THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many compounds found or introduced into the environment by human activity are 
capable of disrupting the hormone system of humans and animals. The consequences of such 
disruption can be profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling 
development. No standardized and validated screens or tests have been developed to routinely 
and systematically assess chemicals for disruptive effects on hormone systems. 
The country for so many decades has experienced an increase in the incidence of such 
human disorders as childhood cancers, testicular cancer, hypospadias, juvenile diabetes, attention 
deficit-like hyperactivity disorders, autism, thyroid disorders, learning disabilities, cognitive 
impairment, and auto-immune disorders. Exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals may be 
contributing to these increases. The impact on children’s health as a result of prenatal exposures 
in particular needs fhther research. 
Hormone disruption can occur at very low doses, especially when exposure occurs in the 
womb or immediately after birth, periods during which rapid development is occurring. 
Unfortunately, our country lacks the necessary research on this phenomenon and unless timely 
action be resorted to, there is no way of determining how the impacts of the same could be 
judiciously and crucially addressed. 
The purpose of this measure is to establish regional multidisciplinary centers regarding 
women’s health and disease prevention and to conduct a research program on hormone 
disruption, precisely to prevent if not completely resolve the apparent onslaught of diseases 
brought about by hormone disruption. 
Through these centers, the effects of hormone disruption will be addressed; hence, 
preventing possible diseases which many women and their children suffer. 
Hence, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
LUISA “LOI” P. ~JERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF TKE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 23.48 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MULTIDISCIPLINARY 
RESEARCH 
CENTERS 
REGARDING 
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONDUCTING A 
RESEARCH PROGRAM ON HORMONE DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Shovt title. - This Act may be cited as the “Environmental Health Research 
Act of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Establishment of multidisciplinary research centers regarding women‘s 
health and disease preveiition.- 
(a) In General- There shall be established regional multidisciplinary centers whose 
purpose is to conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be 
related to the development of women’s health conditions. The centers, to be placed in 
major regional government or public hospitals, shall be under the management and 
supervision of a Director, who shall be appointed by the President on the basis of his 
or her at least ten (10) years of extensive experience as a medical practitioner or 
researcher in the field and earned management abilities from some reliable institution. 
Said director shall report directly to the Secretary of Health, and coordinate with 
concerned local government units whose task primarily is to detail personnel who 
may assist in the many functions discharged by said centers. 
(b) Research, Training, and Information and Education- 


(1) IN GENERAL- Each center under subsection (a) shall, with respect to the 
purpose described in such subsection- 
(A) conduct basic and clinical research; 
(B) develop protocols for training physicians, scientists, nurses, and other 
health and allied health professionals; 
(C) conduct training programs for such individuals; 
(D) develop model continuing education programs for such professionals; 
and 
(E) disseminate information to such professionals and the public. 
(2) PRIORITY FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES- In carrying out the activities 
described in paragraph (l), each center under subsection (a) shall give priority to 
activities that are directed toward preventing the development in women of the 
diseases and conditions involved. 
(c) Collaboration with Community- Each center under subsection (a) shall establish and 
maintain ongoing collaborations with community organizations in the geographic area 
served by the center, including those that represent women with disorders that appear to 
stem from environmental factors and the health concerns of their offspring. 
(d) Coordination of Centers; Reports- The Director shall, as appropriate, provide for the 
coordination of information among centers under subsection (a) and ensure regular 
communication between such centers. 
(e) Structure of Center- Each center assisted under subsection (a) shall use the facilities of 
a single regional public hospital, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating 
.institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Health. 
(0 Duration of Support- Support of a center under subsection (a) may be for a period not 
exceeding 5 years. Such period may be extended for 1 or more additional periods not 
exceeding 5 years if the operations of such center have been reviewed by an appropriate 
technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director and if such group 
has recommended to the Director that such period shodd be extended. 


SECTION 3. Research on hormone disruption. - The Director shall also establish within 
the regional centers, a comprehensive program to-- 
(A) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the health of women and 
children through disruption of the hormone systems; 
(B) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the 
environment and their effects on ecological and wildlife health; 
(C) coordinate the design of a multi-agency research initiative on hormone disruption; 
and 
@) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the Philippines with such research 
conducted in other nations. 
The program established under this section shall provide for the following: 
(A) Collection, compilation, publication, and dissemination of scientifically valid 
information on-- 
possible human health effects of hormone-disrupting chemicals, 
with emphasis on exposures to low doses of individual 
chemicals and chemical mixtures during critical life stages of 
development, particularly effects of prenatal exposures on 
children's health; 
the extent of human exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, 
with particular emphasis on exposures during critical life stages 
of development and in residential and occupational settings; and 
exposure of wildlife species to hormone-disrupting chemicals 
and possible health effects associated with such exposures. 
(ii) 
(iii) 
(B) Research on mechanisms by which hormone-disrupting substances interact with 
biological systems. 
(C) Research on improved in vitro and in vivo methods to screen and test hormone 
disruption. 
(D) Research on the identity, levels, transport, and fate of hormone-disrupting chemicals 
in the environment. 


SECTION 4. Appropriations. - For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2006 through 2010. 
SECTION 5 .  Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. 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. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take efkct fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.