‘{I4 
30 PI2 ”4 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
” )  
First Regular Session 
1 
~~~~~~~~~~ 
BY :* 
S E N A r T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOP‘ P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them.” 
Thousands of infants each year are born with serious birth defects of the brain and 
spine, called neural tube defects. The most common of these are spin i@da, the 
incomplete closure of the spinal column and mencephaZy, a fatal condition in which an 
infant is born with a severely underdeveIoped brain and skull. 
Studies in the United States show that as many as 70 percent of neural tube birth 
defects could be prevented if all women of childbearing age begin in consuming 400 
micrograms of folic acid daily, before pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin found 
naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, and juices and in 
certain multivitamins capsules. 
Unfortunately, a majority of women are neither aware of this prevention 
opportunity, nor consuming the recommended daily amount. 
Hence, this bill seeks to provide a national folic acid education campaign in order 
to urge women to take the simple step to prevent neural tube defwts. 
Foregoing premises considered, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
solicited. 
LUISA “LOP P. JERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


, 
” 
, 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPW 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N ,  
S. B. No. __ 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “L 
AN A 
TO PROVIDE FOR A NATIONAL FOLI 
PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rel; 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short TitZe. - This 
Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act.” 
SECTION 2. Program Regarding EA 
Defects. - 
)r’ P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
.
.
 . 
:T 
ACID EDUCATION PROGRAM TO 
zsentatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Act shall be known as the “Folic Acid 
?cts Of Folic Acid In Prevention Of Birth 
(a) In General. - The Secretary of Health shall carry out a program (directly or 
through grants or contracts) for the following purposes: 
(1) To provide education and training for health professionals and the 
general public for purposes of explaining the effects of folic acid in preventing 
birth defects and for purposes of encouraging each women of reproductive 
capacity (whether or not planning a pregnancy) to consume on a daily basis a 
dietary supplement that provides an appropriate level of folic acid; 
.
.
 . 


(2) To conduct research with respect to such education and training, 
including identifling effective strategies for increasing the rate of consumption of 
folic acid by women of reproductive capacity; 
(3) To conduct research to increase the understanding of the effects of 
folic acid in preventing birth defects, including understanding with respect to 
cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects; and 
(4) To provide for appropriate epidemiological activities regarding folic 
acid and birth defects, including epidemiological activities regarding neural tube 
defects. 
(b) Consultations With 'Private Entities. - In carrying out 'subsection (a), ' the 
Secretary may consult with appropriate public or private entities, including 
national non-profit private organizations, health professionals, and providers 
of health insurance and health plans. 
(c) Technical Assistance. - The Secretary may (directly or through grants or 
contracts) provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private entities 
in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a). 
(d) Evaluations. - The Secretary shall (directly or through grants or contracts) 
provide for the evaluation of activities under subsection (a) in order to 
determine the extent to which such activities have been effective in carrying 
out the purposes of the program under such subsection, including the effects 
on various demographic populations. 
Methods of evaluation under the 
preceding sentence may include surveys of knowledge and attitudes on the 
consumption of folic acid and on blood folate levels. Such methods may 
include complete and timely monitoring of infants who are born with neural 
tube defects. 


SECTION 3. Authorization Of Appropriations. - Such sum as may be necessary 
to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the 
National Treasury. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Eflectivib Clause - This Act shall take effect Meen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers ofgeneral circulation. 
Approved, 
GVWslee billsI~rogram to prevent birth defects