Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

HOUSE BILL NO._ 628
Introduced by Honorable Cristina “Chiqui” Roa-Puno

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The number of Filipinos afflicted with and dying from cancer has reached
alarming levels. Survival rates in the Philippines for the most common adult
cancers are relatively low compared to other countries. The Philippines has the
highest mortality rate for breast cancer (27 per 100,000 population) and for
Prostate cancer (13 per 100,000 population) among Asian countries.

Filipino children stricken with this debilitating disease have a smaller chance of
survival compared to kids in high-income and middle-income economies. The
numbers paint a harrowing scenario for Filipino kids diagnosed with the
disease: there is a low 30 percent average survival rate for childhood cancers
treuted in the Philippines as compared to 84 percent in high-income countries.

This data becomes even more distressing given that most cancers are now
curable. Survival rates for various types of cancers in middle to high-income
countries now range from 60 to 96 percent, according to data from the World
Health Organization.

A recent report by the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that | in every 10
registered deaths in the country is due to cancer. According to a 2012 study of
the International Agency for Research on Cancer, every hour sevon Filipinos dic
of cancer und 11 new adult cases are diagnosed. Experts apree that the actual
cancer burden and cancer mortality in the Philippines are even higher, as many
cases remain unreported.

Many of our fellow Filipinos are dying from cancer not because the disease is
incurable, but because they lack the financial capacity for medical treatment,
and government support remains unavailable to them. Cancer treatment drains
patients and their families not only physically and emotionally, but more so


financially. A study has shown that the cost of cancer treatment far exceeds
household incomes, often plunging many families into financial catastrophe.’

Faced with an ever-increasing financial burden, many patients opt to abandon or
discontinue treatment. In some areas and with certain types of cancer, up to 75%
choose to either abandon or discontinue treatment. Thus, even if most cancers
are now curable, our countrymen continue to suffer and die from this disease.
Worse, according to the World Health Organization, the incidence of cancer by
2030 is projected to increase by as much as 80%, with the greatest impact to be
felt in low- resource countries like the Philippines.

However, global experts have asserted that 50-60% of cancer mortality in low-
resource countries like the Philippines can be averted with country-specific
strategies for prevention and treatment.

‘This bill seeks to make quality, life-saving cancer treatment accessible to all
Filipinos of all genders and ages by institutionalizing an integrated, multi-
disciplinary, multi-sectoral, nationwide cancer control program. This proposed
law aims to increase public investments in programs on robust cancer awareness
and prevention, better screening, early detection, prompt and accurate diagnosis,
responsive palliative care and pain management, timely and optimal treatment,
effective survivorship care, late effects management, and rehabilitation.

‘The bill also sims to establish a network of cancer centers throughout the
country and ease the financial woes of cancer patients by providing them with
financial assistance, medical benefits, better access to affordable medicines, and
all other benefits accorded to persons with disability.

To better understand cancer, a cancer registry shall be established, cancer
awareness campaigns shall be implemented nationwide, and continued cancer
research shall be undertaken as mandated under the proposed law.

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

|A “CHIQUI" ROA-PUNO

2 Ngelangel et al (2016) Philippine Coats in Oncology Study


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 6280
Introduced by Honorable Cristina “Chiqui” Roa-Puno

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER
CONTROL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

ARTICLET
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC, 1, Title — This Act shall be known as the “National Integrated Cancer
Control Act™

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
the right to health of people and instill health consciousness among them. The state
shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which
shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
all people at affordable cost. To this end, the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive cancer control program, which shall:

a Improve survivorship from adult and childhood cancers, by scaling up
essential programs and increasing investments for robust prevention of
cancer, better screening, carly detection, prompt and accurate dingnosis,
responsive palliative care and pain management, timely and optimal
treatment, effective survivorship care and late effects management and
rehabilitation;

b. Support and expand efforts to strengthen integrative, multidisciplinary,
patient- and family-centered cancer control policies, programs, systems,
interventions, and services at all levels of the existing health care
delivery system from the national to the barangay community level;

¢ Provide approprite, accessible, affordable, effective and efficient
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cancer care services, from prevention, diagnosis, to treatment and
rehabilitation, that will ensure that every citizen shall be able to
continue to function und exercise their inherent civil, political,
economic, social, religious, educational, and cultural rights,

d. Make available best possible measures to promote the people's well-
being and to prevent cancer;

¢. Provide effective mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society
individual persons with cancer and survivors, through sustainable
programs of treatment and rehabilitation;

£ Uphold, protect, and promote the basic right to health of all Filipinos
with due attention to cancer care,

g Recognize the role of the private sector in promoting the welfare of
persons with cancer, survivors, their family, and carers and shall
encourage partnership in programs that address their needs and
concems.

