15® Congress of the Republic of the Philippines

Hoe eHN 5364

Introduced by Rep. Christopher S. Co, Rep. Rodel M. Bafecabe, and Rep. Alfredo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate local government units, communities, households, business establishments
and schools to participate in the nationwide program against Dengue. Given that the disease is preventable, this
bill seeks to provide a community-based prevention and control in endemic areas, and strengthens existing,
policies that are already being implemented by the DOH and local government units (LGUs).

‘The DOH bas reported 70, 204 dengue cases as of September 10, 2011. This data has decreased by
around 25%-50% in the past year depending on the season, This significant reduction is attributable to the
concerted efforts of all the stakeholders, especially local governments and communities.

However, according to the Department of Health (DOI), Dengue Hemorthagic Fever has remained as
one of the major health problems during the rainy season and is prevalent in urban centers where population
density is high, and where solid waste collection and water supply and storing is inadequate. Prevalence of
dengne is also attributable to the fact that countries in the tropics and sub-tropics, such as the Philippines, are the
most vulnerable to Dengue. It is an all-year round disease and a threat to public health.

‘The efforts of DOH and local government units are admirable as they have already significantly reduced
dengue cases. However, since most transmission happen among family members and inside the homes, where
breeding places of the mosquitoes are most of the time overlooked, this bill engages private individuals,
households, and establishments in the participation to effectively eliminate dengue,

Furthermore, because there is still no vaccine against Dengue, policies should focus on preventive
measures which includes, but are not limited to, cleanliness of surroundings, personal hygiene, awareness of
symptoms, and active reporting of possible incidence of dengue, which in general, are ways to prevent mosquito
bites. Policies should also include early recognition and prompt support treatment that can lower the risk of
acquiring the full-blown disease.

‘This bill not only encourages maintaining clean surroundings but mandates pro-active participation of
both private and public sectors and provides penalty to violaters.

Io view of the above circumstances, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. fe Co Rep. Mz Batocabe ‘Fon. Alfredo in, Je,


Republic af the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

Houscpae. 5364

Introduced by Rep. Christopher S. Co, Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe, and Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONTRO! AND ELIMINATION OF DENGUE, PRESCRIBING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR:
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phitippines in Congress assembled

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Dengue Act of 2011"

Section 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right te health
of the people. Towards this end, a system for the control, prevention of the spread, and eventual ¢-adication of
dengue shall be provided . enna ‘dy

Section 3, National Dengue Prevention and Control Program. - It is hereby mandated that there shall be 2
National Dengue Prevention and Control Program to be implemented by a multi-agency'malti-cectoral
committee chaired by the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health. The
program shall be @ multi-agency cffor in controlling and eliminating Dengue in the country. Among its
component activities include: (1)institutionalization of regelar clean-up drives inctuding scarch am! destroying.
mosquito breeding sites and fogging in barangays. schools. and government offices. (2) encouragement of
awareness and self-protection and prevention programs: (3) provision of consultation at the nearest health
centers: and (4) conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and control of Mengue. The
program shall be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH). Department of Science and Technology
(POST). Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Education (DepEd). as
well as the Metrol Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Local Government Units (LGUs) with the
assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENK), Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) and People's Onganizations (POs).

‘Sec. 4. Responsibilities of Households and Establishments — All households and establishmests shall be
required to:
(a) Dispose. empty, seal. store under a roof containers that are usually filled with rainwerer such as
discarded tires. bottles, broken apptiances. garbage. paint cans;
(b} Cover. maintain in good condition, clean containers or replace water for containers that are usually
filled with water by people such as drums, aquariums. pends, fountains, animal feeding bow Is. :nd pools:
{c) Keep surroundings and arcas of responsibility clean and remove puddles of water:
{d) Maintain in good condition und supply with running water fountains, and other artificial or ornamental
water containers:
(c) Advice water authorities of broken water-meters. tanks, and pipelines:
(A) Conduct fogging if practicable;
(2) Report to the doctor and the nearest health center if'any household member and employee hes any of the
symptoms of Dengue:
(h) Implement other preventive actions that the Department of Health may provide:



