Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _2466 |

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The right to health is an internationally recognized and constitutionally protected right. Article II,
Section 15, and Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandate the State to
promote and protect this right through an integrated and comprehensive approach. While landmark
laws such as the Universal Health Care Act and the Cheaper Medicines Act provided a strong
backbone for domestic health governance, the Philippines still lacks the legal and systemic
infrastructure in shaping or gaining early access to global medical advancements.

In a rapidly changing world, global medical advancements play a vital role in advancing national
health security, interest, and resilience. The quality of human life depends on access to medical,
pharmaceutical, and technological innovations. In the macto-perspective of public health,
strategically integrated global medical advancements reduce long-term health expenditures and
prevent a strained economy amidst global health challenges, public health crises, and disease burden.
In the micro-lens of individual well-being, for conditions previously deemed fatal, untreatable, with
limited treatment, or lacking prophylactic measures, global medical advancements represent
breakthrough lifelines, and early access can spell the critical difference between survival and
mortality. Hence, the benefits of global science must reach the Filipino people in a way that is timely,
‘equitable, and just.

‘This Bill secks to institutionalize health diplomacy as a proactive and strategic tool of international
‘engagement, national health resilience, and public health governance in shaping the direction and
equitable distribution of global medical advancements. In an interconnected world, inter-
government partnerships, international negotiations, global innovation networks, and cross-border
scientific cooperation are formally recognized as diplomatic platforms of progress and synergy. This
Bill then further seeks the creation of Philippine Health Innovation and Diplomacy Council to
centralize and elevate the Philippine’s engagement through policy and program recommendations


that harmonizes foreign relations, health goals, regulatory framework, and innovation integration. In
doing so, this measure becomes a national resilience framework on the evolving health needs of the
Filipino people.

As health becomes a foreign policy imperative, this Bill provides a long-overdue institutional
foundation of a crucial and permanent convergence of foreign policy and health governance. This
Bill advances the right to health in terms of security, resilience, equity, readiness, and synergy.

In view of the foregoing, support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly sought.

REP. GIRLIE\E. VELOSO
Malasakit@Bayaffihan Partylist


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2466

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GIRLIE E. VELOSO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING HEALTH DIPLOMACY AND ENSURING
FILIPINO ACCESS TO GLOBAL MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS, CREATING THE
PHILIPPINE HEALTH INNOVATION AND DIPLOMACY COUNCIL, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Health Diplomacy and
Filipino Access to Global Medical Advancements Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the state to promote and protect
the right to health of all Filipinos, consistent with the Constitution. Towards this end, the state shall
institutionalize health diplomacy as a strategic instrument of foreign policy and public health
governance, thereby safeguarding national health security, upholding global health equity, and
promoting timely and just access to global medical advancements.

SECTION 3. Objectives. — This Act aims to:

(@) Institutionalize health diplomacy as a tool of international engagement, national
development, and public health governance;

(b) Facilitate the timely and equitable access to global medical advancements;

(© Proactively support national health security and public interest through sustained
international health cooperation;

(@ Promote the integration of global medical advancements into the country’s health
system; and


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(© Strengthen the country’s capacity for scientific, technological, and regulatory
collaboration with foreign governments and international organizations.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(@) Health Diplomacy refers to the political, diplomatic, and multi-level engagements and
negotiations by Philippine government agencies and stakeholders with foreign
counterparts, international organizations, and global platforms to advance the health
interest, health security, access rights, and scientific capacities of the Filipino people.

(b) Global Medical Advancements refers to significant progress and innovations in medical
science, technology, and public health, including but not limited to new or emerging
medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostic methods, treatments, therapies, surgical
techniques, and health-related technologies. It also covers the globally recognized
advancements that may still be under regulatory development, clinical evaluation, or
international research collaboration.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Philippine Health Innovation and Diplomacy Council
(PHIDC). — To carry out the purpose of this Act, there is hereby created a Philippine Health
Innovation and Diplomacy Council (PHIDC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall
serve as the primary inter-agency body for advancing the Philippines’ strategic health diplomacy and
ensuring equitable access to global medical advancements.

The Council shall be attached to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for policy
coordination and administrative support. It shall be composed of the following:
1. The Secretary of the DFA - Chairperson
‘The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) ~ Co-Chairperson
‘The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOS') - Member
‘The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Member
‘The Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) ~ Member
“The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) — Member
‘The Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) -
Member
“The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) - Member
9. ‘The Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) - Member
10. The Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) or Chairperson of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) - Member
11. The Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Member
12, The Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) - Member
13. The Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) -
Member
14. The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) - Member

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15. One representatives each from the academe, civil society, and health research institution
with expertise in global health and medical innovation, appointed by the President of the
Philippines ~ Member

‘The Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), as created under R.A. No. 11223, shall
serve as a technical advisory body to the Philippine Health and Innovation Diplomacy Council. It
shall provide evidence-based assessments and recommendations on health technologies, medical
innovations, and interventions being considered under the Council’s diplomatic or strategic

engagements.