SEC, 3. Objectives. Pursuant to the above declaration, the State shall adopt the
following objectives:

a

Decrease overall mortality and impact of all cancers; decrease incidence of
Preventable cancers; and prevent cancer relapse or recurrence and
secondary cancers among persons with cancers und survivors;

. Provide the direction for a coherent, rational, and unified response to the

nation’s cancer problems, concerns and efforts;
Remove inequities in timely access to optimal cuncer treatment and care;

Integrate cancer care, especially the programs of the Department of Health
and the Department of Interior and Local Government;

. Promote health, protection of the rights and freedoms of persons with

cancer, and the reduction of the burden and consequences of cancer on the
persons with cancer, survivors, their fumilies, and carers

Increase support and PhilHealth benefits to make cancer treatment and care
more affordable;

Support cancer survivors to recover, effectively reintegrate, and thrive;


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bh. Ensuring availability and accessibility of essential, affordable and quality
medicines for cancer treatment and care,

i. Establishment of a National Cancer Registry, surveillance system. and

J Establish research and development for cancer control.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a. Allied health professionals refer to any formally educated and trained
non-cancer health professionals such as (but not limited to) physicians,
social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, recreational therapists,
Priests, ministers, pastors and nuns;

b. Cancer refers to a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect

then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs, the
latter process is referred to as metastasizing Metastases are the major
cause of death from cancer,

¢. Cancer Control refers to the aims to reduce the incidence, morbidity and
mortality of cancer and to improve the quality of life of persons with
cancer in a defined population, through the systemic implementation of
evidence-based interventions along the continuum of care from prevention
to end of life.

d. Cancer Registry refers to a database that contains information about
people diagnosed with various types of cancer. The registry shall require
systematic collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and reporting of data
on subjects with cancer. There are two main types: (1) Population-based
cancer registries seck to collect data on all new cases of cancer occurring
in a well-defined population. (2) Hospital-based cancer registries are
concemed with the recording of information on the cancer patients
diagnosed and treated in a particular hospital

¢. Carer refers to the person who may or may not be the next of kin nor
relative of persons with cancer who maintains a close personal relationship
with the person with cancer and manifests concern for his welfare;

f. Comprehensive Cancer Care Center (CCCC) refers to a network of of
cancer care centers, built on the fundamental premise that an integrated,


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highly functioning network. with different categories of cancer centers,
including Specialty Centers, Regional Cancer Centers, satellites, and other
stand-alone clinics, equitably distributed peogruphically for easier patient
access, which shall effectively and quickly address the multi-faceted
challenges of cancer, CCCC has a focused program of work that is
multidisciplinary and integrates cancer research, education, and clinical
care to accelerate the control and cure of cancer.

g¢ Continuum of Care includes risk assessment, prii

imary prevention,
Serlasing, docction, Singassal Vestas wativoatin mand ‘end-oF-ife
care. Palliative care and pain management are considered as an integral,
Toss cutting part of the continuum of care. Movement across the span of
the cancer care continuum involves several types of needed care, as well as
transitions between the types of care. Tipe refers to the care delivered to
accomplish a specific goal, such as detection, dingnosis, or treatment.
Transition refers to the set of interactions necessary to go from one type of
care to another, such as from detection to diagnosis Each type and
transition in care is subject to influences at multiple levels that can
facilitate or impede successful achievement

h. Diagnosis refers to the various techniques and procedures used to detect or

confirm the presence of cancer. Diagnosis typically involves evaluation of
the patient's history, clinical examinations, review of laboratory test results
and radiological data, and microscopic and genotypic examination of tissue
samples obtained by biopsy or fine-needle aspiration or blood samples
obtained by blood extraction.

i. Maultidisciplinary care refers to an integrated (interdisciplinary) team
approach to cancer care in which medical and allied health care
professionals consider all relevant treatment options and develop
collaboratively an individual treatment plan for each patient The
multidisciplinary team includes professionals from different disciplines
forming a team to implement multidisciplinary-interdisciplinary process to
bringing of insights from different disciplines together, contributing to one
plan of management for the patient.

j. National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP) refers to the

program of the national government for the comprehensive and integrated
control of cancer in the Philippines.

k. Notifiable Disease refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be
reported to the public health authority when the diagnosis is made.


