Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF THE BLOOD TYPE OF INDIVIDUALS 
IN THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A birth certificate is an official form issued and certified by the 
Philippine Statistics Authority. It is a document that provides personal 
records of an individual regarding birth, sex, nationality, and parent’s 
information. This is the very document that authenticates an individual’s 
identity. A birth certificate is a basic requirement for education, marriage, 
employment, social security coverage, and eligibility for assistance may it be 
from a public or private sector. 
In many countries like the United States, an individual’s blood type is 
indicated in their birth certificates not only because it is part of their personal 
identity but because it is a crucial medical information that could possibly 
save their lives. 
Medical emergencies can happen throughout one’s lifetime. Accidents 
and other severe health conditions that require immediate blood transfusion 
may be a matter of life and death for many. Thus, having access to information 
on one’s blood type through their birth certificates make it convenient and 
prudent for one to be ensuring protection for their health and wellbeing in the 
future. 
Having certain blood types can also determine if you are more likely to 
develop serious symptoms from illnesses or if you are at risk of suffering from 
cancer.1 
1 Unilab. “Blood Type why you need to know yours”. https://www.unilab.com.ph/articles/blood-type-why-you-
need-to-know-yours (Accessed Online 27 October 2022) 
November 15, 2022
11:57 am
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According to research by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, certain 
blood types are also associated with higher risks for a string of cancers2. For 
example, those with AB and A blood types are more likely to develop stomach 
cancer per a recent study published in BioMed Central Cancer3. Additionally, 
experts from the University of Pennsylvania have reported that those with A, 
B, and AB blood types also have a 6% greater risk of developing coronary heart 
disease; the same blood types are also linked to an 82% greater likelihood of 
developing memory issues, compared to Type O.4 
According to the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) 
under the Department of Health (DOH), the most common blood type in the 
country is Blood Group O followed by A, then B and AB. More than 99 percent 
of Filipinos are Rh positive while less than one percent has Rh negative blood.5 
However, despite the significant role our blood can play in our health, many 
Filipinos still do not know their blood types unless they have undergone a 
procedure that required such test. Having this information readily indicated 
in an accessible document such as one’s birth certificate will make a huge 
difference in saving someone’s life. 
This bill seeks to mandate the inclusion of blood type in certificates of 
live birth issued by the Local Registrar’s Office or the Philippine Statistics 
Authority. It is the hope of this measure to increase the knowledge and 
promote awareness on blood type-related health information for every Filipino 
so they can better protect their health and wellbeing through informed 
choices. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City
2 The Harvard Gazette. 2009. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/03/blood-types-indicate-greater-risk-
for-cancer/ (Accessed Online 8 November 2022) 
3 Mao, Y., Yang, W., Qi, Q. et al. Blood groups A and AB are associated with increased gastric cancer risk: 
evidence 
from 
a 
large 
genetic 
study 
and 
systematic 
review. BMC 
Cancer 19, 
164 
(2019). 
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-5355-4 (Accessed Online 8 November 2022) 
4 University of Pennsylvania. 2020. “What Does Your Blood Type Have to Do With Your Health?”. 
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/april/blood-types (Accessed Online 8 
November 2022) 
5 Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/node/1447 (Accessed 27 October 2022) 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF THE BLOOD TYPE OF INDIVIDUALS 
IN THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES 
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 “Blood Type in 
Birth Certificates Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Towards this end, the State shall establish an effective system that will 
promote awareness and knowledge on health and medical information in 
important documents, such as birth records. 
SECTION 3. Inclusion of Blood Type in Birth Certificates. – All birth 
certificates issued by the Local Registrar’s Office or the Philippine Statistics 
Authority shall indicate the blood type of the individual. For purposes of this 
Act, an individual’s blood type must be duly certified by a pathologist. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Agencies. – The Philippine Statistics Authority 
and the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with local government 
units and other appropriate government agencies, shall be responsible for the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the 
Department of Health, in coordination with local government units and other 
appropriate government agencies, and in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.  
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part thereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive orders, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,