SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATe. 
S. No. 
1354 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12 provides: 
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AUG 22 'P5 :16 
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The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and drug 
regulatory system and undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and 
research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems. 
Flu is caused by the Influenza virus that invades and multiplies in the respiratory tract. 
Influenza viruses are divided into three types: A, B, and C. This classification is based on the 
capability of their components to cause disease. Influenza infects over 30 million people in the 
U.S. each year, which is roughly 10% to 20% of the U.S. population. Flu and its complications is 
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the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., killing 20,000 - 40,000 people a year. As of 1997, it 
is the fourth leading causes of morbidity or illness in the Philippines. Children are down with flu 
have a risk of developing complications such as sinus, ear infections, or worse, develop more 
serious ailments like pneumonia, meningitis, and encephalitis (both are serious infections of the 
nervous system) or even Reye's syndrome (an extremely rare but serious illness that affects the 
brain and liver). 
This bill's goal is to raIse the immunization level against influenza m the most 
susceptible sector of our society, our children.' 
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MIRIAM DEF~OR S TN 
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• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress. Second Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1354 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION, EDUCATION, 
AND OUTREACH FOR CHILDREN 
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'13 
AtJ6 22 P5 :16 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION I. Influenza Prevention Program. - The Secretary of Health shall administer a 
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program of influenza immunization for children ages six (6) months to six (6) years, and a 
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program of education and outreach to parents and guardians of children ages six (6) months to 
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six (6) years who attend a child caring center, day nursery, child day care center, nursery school, 
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kindergarten, or school age child care program. The education and outreach program shall 
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include educational materials on influenza and the benefits of influenza immunizations. 
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SECTION 2. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the approl?riations of the. Department of Health under the . 
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current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full 
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implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and 
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separate item. 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations, or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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