Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 15, provides that, “The State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” 
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne pathogen that is, according to the American Liver 
Foundation, the most common cause of chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver 
cancer. It is also the most common indication for liver transplant, and the leading cause 
of death in people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune 
Deficiency Syndrome. In addition, there may be links between the Hepatitis C Virus 
(HCV) and certain other diseases, given that a high number of people infected with 
HCV also suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, lymphoma, thyroid and certain blood disorders, 
and autoimmune diseases. 
Individuals infected with HCV serve as a source of transmission to others and, since 
few individuals are aware that they are infected, they are unlikely to take precautions 
to prevent the spread or exacerbation of their infection. To date, there is no known 
cure for Hepatitis C. 
The government should expand efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of HCV 
among its citizens. Hence, this bill seeks to provide for a study to determine the 
prevalence of Hepatitis C infection in the country and undertake a program to provide 
training, testing, and treatment regarding cases of the disease. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
12:01 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO MANDATE A COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH  
FOR THE PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT 
OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act may be cited as the “Hepatitis C Epidemic Control 
and Prevention Act.” 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – The following terms are defined as used in this Act: 
(A)
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Health.
(B)
“DOH” means the Department of Health.
(C)
“HCV” means Hepatitis C Virus.
Sec. 3. Prevention, Control, and Medical management of Hepatitis C. – 
(A)
In General. – The Secretary shall develop and implement a plan for the
prevention, control, and medical management of the HCV that includes
strategies for education and training, surveillance and early detection, and
research.
(B)
Input in Development of Plan. – In developing the plan under subsection (A),
the Secretary shall –
(1)
Be guided by existing recommendations of the DOH; and
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(2)  
Consult with the Director of the National Center for Disease Prevention 
and Control (NCDPC); the Board of Advisers of the National Institutes of 
Health; the medical advisory bodies that address issues related to HCV; 
and the public, including individuals infected with the HCV and 
advocates concerned with issues related to HCV. 
(C) 
 Biennial Assessment of Plan. –  
(1)  
In General. – The Secretary shall conduct a biennial assessment of the 
plan developed under subsection (A) for the purpose of incorporating 
into such plan new knowledge or observations relating to HCV and 
chronic HCV, such as knowledge and observations that may be derived 
from clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological research and disease 
detection, prevention, and surveillance outcomes, and addressing gaps 
in the coverage or effectiveness of the plan. 
(2)  
Publication of Notice of Assessments. – Not later than October 1 of the 
first even numbered year beginning after the date of enactment of the 
Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, and October 1 of each 
even numbered year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Official 
Gazette a notice of the results of the assessments conducted under 
paragraph (1). Such notice shall include –  
(a)  
A description of any revisions to the plan developed under 
subsection (A) as a result of the assessment; 
(b)  
An explanation of the basis for any such revisions, including the 
ways in which such revisions can reasonably be expected to 
further promote the original goals and objectives of the plan; and 
(c)  
In the case of a determination by the Secretary that the plan does 
not need revision, an explanation of the basis for such 
determination. 
 
Sec. 4. Elements of the National Plan for the Prevention, Control, and Medical 
Management of Hepatitis C. –  
(A) 
Education and Training. – The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
NCDPC, shall implement programs to increase awareness and enhance 
knowledge and understanding of HCV. Such programs shall include –  
(1) 
The conduct of health education, public awareness campaigns, and 


 
community outreach activities to promote public awareness and 
knowledge about risk factors, the transmission and prevention of 
infection with HCV, the value of screening for the early detection of HCV 
infection, and options available for the treatment of chronic HCV;  
(2) 
The training of healthcare professionals regarding the prevention, 
detection, and medical management of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 
HCV, and the importance of vaccinating HCV-infected individuals and 
those at risk for HCV infection against the hepatitis A virus and HBV; and  
(3) 
The development and distribution of curricula, including information 
relating to the special needs of individuals infected with HBV or HCV, 
such as the importance of early intervention and treatment and the 
recognition of psychosocial needs, for individuals providing hepatitis 
counseling, as well as support for the implementation of such curricula 
by State and local public health agencies. 
(B) 
Early Detection and Surveillance. – 
(1)  
In General. – The Secretary, acting through the Director of the NCDPC, 
shall support activities described in paragraph (2) to promote the early 
detection of HCV infection, identify risk factors for infection, and conduct 
surveillance of HCV infection trends. 
(2) Activities. – 
(a)  
Voluntary Testing Programs. – The Secretary shall support and 
promote the development of national and local voluntary HCV 
testing programs to aid in the early identification of infected 
individuals. 
(b)  
Confidentiality of Test Results. – The results of an HCV test 
conducted by a testing program developed or supported under 
this subparagraph shall be considered protected health 
information. 
(c)  
Counseling Regarding Viral Hepatitis. – The  Secretary shall 
support national and local programs in a wide variety of settings, 
including those providing primary and specialty healthcare 
services in nonprofit private and public sectors, to provide 
individuals with information about ongoing risk factors for HCV 
infection with client-centered education and counseling that 


