Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1977_ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A strong healthcare system requires a stable data management system that 
would allow healthcare providers to access and assess patient information for better 
and more efficient delivery of medical services. Through the establishment of a 
National Health Passport System, each Filipino will have a document that would 
reflect one’s full medical history and other relevant data. In the event of 
emergencies, the health passport system will also be a quicker means to assess the 
situation which can ultimately save lives.  
Not only will a health passport benefit our healthcare providers as it will also 
caution patients to be aware of his or her existing health condition. Having a record 
of one’s own medical history will provide valuable information in terms of health 
monitoring. The health passport shall also contain one’s scheduled health check-ups 
for the patient’s ease of reference and the doctor’s effective means of monitoring.  
In today’s digital world, the government must find a way to maximise the 
benefits of technology in building a stronger, more stable primary healthcare system. 
Through this bill, we hope to strengthen our primary healthcare system that caters 
to all and is felt by all.  
In view of the foregoing, it is my hope that this measure will be expeditiously 
passed. 
RICARDO S. CRUZ JR. 
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July 16, 2025
10:52 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1977 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL HEALTH PASSPORT SYSTEM AND 
STRENGTHENING THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Health Passport 
System Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among 
them. The State guarantees universal access to affordable and quality health care 
services from the government, especially to the underprivileged. 
Also, the State recognizes the need to adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development, which shall endeavour to make essential goods, 
health and other social services available to all the people at affordable costs. 
It is also the policy of the State to promote scientific and technological 
research and development, foster invention, and utilize scientific knowledge as an 
effective instrument for the promotion of national progress. This includes the full 
utilization of the latest technology in the delivery of basic services to Filipinos, 
including healthcare services.  
SECTION 3. National Health Passport System. – Consistent with the above 
policies, the Department of Health (DOH), in joint coordination with the Department 
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Local 
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Government Units (LGUs), shall design and implement the National Health Passport 
System. 
 
SECTION 4. Content and Purpose. – For purposes of this Act, the Health 
Passport shall be the personal record booklet containing: 
(a)​ A medical patient’s medical and dental history as recorded by a 
duly-licensed healthcare professional; 
(b)​The names of duly-licensed healthcare professionals which the patient 
consulted, including the date of such consultation; 
(c)​ Results of laboratory examinations; 
(d)​Diagnosis; 
(e)​ Immunization records; 
(f)​ Drugs and medical devices prescribed, including the quantity and 
frequency of intake or use, as the case may be, of the same; 
(g)​ Information on all medical and health related benefits provided by laws, 
including benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PhilHealth);  
(h)​Information regarding the patient’s medical rights and privileges under 
the passport system; and 
(i)​ Such other details which the DOH may deem appropriate.  
The Health Passport shall be used as valid identification to avail of free 
medical services, including diagnostics and treatment, in public hospitals, subject to 
the guidelines to be set by the DOH.  
The DICT and DOST may utilize the latest available technology, such as, but 
not limited to, the use of a Quick Response (QR) Code which shall be linked with 
permanent PhilHealth membership number and other pertinent details, to 
implement this Act. 
SECTION 5. Authority to Access Passport. – Access by proper medical 
authorities to the data recorded therein shall be made upon the passport holder’s 
prior consent. In the absence of the relatives, the physician in charge of the patient 
shall be authorized to review the patient’s passport. 
 
SECTION 6. Scope of the Health Passport Program. – All Filipino citizens 
shall be entitled to a personal Health Passport, which shall be used for availing of 
medical services or treatment provided in public or private medical institutions. 
 
The parents or legal guardians of children born after the effectivity of this Act 
shall be required to enroll their children in the Health Passport System program. 
Failure to provide the child with medical check-ups and immunization shall 
constitute an act of child abuse or cruelty, punishable under Republic Act No. 7610, 
otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation 
and Discrimination Act.” 
 
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SECTION 7. Procedure. – Cities, municipalities, and Barangays, together with 
the DSWD, shall be responsible for the distribution of health passports.  
 
SECTION 8. Digitization of Rural Health Center Records. – In the pursuit of 
seamless and efficient health care service, rural health centers in the Philippines are 
directed to digitize all medical records and evaluation results. This is to create a 
shareable database to consolidate all information that will be easily accessible in 
time of need. 
SECTION 9. Senior Citizens Privileges. – All privileges granted to senior 
citizens under the Senior Citizen’s Act and other laws shall also apply to senior 
citizens with health passports. Medical institutions shall give priority to senior 
citizens on their needs. 
SECTION 10. Rural Health Units Assessment Report. – DOH shall submit an 
initial assessment report to the House of Representatives and the Senate on the 
status of every Rural Health Unit (RHU) within ninety (90) days of the effectivity of 
this Act to identify which RHUs do not meet the universal standards for quality 
primary healthcare. 
SECTION 11. Roadmap for the Improvement of Rural Health Units. – 
Based on the Rural Health Units Assessment Report, as mandated by the preceding 
section, the DOH shall likewise prepare a comprehensive roadmap elaborating the 
recommended steps to improve the quality of primary healthcare.  
Annually thereafter, an update report pertaining to the progress of the RHUs 
shall be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate for purposes of 
monitoring and evaluation. 
SECTION 12. Implementing Agency. – The DOH shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, 
and administer this program in coordination with the local government units 
concerned and other agencies whose functions are bound to affect the 
implementation of this system. 
 
In this connection, the DOH is hereby mandated to conduct further study on 
this system. The Department shall also assess the capabilities of the health 
institutions in the local government units as well as the availability of laboratory 
apparatuses to put into service the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 13. Appropriation. – The sum necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
 
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SECTION 14. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act shall 
be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved, 
 
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