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L Palliative Care refers to treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms
caused by cancer. It can help people live more comfortably. Palliative
care relieves suffering and improves quality of life for people of any age
and at any stage of a serious illness, whether that illness is curable, chronic,
fife limiting or life-threatening.

m. Patient Navigation refers to individualized assistance offered to patients,
families, and carers to help overcome health care system barriers and
facilitate timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care, beginning
from pre-diagnosis and extending throughout the continuum of care.

n, Patient Pathway refers to the route that a patient shall take from their first
contact with the health worker, through referral, to the completion of their
treatment. It also covers the period from entry into a hospital or a health
care facility, until the patient leaves.

©. Prevention refers to the following:

Primary Cancer Prevention refers to measures and interventions that shall
decrease the likelihood or risk of an individual of acquiring cancer,

Secondary Cancer Prevention refers to the use of tests to detect a cancer

before the appearance of signs or symptoms (screening) followed by prompt
treatment,

Tertiary Cancer Prevention refers to diagnosis and treatment of clinically
apparent cancer,

p. Social Welfare Assistance refers to help on non-medical costs such as
financial assistance, transient housing, transportation, food and
nutrition, among others,

q. Secondary Cancer refers to cither a second primary cancer or to cancer
that has spread from one part of the body to another (metastatic cancer)

r. Supportive Care refers to the prevention and management of the adverse
effects of cancer and its treatment, including management of physical and
psychological symptoms and side effects across the continuum of care,
rehabilitation, secondary cancer prevention, survivorship and end of life
care.

s. Survivorship refers to care of persons diagnosed with cancer, from the

time of diagnosis throughout their lives, as well as the impact of cancer on
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family members, friends, and carers of survivors.

t. Treatment refers to the series of interventions, including psychosocial and
nutritional support. surgery, radiotherapy, radio-isotope therapy, and drug
therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy,

gene therapy, supportive therapy), that is aimed at curing cancer or
reeling ts Lis OF pasts sth canter ooaaitaridily Sie improving
the quality of life of persons with cancer.

ARTICLE I
THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD
AND THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM

SEC. 5. Establishment of the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory
Board. —The National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Board (NICCAB), shall
be established as an attached agency under the DOH to provide for a coherent,
tational and unified response to cancer problems, concerns and efforts through the
formulation and implementation of the NICCP.

SEC. 6 Duties and Responsibilities of the NICCAB. — The NICCAB shall have
the following duties and responsibilities:

a Formulate the NICCP in close coordination with, and active involvement of
persons with cancer and survivors, their families and their carers, their
respective organizations, and health professionals, with annual targets,
Prioritics and performance benchmarks, for the effective institutionalization of
integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs and services in the
national and local health care system,

b, Plan, establish, and implement cancer control policies, guidelines and
standards for the whole continuum of care, including the development of
Patient pathways, evidenced-based standards of care and clinical practice
guidelines, tailored to the Philippine setting and aimed at improving
survivorship, making cancer care more accessible and affordable, promoting
integrated, multidisciplinary, patient- and family-centered care, and enhancing
the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients and their families,

c. Plan the necessary and urgent capacity building reorientation and training
for all cancer health care providers, medical professionals, and
allied health professionals.

d Ensure the implementation of packages of cancer services, for all ages and all
stages of cancer, ensuring they are provided in an equitable, affordable and
sustainable manner, throughout the continuum of care.


