FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
1390 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
i'l 
!IlL iJ' TIO 
Infectious diseases have been prevented dramatically with the advent of 
immunization. Mass immunizations have made a significant bearing in preventive 
medicine all over the world. These programs have had a major impact on the 
reduction of diphtheria and tetanus cases in most of the industrialized world. Gone 
were the days when communicable diseases were the main cause of infant and child 
mortality. 
According to the World Health Organization, vaccines -
which protect 
against disease by inducing immunity -
are widely and routinely administered 
around the world based on the common-sense principle that it is better to keep 
people from falling ill than to treat them once they are ill. Immunization averted 
about two million deaths in 2002. In addition, contagion is reduced, strain on health-
care systems is eased, and money is frequently saved that can be used for other 
health services. 
In the Philippines, the government was able to promote immunizations and 
vitamin supplementation since the early 1990s. However, many developing 
countries (the Philippines included) have difficulties affording immunizations. The 
gap is growing between children in developing countries and those living in the 
industrialized world who have life-saving vaccines readily available. 
This bill proposes to establish a comprehensive vaccination program that will 
provide free vaccination services to infants and children, through government 
hospitals, satellite offices, accredited government clinics and other medical 
institutions. This program shall be administered by the Department of Health. 
Immunization goes beyond simply protecting the individual. More 
importantly, it also aims to impr~ve the health of entire communities by limiting the 
spread of infectious disease among children and adults. Upon these considerations, 
the prompt passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
1390 
S.B.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
II.! 
lUI. 13 'I :rW 
ESTABLISHING A 
COMPREHENSIVE VACCINATION AND 
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS AND 
CHILDREN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Free Vaccination and 
2 
Immunization Act of 2010." 
3 
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The right to health is a fundamental guarantee 
5 
enshrined in the Constitution. It is the policy of the State to instill health 
6 
consciousness among the people and to protect and promote their right to accessible 
7 
and quality health services. 
8 
9 
Recognizing that vaccinations and immunizations for children have become 
10 
expensive and barely accessible for poor families, it is hereby likewise declared the 
• 
11 
policy of the State that a comprehensive vaccination and immunization program be 
12 
made available to the public for free and its administration adopted as a program of 
13 
social justice. 
14 
15 
Sec. 3. Components. - The Department of Health, through all government 
16 
hospitals, its satellite offices, accredited government clinics and other medical 
17 
institutions, shall provide for free to infants and children vaccination and 
18 
immunization services for the following diseases: 
19 
a. Hepatitis B; 
20 
b. DPT - diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough); 
21 
c. Influenza type B; 
1 


• 
1 
d. Polio (Salk injected); 
2 
e. Rotavirus (diarrhea and gastroenteritis) 
3 
f. 
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles); 
4 
g. Varicella (chicken pox) 
5 
Provided, That exemptions may be chosen by parents on account of religious belief 
6 
that prohibits vaccinations and immunizations, or for medical reasons as certified by 
7 
a licensed medical practitioner, or for any other valid reason that may be advanced 
8 
by the parents of the infant or child, as necessary: Provided, further, That a certain day 
9 
of the week must be devoted for immunization and vaccination in all local 
10 
government unit health centers. 
11 
12 
SEC. 4. Implementing RuLes and Regulations. - The Department of Health, in 
13 
consultation with the national association of pediatrics and recognized experts from 
14 
the private sector, and non-governmental organizations and peoples' organizations 
15 
and academe on child health and care, shall issue the relevant rules and regv.lations 
16 
to implement the provisions of this Act. 
17 
18 
SEC. 5. Fund. - The amount of One Billion Pesos (PI,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) annually 
19 
to implement the provisions .of this Act covering the comprehensive free 
20 
immunization and vaccination of children shall be included and incorporated in the 
21 
budget of the Department of Health in the General Appropriations Act. One percent 
22 
(1 %) of all earnings made by government-owned and controlled corporations shall 
23 
be collected and form part of the fund that may be used for this purpose. 
24 
25 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of thi" Act is 
26 
declared invalid or unconstituti0!1al, the remaining provisions not affected thereby 
27 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
28 
29 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All executive issuances, rules and regulations or 
30 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
31 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
32 
33 
SEC. 8. EffectiVity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15 days) after its 
34 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
35 
36 
Approved, 
2