Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO 
CHILDREN 
Explanatory Note 
The overall well-being, educational development, and productivity of children 
are greatly affected by their poor vision. Nevertheless, if detected and addressed at an 
early age, many visual impairments can be treated, and further complications can be 
prevented.  
In the Philippines, however, the lack of funding for such programs serves as a 
barrier in accessing adequate vision care.  
This bill seeks to establish program to award grants to Local Government Units 
on the basis of an established review process for the purpose of complementing 
existing government efforts. It will complement current state efforts by granting funds 
for comprehensive eye examinations, treatments, and services making it more 
accessible to Filipino children.  
Through this bill, more educational materials on eye care can also be 
disseminated to the public thereby promoting vision care to children. 
November 20, 2023
5:42 pm


As such, the approval of this measure is urgently sought. 
CAMILLE A. VILLAR 


 
Introduced by Representative CAMILLE A. VILLAR 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO 
CHILDREN  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Vision Care for Kids Act.” 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – The following terms as used in this Act shall be 
defined as follows: 
(a) “Comprehensive Eye Examination” includes an assessment of a patient’s
history, 
general 
medical 
observation, 
external 
and 
ophthalmoscopic 
examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment and motility, refraction, and as 
appropriate, binocular vision or gross visual fields, performed by an optometrist 
or an ophthalmologist.  
(b) “LGU” refers to a local government unit, which may be a province, city or
a   municipality. 
(c) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Health.
Sec. 3. Grant Regarding Vision Care for Children. – The Secretary shall carry out this 
grant program to award grants to LGUs on the basis of an established review process 
for the purpose of complementing existing government efforts for: 


(a) Providing comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or 
ophthalmologist for children who have been previously identified through a 
vision screening or eye examination by a licensed health care provider or 
vision screener as needing such services, with priority given to children who 
are under 8 years old;  
(b) Providing treatment or services, subsequent to the examinations described in 
the aforementioned paragraph, necessary to correct vision problems; and  
(c) Developing and disseminating to parents, teachers, and health care 
practitioners’ educational materials on recognizing signs of visual 
impairment in children; Provided that the LGU shall not expend more than 20 
percent of the amount received under the grant to carry out the purpose 
described in this paragraph.  
 
Sec. 4. Criteria and Coordination. – The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
professional and consumer organizations including individuals with knowledge of 
age-appropriate vision services, shall develop criteria governing the operation of the 
grant program under Section 3, and for the collection of data related to vision 
assessment and the utilization of follow up services.  
 
Sec. 5. Application. – To be eligible to receive a grant under Section 3, an LGU 
shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, made in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the following: 
(a) Information on existing children vision programs;  
(b) A plan for the use of grant funds, including how funds will be used to 
complement existing State efforts (including possible partnerships with non-
profit entities); 
(c) A plan to determine if a grant eligible child has been identified as provided 
for in Section 3; and 
(d) A description of how funds will be used to provide items or services only as 
a secondary payer to any local government compensation program, under 
an insurance policy, or under any government health benefits program. 


Sec. 6. Evaluations. – To be eligible to receive a grant under Section 3, an LGU 
shall agree that not later than one (1) year after the date on which amounts under the 
grant are first received by it, and annually thereafter while receiving amounts under 
the grant, the LGU shall submit to the Secretary an evaluation of the operations and 
activities carried out under the grant, including- 
(a) An assessment of the utilization of vision services and the status of children 
receiving those services as a result of the activities carried out under the 
grant;  
(b) The collection, analysis, and reporting of children’s vision data according to 
guidelines prescribed by the Secretary; and  
(c) Such other information as the Secretary may require.  
 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Health (DOH), in 
consultation with Department of the Interior and Local Government shall formulate 
the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act within six 
(6) months from its effectivity.  
 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. – Such sums as may be necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current appropriations of the DOH. 
Thereafter, the fund necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions hereof not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect. 
 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. –Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provision 
of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 


Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,