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¢. Develop mechanisms on improvement of core systems and processes related
to availability and affordability of quality, safc, and effective medicines,
including but not fimited 1 those in the World Health Organization List of
Essential Medicines and the Philippine National Formulary, and to include
vaccines, diagnostics for cancer, innovative medicines and technologies, and

compassionate use protocols, as necessary,
£, Empower and engage multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder participation,
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education, training and teaming, information and communication, social
mobilization and resource mobilization,

@ Establish mechanisms and platforms for persons with cancer, their family and
carers, and community engagement, especially on protection and promotion of
the rights of persons with cancer, survivors, their families and carers and their
active involvement in multidisciplinary care, patient navigation, and
survivors’ follow-up care;

hb. Strengthen linkages with local and international organizations for possible
Partnerships in treatment and management of challenging and rare cases,
education, training and learning. advocacy, research, resource mobilization
and funding assistance;

i Create inter-agency committees, project ussk forces and other groups
necessary to implement the policy and program framework of this Act; ;

j. In coordination with relevant government agencies, establish an effective
nationwide cancer education program that will promote the dissemination of
effective strategies regarding cancer control, its components, and services. ;

k. Ensure the collection and analysis of data from Registry and Surveillance; and

L_ Establish # system for program review, monitoring and evaluation, inclusive
of financial aspects and submit an annual report to the Secretary of Health on
the progress, accomplishments, implementation challenges encountered, and
recommendations for the improvement of the NICCP.

m. Review all existing laws related to mental health and recommend legislation
which will sustain and strengthen programs, services and other cancer
initiatives;

n. Perform other duties and functions necessary to carry out the purposes of this
Act;


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SEC. 7. Composition of the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory
Board. The NICCAB shall be composed of the following:

a The Secretary of the Department of Health, who shall serve as the

Chairperson or a designated representative, not lower than Assistant
Secretary, as ex officio member;

b. The Executive Director for Cancer Control, as Vice Chairman:

c. The Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or a
designated representative as ex officio member;

d. The President and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) or a designated representative, as ex officio member;

©. The Secretary of the Deparment of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) or a designated representative, as ox officio member;

f The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or a
designated representative as x officio member;

g The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), or a designated representative as ex officio member,

h The Secrewry ofthe Department of Finance (DOF), or a designited
fepresentative as ex officio member;

i. The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), or o
designated representative as ex officio member;

j. The Secretary of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), or o
designated representative as ex-officio member,

k. The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or a
designated representative as ex officio member,

L Three (3) members drawn from among the cancer-focused professional
societies, as may be determined in accordance with the criteria set under the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this law, to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines;

m. Three (3) members drawn from the academe representing key disciplines of
oncology as may be determined in accordance with the criteria set under the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this law, to be appointed by the
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n. Two (2) members drawn from cancer-focused patient support organizations
and advocacy networks, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines.

Within thirty (30) days from the date of this Act, the President of the
Philippines shall appoint the members of the NICCAB.

‘The Cancer Program in the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the
Department of Health shall act as the secretariat for the NICCAB.

SEC. 8. Term of Office. — The appointed members of the NICCAB shall serve for
three (3) years. In case a vacancy occurs in the NICCAB, any person chosen to fill
the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whom he/she
suceveded

SEC. 9. Meetings. - The NICCAB shall meet at least once per quarter or as
saucane (hubptigron Aaibayised chapleormteenbrag The NICCAB shall be
convened by the Chairman or upon written request of at least three (3) of its
members.

SEC. 10. Quorum, — The presence of a majority of the members of the NICCAB
shall constitute a quorum.

SEC. 11. Per Diem. — The members of the NICCAB shall receive reasonable per
diems and transportation allowance, subject to the existing rules and regulations of
the Department of Budget and Management.

SEC. 12. Appointment of an Executive Director for Cancer Control. (a) In order
to ensure that this law shall be effectively operationalized and implemented, the
NICCAB shall appoint an Executive Director for Cancer Control under the cancer
unit of the Department of Health who shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The
Executive Director shall be eligible for one (1) reappointment and shall not be
removed from office except in accordance with existing laws.

