Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

8232

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Nine months since our lock-downs began and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our
country is still experiencing a steady increase of COVID-19 infections, with a total of more
than 448,000 cases at present, As we continue to navigate our way to beating this pandemic,
we proactively try to propose measures and policies which could help our nation combat
COVID-19. This bill seeks to legislate free access to two of our weapons in bringing an end
to this pandemic: testing and vaccination.

In our fight against COVID-19, free and accessible testing is indispensable. We know this
from the experience of other countries who have successfully controlled the spread of the
virus. Unfortunately, many of our countrymen do not have access to COVID-19 testing given
the high prices. Recently, the government tried to make it more accessible by setting a price
cap ranging from P3,800 to P5,000 per RT-PCR swab test. In spite of these price caps, these
swab tests remain unaffordable for most our countrymen. This Representation believes we
will only make these RT-PCR swab tests within the reach of our countrymen by making it
free. Government must subsidize it in all government hospitals for us to get a better picture
of where we are in the fight against this pandemic,

On the side of the vaccination, foreign pharmaceutical companies are presently racing to
develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The first vaccine was recently administered in the United
Kingdom. The Department of Health has since reported that Philippines’ purchase and
distribution of Covid-19 vaccines can only be made starting the second quarter of 2021.

Considering the current progress in the vaccine race and the DOH's timeline regards the
purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, this Representation believes that it is only
appropriate that the Department of Health, in coordination with local government units and
other the Department of Interior and Local Government, plan for the safe, efficient and timely
distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine by creating a program that would ensure the
maximization of the impact of the vaccines on minimizing the transmission of the disease.


The early preparation of a comprehensive vaccination plan will allow for the speedy
distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines; and will consequently hasten the resumption of normal
activities which would greatly help our economy's recovery. We must make the vaccine free
and accessible to our countrymen if we are to put an end to this pandemic.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

IMYRA S. ily
"5 id District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8232

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE AND ACCESSIBLE COVID-19 TESTING AND
VACCINATION PROGRAM NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Sec. 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "The Free and Accessible COVID-
19 Testing and Vaccination Act of 2020".

Sec. 2. Coverage. — Every person within the Philippine territory who requests to be
tested shall be entitled to a free COVID-19 RT-PCR diagnostic test. Every person within
the Philippine territory who requests to be vaccinated shall be entitled to a free COVID-
19 vaccine.

Sec. 3. COVID-19 Testing Program. - The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging
Infectious Diseases shall create a program to make COVID-19 testing free and accessible
for every person within the Philippine territory. No person shall be denied a COVID-19
RT-PCR diagnostic test due to its cost, with the said cost to be borne by the government
from the current appropriations of the Department of Health.

Sec. 4, COVID-19 Vaccination Program. - The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging
Infectious Diseases shall create a program for the safe, efficient and timely distribution
of COVID-19 vaccines to every Filipino. The program shall include a comprehensive plan
which identifies the logistical needs for the transport, storage, and distribution of
vaccines, and the strategic, scientific and ethical prioritization of the distribution of
vaccines towards maximizing the impact of the vaccines on minimizing the transmission
of the disease.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - To ensure the safe delivery of
COVID-19 Vaccines, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases is


directed to collaborate with the local government units. The Department of Health shall
thereby formulate and promulgate the pertinent rules and regulations for the
implementation of this Act within forty-five (45) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged against current appropriations of the Department of Health. Thereafter,
such sums necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act. Private sector funding for the COVID-19 Testing Program and
COVID-19 Vaccination Program shall be permitted. Private companies may avail of any
tax incentives/credits present under current tax laws for their financing of the COVID-19
Testing Program and COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part, section or provision of this
Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules
and regulations, and other issuances, or part or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication
in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever
comes earlier.

Approved,