FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
H; 
S. No. 
3318 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: "The State shall protect and promote the 
right to health of the people ffild instill health consciousness among them. 
The bone marrow failure in both children and adults Call either be inherited or acquired. 
Inherited bone marrow failure is often the cause in children. On the other hand, older children 
acquire the disease at an older age. l 
The chemical benzene, which is derived from coal and petroleum and found in gasoline 
and other fuels, is reportedly a factor in causing this illness in workers. Other factors include 
radiation or chemotherapy treatments and immune system problems. 2 
Thus, this bill directs the Secretary of the Department of Health to conduct pilot studies 
to determine the environmental factors which may cause acquired bone marrow failure diseases. 
I tiSane Marrow Failure In Children
l1
, Drug Information Online, Drugs.com. 
21d. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SEN6.T.,r: 
." 
S. No. 
;'j ~ .18 ,. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES TO 
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DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE ACQUIRED 
4 
BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Pilot Studies. - The Secretary of Health shall conduct pilot studies to 
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determine which environmental factors, including exposure to toxins, may cause acquired bone 
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marrow failure diseases. 
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SECTION 2. Minority-Focused Programs on Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Diseases. -
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(a) Information and Referral Services. -
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(I) In General. - Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity of this 
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Act, the Secretary of Health shall establish and coordinate outreach and informational 
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programs targeted to minority populations affected by acquired bone marrow failure 
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diseases. 
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(2) Program ReqUirements. -
Minority-focused outreach and informational 
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programs authorized by this Act: 
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(A) shall make information about treatment options and clinical trials for 
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acquired bone marrow failure diseases publicly available, and 
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(8) shall provide referral services for treatment options and clinical trials 
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by means of the Department of Health's website and through appropriate 
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programs. 
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(b) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.-
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(1) In General. - Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity of this 
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Act, the Secretary of Health shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements 
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with, entities to perform research on acquired bone marrow failure diseases. 
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(2) Requirement. -
Grants and cooperative agreements authorized by this 
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subsection shall be awarded or entered into on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. 
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(3) Scope of Research. - Research funded under this Act shall examine factors 
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affecting the incidence of acquired bone marrow failure diseases in minority populations. 
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( c) Definition. - In this Act, the term "acquired bone marrow failure disease" means 
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myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); aplastic anemia; paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria 
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(PNH); pure red cell aplasia; acute myeloid leukemia that has progressed from myelodysplastic 
I 
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syndromes; large granular lymphocytic leukemia; or any other bone marrow failure disease 
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specified by the Secretary of Health, to the extent such disease is acquired and not inherited, as 
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determined by the Secretary. 
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SECTION 3. Diagnosis and Quality of Care for Acquired Bone Marrow Failure 
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Diseases. -
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(a) Grants. - The Secretary of Health shall award grants to entities to improve diagnostic 
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practices and quality of care with respect to patients with acquired bone marrow failure diseases. 
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SECTION 4. Authorization oj Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, 
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there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
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unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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