SEC. 13. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director for Cancer
Control. The Executive Director for Cancer Control shall coordinate all of the
activities of the Department of Health relating to cancer with the NICCAB. In
carrying out the NICCP, the Executive Director shall:

a Provide operational leadership, undertake coordination with program
stakeholders, and ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the
NICCP,


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b. Formulate, develop and implement, subject to the approval of the
NICCAB, measures that will effectively carry out the policies aid down by
the NICCAB;

¢. Execute and administer approved policies, programs and measures and
allocate appropriate resources for their implementation;

d. Recommend to the Secretary of Health the appointment of personnel
required to implement the NICCP including supervisory, technical, clerical
and other personnel in accordance with the staffing pattems and
organizational structure approved by the NICCAB;

¢ Represent the NICCAB in all of its official transactions or dealings and
authorize legal contracts, annual reports, financial statements and other
documents,

£ Oversee the development of cancer measures for sub-programs and
components;

& Integrate the various programs, project and activities from the vurious
program development and management groups for cach sub-program.

h, Manage the various sub-programs and components of the NICCP;

i. Oversee the implementation of prevention and control measures for cancer
issues and concerns,

J. Maintain a close and functional relationship with the offices and bureaus of
the DOH, other government and private entities concerning cancer;

k. Responsible for the regulation, licensing, monitoring, and assessment of all
cancer facilities in accordance with the NICCP; and

1. Supervise the development and coordination of locally available cancer
care services by the local government units in a manner consistent with this
Act.

SEC. 14. Salary. — The Executive Director shall receive a salary to be fixed by the
NICCAB in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law.

SEC, 15. National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP) — Within six (6)
months from the effectivity of this Act and immediately after the appointment of all
members of the NICCAB, the NICCAB shall convene and develop the National


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Integrated Cancer Control Program For purposes of this Act, the NICCP shall
constitute a quality cancer control program, which shall:

a)

b)

©)

d)

e)

f)

2)

h)

i)

i)

Enhance integrated cancer services;
Promote the protection of persons utilizing cancer services;

Prescribe measures for prevention and control of cancer through the
development of efficient and effective structures, systems and
mechanisms, and the effective delivery of cancer care to all its
stakeholders by qualified, competent, compassionate and ethical health
professionals and health workers.

Provide for an age-specific schedule of cancer, including commonly
known cancer as well as risk factors that have been clinically
determined to cause cancer,

Provide for the duties and responsibilities of each goverment agency
concemed with cancer control in the implementation of the NICCP;

Provide the responsibilities of the service users, his or her family, carers,
professionals and facilities that will ensure maximum effectivity of
implemented cancer programs;

Provide for innovative and cost-effective cancer care service models for
effectively delivering integrated cancer care in the most appropriate
settings and improving patient care flow from primary to tertiary care,

Set quality and accreditation standards for classification of cancer
focused institutes/centers to Specialty Centers, Regional Cancer
Centers, satellites, stand-alone clinics, and other facilities and develop
clearly defined paticnt pathways to ensure integration and connection as
cccc,;

Set quality and accreditation standards for cancer health care providers,
medical professionals, allied health professionals, as well as, ethical
cancer research: and

Institute a nationwide cancer information and education program.


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ARTICLE UL
CANCER CONTROL IN THE COMMUNITY

SEC. 16 Strengthen Cancer Control in Public Health Systems.— The
Department of Health in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and
its instrumentalities, shall strengthen the capacity of public health systems and
facilities, in the provision of services, in the continuum of care, through the
performance of key activities, including, but not limited to:

{a) Allocation of adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation
or upgrade, inclusive of technologies and equipment for use in the continuum
of care;

(b) Implementation of patient pathways as set by NICCAB across levels of health
service delivery,

{c) Provision of reliable supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related
vaccines (HPV, Hepatitis B) to persons with cancer by ensuring that health
facilities and local health centers, through coordination with
LGUs, consistently have sufficient supply of essential medicines and vaccines;

(d)Enhancement and strengthening of the oncology related competencies
of health providers in all levels of care;

(c) Establishment and strengthening community level of care for persons with
cancer and survivors of all gender and ages,

(f) Ensuring the proper recording, reporting and monitoring of cancer cases, of all
gender and ages, in all levels of care;

(g)Interconnect CCCC, regional cancer centers, specialty centers, privately
managed cancer centers, relevant health facilities, and international
institutions, for knowledge and resource sharing; and

{h) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the NICCAB.

SEC. 17. Establishment of Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers in strategic
areas of the country. — The NICCAB shall develop standards to classify cancer
centers, accredit and designate Regional Cancer Centers, Specialty Centers,
satellites, and other facilities that will ensure integration and thei connection as
CCCCs.

