NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
1239
fvi ■:;l ^enntf
ot liir ctarp
'22 AUG 31 A 9 38
RKCEIVED BV;
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"Prevention is better than cure" is an adage we oftentimes hear, which 
suggests that it is better to avoid something bad to begin with, rather than deal with 
its consequences later. In matters of healthcare, it is a reminder to be careful and 
engage in wellness and prudent practices to avoid getting ill rather than deal with it 
by treatment after it has already set-in.
To illustrate, as a preventive measure against Covid-19, we are frequently 
reminded to wear face masks, wash hands frequently, sanitize, practice social 
distancing, avoid close contact with infected persons, and essentially, to have 
ourselves vaccinated against the virus. Adopting these prudent practices is way 
better than being unmindful. If infected with Covid-19, one may experience 
symptoms, such as fever, colds and cough, tiredness, difficulty in breathing or 
shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste and smell, and other myriad of conditions 
that may be worrisome, pose difficulties to cure and may entail costly medical 
treatment. Moreover, a person infected with the coronavirus has to undergo the 
inconvenience of being quarantined or isolated, which disrupts one's work, livelihood 
and quality time with family.


The same is true for other prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 
the country, such as cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, stroke), cancers, 
diabetes mellitus, lung/chronic respiratory diseases, chronic kidney disease, among 
others. NCDs have become the major cause of disease burden in the Philippines. In 
2019, NCDs accounted for about 70% of the 600,000 deaths nationwide, and this 
figure is projected to increase in the coming years. The treatment for NCDs is 
expensive as it requires periodic laboratory diagnostics and physician consults, 
maintenance medications, and expensive hospitalizations for complications.1 The 
onset of NCDs, also called lifestyle are preventable, if one will be more cautious and 
engage in healthy lifestyle, such as making it a habit to exercise, eating a balanced 
healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol intake, and getting ample rest and sleep.
Apart from having a healthy lifestyle, it is also a form of preventive healthcare 
for people to have regular medical checkups, at least once every year. It is through 
medical checkups that doctors keep tract of the overall health of a patient, detect 
diseases early on, increase the patient's chances of getting better treatment and 
cure, reduce healthcare cost, and boost lifespan and well-being. Annual physical 
examinations will help in keeping people more aware of the condition of their bodies, 
the risk factors involved, and what to do in order to prevent severe health issues.
The attached bill advocates for the application of preventive healthcare as it 
provides for Free Annual Medical Check-Up for Filipinos. This is in keeping with the 
constitutional policy that "the State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them."2 This is also in accord 
with Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law, which has for its 
purpose, among others, the adoption of a healthcare model that provides all Filipinos 
access to a comprehensive set of quality and cost-effective, promotive, preventive, 
curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services without causing financial
1 Ulep, V., Uy, J, and Casas, L December 2020. Primary Health Care for Noncommunicable Diseases 
in the Philippines. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. 
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATTONS/pidsdps2039.pdf
2 The 1987 Philippine Constituttion, Article II, Section 15.


hardship, and prioritizes the needs of the population who cannot afford such 
services.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No.
»£>ffirp of the riTttU’P
*22 AUG 31 A 9 38
ftHCEiVi:D BV;
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Annual Medical
2 
Check-Up Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principle. - It is the policy of the State to support and
4 
promote the right to health by enhancing programs which focus on preventive and
5 
curative medicine that advance the health and well-being of Filipinos and prevent
6 
disease, disability, and death. Pursuant thereto, Filipinos shall be entitled to an
7 
annual medical check-up that is free of charge in any government hospital and
8 
institution.
9 
Sec. 3. Coverage. - All Filipino Citizens, by virtue of their membership in the
10 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) mandated under Republic Act
11 
No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Law", shall be entitled to the applicable
12 
benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program.
13 
Members shall be entitled to a free annual medical check-up that shall include
14 
blood sugar and cholesterol tests. Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be
15 
expanded, subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds.


1 
Sec. 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. - To promote health, identify
2 
risks, and ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows
3 
access to a free annual medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded
4 
the quality health care services that they deserve.
5 
Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be
6 
charged against the PhilHealth funds.
7 
Sec. 6. Impiementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Department of
8 
Health shall, in coordination with PhilHealth, promulgate the necessary rules and
9 
regulations for the proper implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days
10 
from its effectivity.
11 
Sec. 7. Separabiiity Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
12 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
13 
force and effect.
14 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
15 
regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
16 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
17 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
18 
Philippines.
Approved,