SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TIlE 
REPUULlC OF TilE .)JlILIPPINES 
}i'irst Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 915 
'13 .lULlS P 1 :49 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act 9288, otherwise known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, illustrates a 
procedure to detect a genetic and metabolic disorder in newborns that may leij,d to mental 
retardation and even death if left untreated. 
In many countries, newborn screening has been a mechanism that protects babies from health 
risks. In our country, the IUles and regulations implementing the Newborn Screening Act 
recommended the conditions to be included in the newborn screening panel of disorders. 
According to the Philippine Pediatrics Society, the advancement of newborn screening has 
succeeded in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with certain congenital disorders as it 
allows timely medical intervention for diagnosed patients. Affected children identified through 
newborn screening can lead normal lives with the help of prompt and appropriate medical 
management 1 
Recognizing the importance of newborn screening, this bill expands the number of disorders for 
which newborn infants in the country are required to be tested by law. Specifically, this bill 
provides for the expansion of the prescribed list of disorders for which testing is required under 
the implementing rules and regulations ofR.A. 9288. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
, 
~..-l--~\~~ 
ANTON 0" ON y,:k. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
National 
Newborn 
Screening 
Society 
of 
the 
Philippines. 
Data 
retrieved 
at 
http://wwl.DlPs.org.ph/l!Q!ky._statements/screeninginbornerrors.ru!f on 11 March 2009 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PIULD'PINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL 18 P 1 :49 
SENATE 
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lnirmluced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" If. TrillaneslV 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING TIlE NI1MBER OF DISORDIERS INCLlJDED IN THE NEWBORN 
SCREENING PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Newborn Screening Panel of 
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Disorders Act". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State that in the 
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interests of public health, every effort should be made to detect in newborn infants, 
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hypothyroidism, galactosemia, phenylketonuria, and other biochemical disorders which may 
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cause mental retardation or other permanent disabilities and to treat the atfected individuals. 
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SEC. 3. NewboTll Screening Panel ofDisortlers. - All infants born in the country shall, 
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pursuant to the Newborn Screening (NBS) Act, be tested for the hereditary disorders such as, but 
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not limited to, the following: 
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a) congenital hypothyroidism; 
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b) galactosemia; 
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c) phenylketonuria; 
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d) cystic fibrosis; 
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,.'1/ 
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e) congenital adrenal hyperplasia; 
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f) maple syrup urine disease; 
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g) homocystinuria 
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h) biotinidase deficiency; 
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i) medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency; 
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j) HIVseropositivity; 
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k) sickle cell disease; and 
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I) other blood abnonnalities as determined by the Department. 
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The Secretary of the Department of Health, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall 
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issue regl1lations to assure that newborns are so tested in a manner approved by the same 
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Department. The Secretary shall also ensure that treatment services are available to all identified 
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individuals. 
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The provisions of this Act shall not apply if the parents of a newborn infant object to the 
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testing on the grounds that it would conflict with their religious tenets or practices. 
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SEC. 4. Tasks of the Department of Health. - The Department of Health, hereinafter 
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referred to as the Department, shall perform the following tasks: 
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a) may charge a reasonable fee for the tests performed pursuant to this Act, and 
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determine the procedures for collecting such; 
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b) shall apply all revenues collected from the fees to the testing and treatment 
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procedures perfonned pursuant to this Act; 
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c) may also require testing of newborn infants for other preventable biochemical 
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disorders if reliable and efficient testing techniques are available; 
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d) shall provide a program of reviewing and following up on positive cases in order that 
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measures may be taken to prevent mental retardation or other permanent disabilities; 
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e) shall conduct an intensive educational and training program among physicians, 
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hospitals, public health uurses and the public concerning biochemical disorders. 
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SEC. 5. Information Related to Disorders in the NBS. - Information on newborn 
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infants and their families compiled pursuant to this Act may be used by the Department and 
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agencies designated by the Secretary for the purposes of carrying out this Act; otherwise, the 
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information shall be confidential and not divulged or made public so as to disclose the identity of 
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any person to which it relates, except as provided by law. The program indicated in Section 3 (d) 
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shall include information concerning the nature of the disorders, testing for the detection of these 
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disorders and treatment modalities for these disorders. 
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
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be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by snch declaration shall 
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remain in full force and etTect. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -- All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with the 
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provisions ofthis Act are herei?y repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3