THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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S. No. 
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INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is a fact that Filipino women tend to give priority to the needs of their families that they 
can even sacrifice their own health and well-being. But, women’s health and welfare is of 
paramount importance considering that women constitute half of our country’s population and 
women’s health and well-being affect the health of the next generation. A look at women’s 
health situation in the areas of nutrition, maternal, childbearing/ reproductive and other health 
conceiiis indicate that much remains to be done.. 
This bill seeks to grant free medical and hospitalization benefits to indigent Filipino 
women suffering from women’s diseases, illnesses and injuries due to violence and abuses thru 
the establishment of a special ward in provincial and district hospitals which are capable of 
providing major clinical services. 
Granting free medical treatment and hospitalization benefits to indigent women is in 
consoiiaiice with the Constitutional provisions that recognizes the need for such facilities and 
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the 
service of the nation. 
Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MANUEL B. VI LAR, JR. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 1 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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INTRODUCED BY WON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING FREE MEDICAL AND HOSPITALIZATION BENEFITSTO INDIGENT 
FILIPINO WOMEN SUFFERING FROM WOMEN’S DISEASES, ILLNESSES 
AND INJURIES DUE TO VIOLENCE INFLICTED ON WOMEN, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Women’s Medical and Hospitalization 
Benefits Act.” 
SECTION 2. Free medical and hospitalization benefits shall be granted to indigent 
Filipino women suffering froin women’s diseases, such as cancer of the reproductive organ, 
cancer of the breast and pregnancy-related diseases; illnesses and injuries due to violence 
inflicted on women. For this purpose, a special ward shall be established in all provincial and 
district hospitals. 
SECTION 3. An indigent woman patient seeking to avail of the benefits herein provided 
shall secure a certification from the Department of Social Welfare and Development attesting 
that she is indigent and suffering froin any of the above-mentioned diseases, illiiesses or injuries. 
For the purpose of this act, indigent patients shall include the employed and those whose inonthly 
gross income does not exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO). 


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SECTION 4. The Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development, shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 5. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged 
to the appropriations of the Department of Health under the current General Appropriations Act. 
Thereafter, such amount necessaiy for the continued implementation of this Act sliall be included 
the annual budget of the local governments concerned. 
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,