Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No._ 4756

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L, Roque Jr.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL IRON DEFICIENCY
AWARENESS PROGRAM, AND PROVISION OFFREE IRON SUPPLEMENTS IN

HEALTH CENTERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution provides in Article II, Section 15 that, “[tJhe state shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among

them.”

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most alarming micronutrient deficiency
in the country. It afflicts half of pregnant Filipinos. Not only are these women at risk for
developing fatal complications during child birth, their children are also more likely to
develop IDA.It is the leading cause of years lived with disability among Filipino children, as
one in four of them suffer impaired muscle function, energy generation, and brain

development due to IDA.

The technical feasibility of eradicating IDAis the most researched topic in
nutrition science, Iron fortified foods have been developed since the 1940s. While
technologies such as food fortification have been enacted since the year 2000, the trend of

iron deficiency among women of child bearing age still worsens,


To curb these trends, the WHO recommends daily elemental iron of 60mg
supplements to all pregnant women in our setting, Unfortunately, a majority of women are

aware of this nutrition opportunity, much less consume the recommended daily amount

This bill will add sustained policy support to decrease the disease burden of IDA by
providing a National Iron Deficiency Education Campaign to afford women their options in
better nourishing themselves. This bill also provides funding to provide free iron supplements
in health centers, Foregoing premises considered, the immediate approval of this bill is

earnestly solicited

H. HARRY L. ROQUE JR.


Republic of the Philippines
OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HB. No, "©

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr

ICIENCY AWARENESS,

AN ACT PROVIDING A NATIONAL IRON D)
IN HEALTH CENTERS

EN’

PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FREE IRON SUPPLE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:
PARTI
Introductory Provisions
Section 1. Title, — This Act shall be known as the “Iron Deficiency Awareness and

Prevention Act”.

Sec. 2, Promotion of the Beneficial Effects of Iron Supplementation among

‘The Department of Health (DOH) shall carry out a

‘Women of Child Bearing Ag
program, directly or through special arrangements with other government agencies and other
Promotional entities engaged in public information activities, to provide education and
training for health professionals and the general public for purposes of explaining the effects
of iron in preventing morbidity and mortality in the obstetric and pediatric populations, and
encourage women of reproductive capacity to consume the appropriate amount of iron as a

dietary supplement on a daily basis


Pursuant thereto, the Secretary of Health may consult the appropriate public
and private entities, including national nonprofit and nongovernment organizations, health
professionals, and health insurance and health plan providers, to ensure the success of such
education and training program. Additionally, the Secretary shall, directly or in tandem with
other sectors, provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private organizations to

fulfill the mandate provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof.

Sec. 3. Continuing Research and Study on the Effects of IronSupplementation, ~
‘The DOH shall conduct continuing studies on the effects of iron to increase the understanding
of the same on the health of the citizenry, especially its contribution to the prevention of
morbidity and mortality in the obstetric and pediatric population. It shall likewise conduct
research with respect to such education and training, including identifying effective strategies
for increasing the rate of consumption of iron by women of reproductive capacity. In
addition, it shall provide for appropriate activities regarding iron deficiency anemia and its

complications.

Sec. 4, Evaluation of Program Implementation. ~ The Secretary of Health shall
cause the review of the program to evaluate the activities carried out, pursuant to Sections 2
and 3 hereof, have been effective in fulfilling the goals of the program, including their effect
on different sectors of the population, Methods of evaluation to be undertaken pursuant
thereto include surveys of knowledge and attitudes on the consumption of iron supplements

on serum iron levels, and the complete and timely treatment of infants born with IDA.

Sec. 5. Free Iron Supplements in Health Centers. — This Act also provides for
funding for free iron supplements in barangay health centers for pregnant women under the

care of a health professional


Sec. 6, Funding, — The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department’s program
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act

Seo. 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 thereby

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, modified or amended accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effeetivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette,

Approved,