NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 713
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‘22 JUL 18 PI 50
RHCEIVFH RV'
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
APPROPRIATING THE AMOUNT OF ONE BILLION PESOS 
(PHPl^OOO.OOO^OOO.OO) TO THE CANCER ASSISTANCE FUND, 
ESTABLISHED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11215 OR THE "NATIONAL 
INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL ACT", FOR THE BENEFIT OF INDIGENT 
AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CANCER PATIENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Claiming thousands of lives each year, and amounting to several billions of 
pesos in healthcare and treatment cost, cancer has become a serious public health 
issue as well as an economic burden.
In the Philippines, cancer is the fourth leading cause of death following 
ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and deaths due to the COVID-19 
virus in 2021. According to the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines, cancer patients 
who contract the COVID-19 virus is 16 times more critical than COVID-19 patients 
without cancer1. The incidence and mortality rate of cancer in the Philippines has 
been Increasing In the past three decades. This trend is expected to continue if 
organized and sustained specialized cancer is not initiated.
The cost of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer patients may 
range from Php20,000 to Php120,000 per session depending on the type po cancer. 
The examination by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Is burdensome even to 
middle-income patients, what more to the poor patients. This Is why cancer has 
gained a reputation as the disease for the rich even though it can afflict anybody 
regardless of economic status.
In 2019, Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control 
Act was signed into law. It seeks to prevent cancer and improve cancer survivorship 
by scaling up programs and investments for better and accurate screening, 
detection, diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation. It also alms to make cancer 
treatment and care more affordable especially to underprivileged Filipinos.
1 https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/14/chiz-urges-doh-to-make-sure-cancer-fund-goes-to-patients-not-diverted/
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Said law provides for a Cancer Assistance Fund but no amount has been 
specifically allocated for It and relies on fund raising activities, donations and 
solicitations. This measure seeks to appropriate One Billion pesos 
(Php 1,000,000,000.00) annually to the Cancer Assistance Fund to assist in the 
medicine and treatment of indigent and underprivileged cancer patients.
The Constitution provides for the right to health of the people. It is time for 
the less fortunate to get the opportunity to fight cancer despite lack of resources.
For this reason, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
* Jf GRACE POE
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. NO. 71
® Senate
•22 JUL 18 PI SO
BI-TFIVFn RV:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
APPROPRIATING THE AMOUNT OF ONE BILLION PESOS 
(PHPlf000,000,000.00) TO THE CANCER ASSISTANCE FUND, 
ESTABLISHED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11215 OR THE "NATIONAL 
INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL ACT" FOR THE BENEFIT OF INDIGENT 
AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CANCER PATIENTS
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 "Cancer Assistance
Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a declared policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health of the people. For this purpose, the State shall
implement a system of providing premium care and assistance to indigent cancer
patients and their families.
Sec. 3. Assistance to Indigent Cancer Patients. - This program shall be
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administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to support
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the cancer medicine and treatment assistance to indigent and underprivileged cancer
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patient beneficiaries identified by the PhilHealth In coordination with the Department
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of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and
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Local Government (DILG).
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Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount of One Billion Pesos
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(Phpl,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial Implementation of this
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Act to be sourced from any applicable appropriation Items under the current General
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Appropriations Act. For the succeeding years, the amount shall be sourced from the


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budget of the Department of Health under the National Integrated Cancer Control
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Program.
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Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PhilHealth, in consultation
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with the DSWD and DILG and the representatives from hospital association, medical
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practitioners and civil society representing peasant and/or the marginalized sector
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shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the
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effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. -If, for any reason, any part, section or provision
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of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected
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thereby shall continue to be In full force and effect.
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Sec. 7. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations and
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other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
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its publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,