The Regional Cancer Centers shall have the following objectives and functions:


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(a) Provide timely and high-quality cancer services such as screening, diagnosis,

survivors of all gender and ages;

(b) Establish CCCCs with both public and private facilities, to improve access,
expand range of services, reduce costs and bring services closer to persons
with cancer,

(¢) Provide and promote supportive care, palliative care and pain management,
patient navigation, hospice care and other measures to improve the well-being
and quality of life of persons with cancer, their families and carers,

(d) Ensure there are separate units and facilities for children/adolescents with

(c)Design and implement high-impact, innovative, and relevant local
communications campaigns that are context and culture-sensitive, and aligned
with national programs;

(f) Undertake and support the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians,

health officers, social workers, and other allied health

professionals on evidence-based, good practice models for delivery of
Tesponsive, multidisciplinary, integrated cancer services:

(g) Address the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of persons with cancer and
survivors;

(h)Adapt and promote evidence based innovations. good practice models,
equitable, sustainable strategies and actions across the continuum of care;

(i) Engage and collaborate with LGUs, private sector, philanthropic institutions
and civil society organization to make available programs and services for
social welfure assistance to cancer families and cancer survivors;

Gj) Promote and/or assist in ethical scientific research on matters related wo
cancer, and

(k) Institutionalize and implement the comprehensive and integrated NICCP.

SEC. 18. Capacity Building for Health Care Workers. — The Department of
Health in collaboration with cancer-focused professional societies, LGU leagues and
LGU-based health associations, academic institutions, human resources units of
cancer centers, civil society organizations, and the private sector shall create and
implement competency-based learning packages, for all health care workers


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providing cancer care service and support at all levels of the healthcare delivery
system. This continuing leaming program shall include adoption and
institutionalization of cost-effective, leurner friendly, learning platforms and
modalities, so as to broaden reach and accelerate enhancement of key competencies
of health providers.

SEC. 19. Local Budgetary Allocation — Local Health Boards of municipalities,
cities and provinces shall allocate at least five percent (5%) of its annual budget for
cancer services and cancer facilities necessary for the effective implementation of
the provisions of this Act. This allocation for cancer control by local health boards
shall be used to develop and coordinate a system of affordable and locally available
cancer services in accordance with the provisions of this Act, including the
following:

#) Education and prevention services;
b) Screening services,

) Residential treatment services.

SEC. 20. Local Health Care Facilities. — Each local government unil, upon its
determination of the necessity based on well-supported data provided by its local
health office, shall endeavor to establish or upgrade hospitals and facilities with
aduaunse wid Goutal pestenel otiquion ted manatee to be able to provide
cancer care services and to address cancer emergencies. Provided, that people on
geographically isolated and or highly populated and depressed areas shall have the
Pemachdtotie acne San weal ger hed Alaa Ti Rare means such
home visits or mobile health care clinics, as needed. Provided, further, that
national government shall provide additional and necessary funding and
necessary assistance for the effective implementation of this provision.

H

ARTICLE IV
RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH CANCER

SEC. 21. Rights of a Person with Cancer, — Every Person with Cancer shall have
the following rights

a) The right to be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity
of the human person.

b) The right against discrimination on the ground of cancer.


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c) The right to exercise all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
without any discrimination on grounds of physical disability, age, gender,
sexual orientation, race, color, language, civil status, religion or national or
ethnic or social origin of the service user concerned as recognized in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Convenant on
Civil Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons.

d) The right to receive treatment of the same quality and standards as other
individuals in a safe and conducive environment.

©) The right to be adequately informed about the disease and the services
available to cater to their needs and the treatment options available and to
actively consent to, and participate in the formulation of, such services and
treatment plans

f) The right to live and work, to the extent possible, in the community.

g) The right to confidentiality of all information, communication and records
about themselves, tliness and treatment in whatever form stored.

SEC, 22. Designation of Persons with Cancer as Persons with Disabilities, —
Persons with Cancer shall be deemed as persons with disabilities (PWDs) under
Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. The
appropriate national government agency shall ensure that they ure accorded the same
rights and privileges as PWDs, to wit:

(a) DSWD shall provide assistance to persons with cancer and survivors to ensure
that their soctal welfare and benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7277,
as amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, are granted; und

(b)DOLE adopt programs that promote the availability of opportunities for work
and employment of ablo-persons with cancer and cancer survivors.

