THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution protects and promotes the right to health of the people and instills 
health consciousness among them. Specifically it gives priority to the needs of the 
underprivileged, sick elderly, disabled, children and women. 
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Around the world, birth defects are the leading cause of death among infants. Prevention 
efforts are slowed by lack of information about the number or causes of birth defects. Outbreaks 
of birth defects may go undetected because surveillance and research efforts, if any, are 
underdeveloped and poorly coordinated. Moreover, our people have the wrong attitud when we 
speak of birth defects. 
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In complying with the mandate of the Constitution to protect and promote the health of 
the people, this bill is brought forth to reduce if not stop the occurrence of birth defects. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHJLPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE SURVEILLANCE RESEARCH AND SERVICES AIMED AT 
THE PREVENTION OF BIRTH DEFECTS 
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 “Birth Defects Prevention 
Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State, consistent with the 
Constitution, to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. Towards this end, the State shall establish regional centers that will 
monitor the incidents of birth defects and their prevention. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - 
For purposes of this Act, the terms: 1) “Birth 
defect” which is also known as congenital defect or congenital malformation refers to ‘defect or 
disorder occurring before or at the time of birth. 
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(2) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
(3) “Regional Surveillance and Prevention Centers”-A 
local health center 
designated by the Secretary of Health to monitor and prevent birth defects. Only one local health 
center in a region shall be designated as a Regional Surveillance and Prevention Center, 
(4) “Committee” means the Advisory Committee to be established by the 
Secretary of Health. 


SECTION 4. Establishment of Regional Surveillance and Prevention Center . - 
The 
Secrete of the Department of Health shall designate a health center in each reg on which 
shall- 
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(1) Monitor birth defects within their region; 
(2) Conduct research and studies regarding the prevention of birth defects; 
(3) Collect and analyze data and information on the number, incidence, correlates, 
and causes of birth defects and including information regarding the gender of the person afflicted 
with the defect. 
(4) Report and record birth defects statistics form birth certificates, infant death 
certificates, hospital records or other sources; and 
(5) Such other duties and functions as the Secretary may see fit for the surveillance 
and prevention of birth defects. 
SECTION 5. National Birth Defects Surveillance and Prevention Program. -In order to 
consolidate the effort against birth defects, the Regional Surveillance and Prevention Centers 
shall submitT-report to the Secretary twice a year or every six (6) months, containing the 
statistics on birth defects and the prevention program undertaken for the period. 
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Based on the report of the Regional centers and the recommendation of the Advisory 
Committee, the Department of Health shall make a National Birth Defects Surveillance and 
Prevention Program that will cover the next six months or until another program is 
implemented. 
SECTION 6. Advisory Committee. - The Secretary shall establish an 
Committee for Birth Defects Prevention. 
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Advisory 
SECTION 7. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members 
appointed by the Secretary including: 


(1) Two (2) health professionals who are not employees of the Philippine 
Government who have expertise in issues related to prevention of or care for children with birth 
defects; 
(3) Two (2) representatives of the local health centers 
(2) Two (2) representatives from the Philippine Medical Association; 
Health; and 
(4) Three (3) members of the general public of whom at least two (2) shall be 
parents of children with birth defects or person having birth defects. 
three (3) shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, as determined by the Secretary 
SECTION 8. Functions of the Advisory Committee.-With 
respect to +e birth defect 
prevention, the Committee shall- 
(1) make recommendations regarding the prevention, research, and intervention 
priorities; 
(2) study and recommend ways to prevent birth defects with emphasis on 
emerging technologies; 
(3) identify annually the important areas of government and non-government 
cooperation needed to implement prevention strategies and 
(4) review and recommend policies and guidance related to birth defects research 
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and prevention. 
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SECTION 10. Meetings.-The 
Committee shall meet not less than four (4) times a year 
or at the call of the chairperson appointed by the Secretary from the members of the Committee. 


SECTION 11. Compensation. - Members of the Committee shall be compensated at a 
rate equivaleat- to an employee of the National Government occupying a Salary Grade 25 
position. 
occurrence of birth defects. 
SECTION 13. Public Information and Public Education Programs. - 
The Secretary 
SECTION 14. Authority for Awards. - 
The Secretary may grant monetary and technical 
aid to hospitals, universities, private and non-profit entities engaged in research and prevention 
of birth defects to reduce the incidence and effects of birth defects. Provided that hospitals, 
universities, private and non-profit entities shall submit an application in the form prescribed by 
the Secretary. The application must contain the following assurances: 
(1) 
the hospital, university or entity shall collect and analyze birth defects data 
and report its findings to the Secretary; and 
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(2) 
the hospital, university or entity shall coordinate its effort with that of the 
National Government in preventing birth defects. 
SECTION 15. Appropriations. - 
To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sum as 
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from 
Thereafter, the sums necessary for the continuous operation of the 
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the annual appropriations of the Department of Health. 


SECTION 16. SepambiZity Clause. - 
If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 17. RZpeuling Clause. - 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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