Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ G88

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them, adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development, establish and maintain an
effective food and drug regulatory system, and undertake appropriate health
manpower development and research responsive to the country's health needs
and problems.

The increasing number of Filipinos contracting Hepatitis - B and cancer of
the liver is getting more alarming. The government therefore needs to take
immediate actions to abate the spread of virus and its threat to human health
especially to new born babies. This bill seeks to promote proper education and
preventive programs pertaining to Hepatitis - B and liver cancer. The bill
proposes to celebrate Hepatitis — B and Liver Cancer Awareness on the month of
February of every year to be led by the Department of Health and each local
government units.

In view of addressing the increasing cases of Filipinos infected with these

life — threatening diseases, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly
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sought.
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AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO
2° District, Province of lloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 988

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS “LIVER
CANCER AND HEPATITIS — B AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

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

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Liver Cancer
and Hepatitis - B Awareness and Prevention Month Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them, adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development,
establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system, and
undertake appropriate health manpower development and research responsive
to the country’s health needs and problems.

In furtherance of this constitutional mandate, this Act aims to declare the
month of February of every year as the awareness and prevention month for liver
cancer and hepatitis — B.

SEC. 3. Awareness Month. - The month of February of every year shall
be designated as the "Liver Cancer and Hepatitis — B Awareness and Prevention
Month"

SEC. 4. Public Education and Awareness Program. - To ensure the
meaningful observance of the month as herein declared, a comprehensive public
education and awareness program shall be undertaken on the communicable
disease of Hepatitis - B. The program shall specifically discuss the causes,
transmission, consequences, diagnoses, treatments and the prevention of-
Hepatitis - B, including the need for immediate infant immunization and the
indispensability of observing the correct schedule and dosage, as well as the
importance of child and adult vaccination, for a holistic approach in battling the
virus

SEC. 5. Interagency and Multi — Sectoral Effort. - The Department of
Health on the part of the national government, and the cities and municipalities
on the part of the local governments shall lead the implementation of
comprehensive public education and awareness program on liver cancer and
hepatitis — B through the collaborative interagency and multi — sectoral effort at


all levels. It shall particularly ensure widespread and expeditious public
information about the benefits of compulsory routine immunization for hepatitis —
B of all infants within twenty - four (24) hours after birth.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Department of Health
shall promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,