, care and
management of cancer on national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels.

The DOH shall monitor the implementation of the National Cancer
Management Program (NCMP) and shall submit a report to the President of the
Philippines regarding the program’s efficacy, suggestions and improvements not
later than the 30 of December of each year. The NCMP shall be updated every
five (5) years in response to new knowledge, evidence-based information,
national needs and experience.

SI

6. Tax Exemptions. — All donations, contributions or endowment
that may be made by any entity or person to any Cancer Center shall be exempt
from all taxes, charges and fees imposed by the government or any political
subdivision or instrumentality thereof.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos
(P500,000,000,00) necessary for the initial implementation of the provisions of
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the Department of Health

under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be


necessary for the continued operation of the Cancer Centers and the
implementation of the NCMP shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,