SEC. 23. Prohibition against cancer-based discrimination. — The State and its
instrumentalities shall ensure that Persons with Cancer and Survivors have the right
to freedom from discrimination with regard to access to and continued employment,
conditions of employment, access to education, use of public facilities. and other
social services.

The provisions on the prohibition against discrimination of persons with disabilities
(PWDs), in accordance with Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, or the Magna

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Cana for Disabled Persons, shall likewise apply to Persons with Cancer and
‘Survivors.

ARTICLE V
CANCER ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS

SEC. 24. Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF), — The State shall
establish a Cancer Assistance Fund to be utilized for the medical diagnostics and
treatment assistance program to be administered by PhilHealth. Every year, the State
shall appropriate the necessary amount for the CAF, as recommended by DOH, in
coordination with the NICCAB. The relevant rules and regulations for the
administration of the fund shall be formulated by DOH, in coordination with the
NICCAB.

SEC, 25. Expansion and Introduction of Innovative PhilHealth Benefits for
Cancers. — PhilHealth shall expand current benefits to include screening, detection,
diagnosis, treatment assistance, palliative and supportive care, survivorship, follow
up care and rehabilitation, for all types and stages of cancer, in both adults and
children. It shall also develop innovative benefit packages such as community-based
models of care to improve cancer treatment journey and reduce costs of care; this
may include, but not limited to, stand-alone chemotherapy infusion centers.
ambulatory care, home-based palliative care and pain management, community
based hospice fiacility.

SEC, 26, Institutionalizing Social Protection Mechanisms for persons with
cancer, survivors, their families and carers, — The DOH, in close coordination
with SSS, GSIS, PCSO, PAGCOR, DOLE, DSWD, and LGUs shall develop
appropriate, easily accessible social protection mechanisms to provide social welfare
assistance to persons with cancer, survivors, their families and carers and to reduce,
if not climinate catastrophic costs of cancer, 90 as to reduce distress and ensure their
well-being.

ARTICLE VI
AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF MEDICINES

SEC. 27. Facilitating Access to Cancer and Related Supportive Care Medicines.
~ The Department of Health and other concerned government agencies (Food and
Drug Administration, PhilHealth, Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc,, Bureau of
Customs, among others) shall implement reforms supporting early access to
essential medicines, including but not limited to those in the World Health
Organization List of Essential Medicines and the Philippine National Formulary, and
health technologies to ensure highest possible fighting chance of survival among
people with cancer This shall include facilitating quick access to drugs for


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compassionate use und developing a more responsive system for effectively
addressing emergency cases.

SEC. 28. Availability and Accessibility of Medicines for Palliative Care and Pain
Management. — The Department of Health shall lead in the provision and
distribution of medicines for palliative care of persons with cancer, such as but not
limited to, analgesics, anesthetics, and opioids and shall be available and accessible
in the community.

SEC, 29. Misinformation on Cancer Cure. - False and misleading advertising and
claims in any of the multimedia and/or promotional marketing of drugs, devices,
agents or procedures without prior approval by the Food and Drug Administration
and without the requisite medical and scientific basis, purporting 10 be a cure for
cancer or a fail-safe prophylaxis against cancer, shall be prohibited.

ARTICLE VIL
NATIONAL CANCER REGISTRY AND SURVEILLANCE

SEC, 30, Establishment of National Cancer Registry and Surveillance System. —
The DOH in collaboration with other private organizations shall design and
implement a national cancer registry and surveillance system covering all forms of
cancer among adults and children to guide policy development and program decision
making. The DOH shall undertake a review of the current population-based and
hospital-based cancer registries towards establishing o comprehensive and
harmonized national cancer registry and surveillance system compliant with the
National Health Data Standards and Data Privacy Act of 2012 and that allows
categorization by type of cancer and population groups including children.

SEC, 31. Strengthen Population-Based and Hospital-Based Cancer Registries, -
‘The Department of Health shall allocate resources to support the institutionalization
of hospital-based cancer registry, Moreover, it shall conduct population-based cancer
data collection on a regular basis or as necessary. Submission of cancer registry shall
be # requirement for the renewal of license to operate of the hospital.

SEC. 32. Notification on Cancer Cases, ~ Adult and childhood cancer shall be
considered as a notifiable disease in all levels of the health care system.

