FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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S.B. 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
Explanatory Note 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is known for its strong provisions on 
social justice. In fact, it is the very hallmark of the present fundamental law. 
Social justice includes the earnest delivery of basic services to the people, 
especially the underprivileged who needs it most. 
This bill, more than a mechanism to fulfill the fundamental guarantee on 
the citizens' right to health, is a legislation honouring social justice. And it is 
through the carrying out of a comprehensive program of free vaccination and 
immunization of Filipino infants and children. 
This legislation's significance is mirrored more considering that very 
recently, it was reported that about 500,000 Filipino infants annually remain 
unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable illnesses like measles, neonatal 
tetanus, polio and hepatitis B. 
The following factual information deserve attention and rationalizes why 
this legislation deserves to pass soonest: 
1. 
Vaccination for measles is needed as the disease kills. Every 
infant needs to be vaccinated against measles at the age of nine (9) 
months or as soon as possible after nine (9) months as part of 
routine infant vaccination schedule. 
2. 
An early hepatitis B vaccine reduces the chance of being infected 
and becoming a carrier. It prevents liver cirrhosis which are more 
likely to develop if infected with hepa B early in life. Likewise, 
the statistics indicate that about 9,000 infants die of complication 
of hepa B yearly. 
DPT vaccinations are needed for the reduction of severe pertussis 
sickness amongst children. 
3. 
This bill mandates the Department of Health and all other medical or 
health institutions to conduct and make available immunization and vaccination at 
a faster frequency and access. At present, whilst immunization and vaccination 


are done all over the country, it is on a timebased: quarterly in far-flung areas 
and monthly in barangay health stations. 
Immediate enactment of this bill is 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S.B 
Introduced by Senator ViUar 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL 
PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH, 
THROUGH THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE 
VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO 
INFANTS AND CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. 
The citizen’s right to health is a fundamental guarantee 
ensconced in the supreme law. It is a declared policy thus that “[tlhe State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them.” 
Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have 
become expensive and has not been accessible for poor families, it is hereby 
declared that the same should be made available for free administration and 
comprehensively adopted as a program of social justice. 
Section2. 
The Department of Health through all government 
hospitals, 
its satellite offices, 
accredited government clinics and medical 
institutions shall provide for free the following vaccination and immunizations for 
infants and children: 
a. 
HepatitisB; 
b. 
c. 
H. Influenza type b; 
d. 
Polio (Salk injected); 
e. 
Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis) 
f. 
g. 
Varicella (chicken pox) 
Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by the parents on account of 
religious belief that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical 
reasons and which is certified by a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other 
valid reason that may be advanced by the parents of the infant or child, as 
DPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough); 
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles); 


necessary. Provided, further, that a certain day of the week must be devoted for 
immunization and vaccination in all local government unit health centers. 
Section 3. 
The Department of Health in consultation with the national 
association of pediatrics and recognized experts of the private sector, non- 
govenunental organizations and peoples’ organizations and academe on child 
health and care, children’s rights and parental guidance, shall issue the relevant 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
Section4. 
The amount of one billion pesos (P 1,000,000,000.00) 
annually to implement the provisions of this Act covering the comprehensive free 
immunization and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in 
the budget of the Deparlment of Health in the General Appropriations Act. 
One percent (1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and 
controlled corporations shall be collected and to form part of the fund that may be 
used for the purpose. 
Section 5. 
If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
Section6. 
All executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
Section7. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,