‘The heads of government agencies mentioned are authorized to designate permanent
alternated with a rank not lower than Assistant Secretary to represent them during Council meetings
and other official functions. The ex-officio member shall inform the Council in writing of such
designation.

SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. — The Council shall have the
following powers and functions:

(@) Formulate and regularly update a national strategy for health diplomacy that secures
Filipino access to global medical advancements and positions the country as an active
participant in international health cooperation;

(b) Identify and prioritize existing and emerging global medical advancement for potential
access, adoption, collaboration, or integration, in coordination with relevant national
agencies and international partners;

(©) Recommend policies and strategies to facilitate the transfer, importation, regulation and
international participation related to global medical advancement;

(@ Recommend national programs to advance the objective of this Act, and coordinate with
implementing agencies to ensure their inclusion in agency plans, investment priorities,
and budget proposals under applicable budgeting laws and the General Appropriations
‘Act (GAA);

(© Coordinate multi-agency efforts in monitoring, negotiating, and implementing
international health agreements, partnerships, ot cooperative frameworks relevant to
global medical advancements;

(© Convene expert panels, consultative bodies, or technical working groups as necessary to
inform policies and decisions relating to health diplomacy;

(@ Monitor international trends, opportunities, and risks in medical science and public
health that may affect the country’s interest and public welfare;

(h) Provide guidance on legal, ethical, scientific, and trade considerations in engaging with
foreign entities, research bodies, and regulatory counterparts;

() Create and operationalize effective mechanisms for Filipinos to directly benefit from
global medical advancements, including but not limited to access facilitation, equitable
distribution, and integration into public health programs; and



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@) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to fulfil the objectives of this Act, or
as may be assigned by the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 7. Special Authority During Public Health Emergencies. — In the event of
a declaration of a public health emergency by the President of the Philippines, the DOH, or the
‘World Health Organization (WHO), the Council shall undertake strengthened advisory function and
coordination to ensure health diplomacy for global medical advancements. For this purpose, the
Council shall:

(a) Coordinate with the HTAC, the FDA, and other relevant bodies in recommending
urgent policy and regulatory measures to facilitate and streamline the responsible
importation, emergency use, and timely access to global medical advancements,
consistent with the positive recommendations and standards of the HTAC under the
Universal Health Care Law;

(b) Advise the President of the Philippines, and the Secretaries of relevant national agencies
‘on international engagements, negotiations, and strategic cooperation to safeguard
national health interest;

(©) Convene emergency expert panels, consultative bodies, or technical working groups to
assess global developments, anticipate evolving risks, and recommend responsive
domestic policy measures;

(@ Facilitate cooperation with foreign governments, international organizations, and global
research networks, through appropriate diplomatic channels, to access essential global
medical advancements, of existing treatments, diagnostics, vaccines, or technologies;

(© Propose ethical and equitable protocols for the distribution or use of globally sourced
medical interventions, in coordination with relevant government agencies;

() Monitor and report on international supply chains, innovation pipelines, stockpiling
capacities, bottlenecks, and diplomatic or geopolitical developments that may affect the
country’s medical preparedness, strategic reserves, and timely response; and

(® Perform such other functions as may be necessary to falfil the objectives of this Act, or
as may be assigned by the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 8. Meetings and Quorum. — ‘The Council shall meet regularly at least once
every calendar quarter, or as often as necessary, upon the call of the Chairperson or upon the request
of the majority of its members. A majority of all the members of the Council shall constitute a
quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members present, there being a quorum, shall be
necessary to adopt any decision, resolution, or recommendation of the Council.

SECTION 9. Secretariat. — A Secretariat to the Council shall be established within the
DFA, to be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the President. The Council
may request the detail or secondment of personnel from its member agencies and may engage
consultants o technical experts, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.


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‘The Secretariat shall be composed of personnel with proven competence in international
health cooperation, global health governance, diplomacy, and technical coordination. The
qualifications, staffing pattem, and operational mechanisms necessary to support the effective
functioning of the Secretariat shall be defined in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

SECTION 10. Compensation and Allowances. — Members of the Council who are
government officials shall serve in an ex officio capacity and shall not receive additional
compensation. However, they may be entitled to honoraria or per diems, subject to existing rules
and regulations and the availability of funds. Non-government members may receive honoraria or
reasonable allowances as may be determined the Council and approved by the DBM, in accordance
with applicable laws, rules, and auditing standards.

SECTION 11. Annual Report. — The Council shall submit to the President of the
Philippines and both Houses of Congress, an annual report giving a detailed account of the
implementation of this Act, including policy and program recommendations.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DFA Secretary shall, in consultation with other concerned government
agencies and global health expert representatives, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 13. Appropriations. — ‘The amount necessary for the immediate
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual GAA.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected and shall
remain in force and in effect.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.