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ARTICLE Vil
EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 33. National Cancer Consciousness Month. — The Department of Health, in
collaboration with partners, shall lead in the celebration of National Cancer
Consciousness Month every February of every year.

SEC. 34. National Cancer Information Service. — The State shall intensify
provision of up-to-date, evidence-based information, as well as practical advice,
support, and referral for persons with cancer, survivors, their families, and carers.
The service shall be provided through the existing Department of Health Call Center.
website, help line or other platforms that may be developed, including that of the
Department of Information, Technology and Communications. This shall increase
cancer literacy and understanding of risk factors associated with cancers, help
combat myths and misconceptions, as well as reduce the anxiety, fear, distress and
uncertainty associated with cancer and/or a cancer diagnosis.

SEC 35. Health Programs in Educational Institutions. — Educational institutions
such as schools, colleges, universities, and technical schools shall develop programs
for students, educators, and other employees designed to: raise awareness on cancer,
correct the stigma and discrimination associated with cancer; identify and provide
support for individuals at risk; and facilitate access of individuals with cancer to
treatment.

SEC 36, Strengthen oncology-related academic curricula of higher educational
institutions (HEIs), — The Commission on Higher Education in collaboration with
DOH and HEIs, professional oncology societies, accrediting institutions and patient
support organizations, shall undertake an assessment of current oncology-related
academic curriculum and ensure that it meets local needs and global practice
standards. The Commission on Higher Education shall encourage HEIs to offer
degree programs for high priority oncology related specializations as well as
continuing education programs related to oncological treatment and care.

SEC. 37. Health Programs and Policies in the Workplace. — Employers shall
develop appropriate policies and programs on cancer in the workplace designed to:
Taise awareness on cancer, correct the stigma and discrimination associated with
cancer, identify and provide support for individuals at risk; und facilitate access of
individuals with cancer to treatment.

SEC, 38. Health Education and Promotion in Communities, — The Department of
Health, in collaboration with partners such as the Department of the Interior and
Local Government, League of Provinces, League of Cities and League of
Municipalities, DOH Regional Offices, local cancer-focused patient support
organizations and professional oncology societies, shall implement a locally based,


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multi-sectoral community response to cancer. This shall not be limited to mformation
and cancer focused health education but shall include assisting persons with cancer,
survivors and their families in accessing community resources for cancer services
and support for effectively coping and living with cancer.

‘The Department of the Interior and Local Government, in coordination with the
Rogional Offices and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall
conduct age-appropriate cancer- focused health education and promotion for out-of-
school youth.

SEC. 39. Health Education and Promotion for Special Communities and

information and education campaigns as well as providing much-needed services to
under-privileged and marginalized population, such as but not limited to, inmates,
indigenous people, workers in the informal sector, and internally displaced persons.

SEC, 40. Research & Demonstration Projects. — Research and demonstration
projects shall be undertaken, in collaboration with academic institutions, cancer
associations, and non-government organizations, to produce the information,
evidence, and research necessary to formulate and develop a culturally-relevant
NICCP incorporating indigenous concepts and practices related tw cancer

High ethical standards in cancer research shall be promoted to ensure that: research
is conducted only with the free and informed consent of the persons involved;
researchers do not receive any privileges, compensation or remuneration in exchange
for encouraging or recruiting participants, potentially harmful or dangerous research
is not undertaken; and all research is approved by an independent ethics committee,
in accordance with applicable law; and

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 41. Report.—The Secretary of Health shall submit an annual report to the
Committees on Health of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the
activities carried out to comply with the provisions of this Act on or before June 30

of every year

SEC, 42. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations
of the Department of Health. Thereafter, ten percent (10%) of the incremental
revenues from the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products collected by the

government pursuant to Republic Act No. 10351 shall be earmarked for the
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SEC. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) — Within (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the
NICCAB, formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC.44, Penalty Clause. — Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
Act or its Implementing Rules and Regulations shall, upon conviction by final
judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more
than two (2) years or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand pesos (PhP10,000), nor
more than Two Hundred Thousand pesos (PhP200,000). or both, at the discretion of
the court. If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible
therefor shall serve the imprisonment when imposed. If violation is committed by an
alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence, without need
of further proceedings

SEC. 45. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain
in full force and effect

SEC. 46. Repeating Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 10 or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly

SEC. 47. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifleen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.