 
concentrates on changing behaviors that place them at risk for 
infection; and provide individuals infected with HCV with 
education and counseling to reduce the risk of harm to 
themselves and transmission of the virus to others. 
(d)  
Vaccination against Viral Hepatitis. – With respect to individuals 
infected, or at risk for infection, with HCV, the Secretary shall 
provide for the vaccination of such individuals against hepatitis A 
virus, HBV, HCV, and other infectious diseases, as appropriate, 
for which such individuals may be at increased risk; and the 
counseling of such individuals regarding hepatitis A, HBV, HCV, 
and other viral hepatides. 
(e)  
Medical Referral. – The Secretary shall support – referral of 
persons infected with or at risk for HCV, for drug or alcohol abuse 
treatment where appropriate; and referral of persons infected with 
HCV for medical evaluation to determine their stage of chronic 
HCV and suitability for antiviral treatment and for ongoing medical 
management of HCV. 
(C)  
Hepatitis C Coordinators. – The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
NCDPC, shall, upon request, provide a Hepatitis C Coordinator to a local health 
department in order to enhance the management, networking, and technical 
expertise needed to ensure successful integration of HCV prevention and 
control activities into existing public health programs. 
(D) Surveillance and Epidemiology. – 
(1)  
In General. – The Secretary shall promote and support the establishment 
and maintenance of State HCV surveillance databases, in order to –  
(a)  
Identify risk factors for HCV infection; 
(b)  
Identify trends in the incidence of acute and chronic HCV;  
(c)  
Identify trends in the prevalence of HCV infection among groups 
that may be disproportionately affected by HCV, including 
individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, military 
veterans, emergency first responders, racial or ethnic minorities, 
and individuals who engage in high risk behaviors, such as 
intravenous drug use; and  
(d)  
Assess and improve HCV infection prevention programs. 


 
(2)  
Seroprevalence Studies. – The Secretary shall conduct a population-
based seroprevalence study to estimate the current and future impact of 
HCV. Such studies shall consider the economic and clinical impacts of 
HCV, as well as the impact of HCV on quality of life. 
(E)  
Research Network. – The Secretary, acting through the Director of the NCDPC 
and the Board of Advisers of the National Institutes of Health, shall –  
(1)  
Conduct epidemiologic research to identify best practices for HCV 
prevention; 
(2)  
Establish and support a Hepatitis C Clinical Research Network for the 
purpose of conducting research related to the treatment and medical 
management of HCV; and 
(3)  
Conduct basic research to identify new approaches to prevention, such 
as vaccines, and treatment for HCV. 
(F)  
Referral for Medical Management of Chronic HCV. – The Secretary shall 
support and promote State, local, and tribal programs to provide HCV-positive 
individuals with referral for medical evaluation and management, including 
currently recommended antiviral therapy when appropriate. 
(G)  
Underserved and Disproportionately Affected Populations. – In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary shall provide expanded support for individuals with 
limited access to health education, testing, and healthcare services and groups 
that may be disproportionately affected by HCV. 
(H)  
Evaluation of Program. – The Secretary shall develop benchmarks for 
evaluating the effectiveness of the programs and activities conducted under this 
section and make determinations as to whether such benchmarks have been 
achieved. 
 
 
Sec. 5. Appropriations. – There shall be authorized to be appropriated such amounts 
as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, to be included in the annual budget 
of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof, is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
 
 


 
Sec. 7. 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, are hereby modified, repealed, or 
amended accordingly.  
 
 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,