Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to ensure that each Filipino shall have the chance to access annual 
medical check-up that is free of charge in any government hospital and institution to promote 
their right to quality health care services and prevent disease, disability, and death. 
Health is a basic human right guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution. It is indicated in 
Article II, Section 15: “The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill consciousness among them. Further, Article XIII, Section 11 adds: “The State shall adopt 
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to 
make essential goods, health, and other services available to all the people at affordable cost. 
There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children.” 
Over the years, health policies in the Philippines have evolved in response to 
increasing health demands.  However, many problems besetting our country’s health care 
system remain. According to DOH, many Filipinos still die from diseases that are preventable 
and treatable with cost-effective interventions, including heart diseases, diseases of the 
vascular system, pneumonia, malignant neoplasms/cancers, all forms of tuberculosis, COPD 
and allied conditions, diabetes, mellitus, nephritis/nephritic syndrome and other diseases of 
the respiratory system.1  Six out of ten Filipinos die without being medically attended to by a 
physician.2 
The Universal Healthcare Law recognizes the importance of primary healthcare, 
including preventive care, to which medical checkups fall under. However, it does not 
guarantee that every single health expense will be made free.  As published on a news website 
(2019)3, a study conducted by PhilCare found that nearly half of the Filipinos were “not sure if 
1 https://doh.gov.ph/node/1058 
2 https://phmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PHM-Philippines-case-study-for-PHM-Health-Systems-
circle-Oct-16-2020.pdf 
3 https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/05/1932014/philippines-healthcare-unaffordable 
July 11, 2022
5:18 pm
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they can afford the cost of regular medical check-ups.” It added that the Philippines is the 
second most expensive country in terms of medical expenses in Southeast Asia as concluded 
by the Mercer Marsh Benefits 2019 Medical Trends Around the World report. 
Significant disparities in access to quality healthcare services among socio-economic groups 
exist. Hence, this bill aims to ensure that every Filipino is given access to promotive and 
preventive health services by reducing their out-of-pocket health care costs. 
Considering the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR 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: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Free Annual Medical 
Check-Up Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principle. – It is the policy of the State to support and 
promote the right to health by enhancing programs which focus on preventive and 
curative medicine that advance the health and well-being of Filipinos and prevent 
disease, disability, and death. Pursuant thereto, Filipinos shall be entitled to an annual 
medical check-up that is free of charge in any government hospital and institution. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. – All Filipino Citizens, by virtue of their membership in the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) mandated under Republic Act 
No. 11223, or the "Universal Health Care Law", shall be entitled to the applicable 
benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Program. 
Members shall be entitled to a free annual medical check-up that shall include 
blood sugar and cholesterol tests. Laboratory and diagnostic tests shall be expanded, 
subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds. 
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SECTION 4. Schedule of Free Medical Check-Up. – To promote health, identify 
risks, and ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows 
access to a free annual medical check-up and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded 
the quality health care services that they deserve. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be 
charged against the PhilHealth funds. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Health 
shall, in coordination with PhilHealth, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
for the proper implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days from its 
effectivity. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,