Section 5. Responsibilities of Goverament Agencies. - The following governmem: agencies, which shall jointly
implement the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program, shall be tasked to:

A. Department of Health:
(1) Improve and upgrade existing laboratory diagnostic capabilities to ensure better services to the people.
(2) Ensure the availability and adequate supply of medications at alt times.
(3) stimulate the development, improvement and implementation of new strategies and interventions to
improve our understanding of dengue progression and pathogenesis;
(4) Design projects and studies to help identify ways to better describe the impact of dengue infections,
reduce intrachouschold spread of dengue infections, medical compfications and case fatality rates;
(5) implementation and evaluation of tain-the-trainer program to instruct heatthcare providers on the
clinical management of dengue infections; and
(6) Design hospital-based surveillance systems for suspected dengue cases;
(7) Coordinate with the DepEd in the development of appropriate health education strategy to inform the
public on Dengue prevention and control;
(8) Encourage collaborative activities with the DOST, DepEd, DILG, DENR, NGOs, POs and other
concerned sectors,

B, Barangays and other LGUs. - All Barangays shall be required to:
(1) Ensure that all households and establishments comply with their responsibilities within their respective
areas;
(2) Allocate funds ta augment the implementation of the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program,
particularly for fogging and the financing of supplies needed for prevention;
(3) Enact additional bocal ordinances that will support the National Dengue Prevention and Control
Program and initiate programs in which should inctude awareness campaign, preventive measures, and
clean-up drives;
(4) For purposes of ensuring the administrative feasibility of implementing the provisions of this Act, the
LGU shall collect the fines. Any and all fines collected pursuant to this Act shall be used for the
enhancement of the National Dengue

Prevention and Control Program within the locality concemed, as well as the achievement of the objectives
envisioned in this Act.

‘The DILG shall ensure compliance of these responsibilities by the LGUs.

C. Department of Education
(1) Strengthen dengue education program through schoo! health teaching/curriculum;
(2) Conduct clean-up drives in school premises and surrounding areas;
(3) Advice water authorities of broken water-meters, tanks, and pipelines;
(4) Conduct regular fogging in schoo! premises;
(5) Report to the school clinic if any student, faculty, or staff shows any of the symptoms of Dengue and
coordinate with health centers, hospitals, or DOH of any of dengue cases,
(6) Encourage collaborative activities and information-sharing with the DOH, DILG, DENR, NGOs, POs
and other concerned sectors;
(7) Integrate proper information and education in the relevant subjects in the Elementary and High School
levels; and
{8) implement other preventive actions that the Department of Health may provide.

Sec. 6, Assistance of NGOs and the Academe. - The agencies tasked to implement the anti-Dengue program
shall seek the assistance and participation of NGOs in any of the following activities:

(1) Community mobilization.

(2) Health education/information dissemination on Dengue.

(3) Mass anti-Dengue campaign


(4) Promotion of the anti-Dengue campaign.
(5) Surveiltance/reporting of Dengue cases.
(6) Any other activities geared towards the prevention and complete eradication of Dengue.

Section 7. Peaalties. - Households, establishments and schools who fail or refuse to eliminate breeding places of
mosquitoes shalt be punished by a fine of Two thousand pesos (P2,000.00).

Section 8 Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The DA, in coordination with the DOH, DIG, DepEd,
DENR, NGOs and POs shall issue the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act.

Seetion 9. Appropriations.- The amonnt of One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act shall be initially charged against the appropriations of the DOH, DOST,
DENR, DILG and DepEd under the General Appropriations Act. For the LGUs, the requirements shall be taken
from their Imemal Revenue Allotment and other local funds, Thereafier, such sums as may be necessary for its
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause, - In case any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the other
provisions shall remain in full force and effect,

Section 11. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its pubtication in the Official
Gazette of in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved: