NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
;t©rficF of t!»e SJ • rrpt
SENATE
23 FEB “9 P2 -01
S. No. ~L
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health and consciousness among them."
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a severe auto-immune connective 
tissue disease in which antibodies are generated to a range of autoantigens. It triggers 
inflammation in the different tissues of the body particularly when the immune system 
attacks its own tissue. There is no cure for SLE however medical interventions and 
lifestyle changes can help control it.
The proposed bill seeks to promote awareness and information for the public 
regarding SLE and to strengthen research and development to support and manage 
treatment of this disease. The increased awareness will encourage understanding, 
early detection and intervention which are critical in alleviating symptoms
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


of tlic £■: ! ft;iri>
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 1858
23 FEB -9 P2 :01
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1 
Sec 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Lupus
2 
Prevention Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
4 
the right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness of the health
5 
programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to empower citizens suffering
6 
therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, independent, self-reliant, and
7 
productive members of society.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act. "Systemic Lupus
9 
Erythematosus" (SLE) or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune
10 
disease where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in
11 
inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, but most often affecting
12 
the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, as
13 
diagnosed by a competent medical practitioner.


1 
Sec. 4. National Survey and Research. - The National Institute of Health (NIH) of
2 
the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the extent
3 
and total incidence and prevalence of persons with SLE in the country for the government
4 
to provide the necessary health interventions to address the needs faced by persons with
5 
lupus.
6 
Sec. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned Research 
1 Agencies. - Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall
8 
ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research agenda and that
9 
of pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies addressing the issue of
10 
lupus.
11 
Sec. 6. National Program for Lupus Prevention and Treatment - The DOH shall
12 
implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus prevention and
13 
treatment with the following objectives:
14
15 
a) to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, screening, and
16 
diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus;
17 
b) to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues
18 
concerning lupus;
19 
c) to establish sustainable support network for families of persons diagnosed
20 
with lupus;
21 
d) to provide referral services to patients for appropriate educational and
22 
medical expertise and to identify appropriate education or medical facilities
23 
suited to the needs of 
patients;
24 
e) to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions for the conduct
25 
of research activities pertaining to the disease;
26 
f) to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and stereotyping of
27 
afflicted persons;
28 
g) to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on issues relating to
29 
early detection, prevention, cure, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons
30 
diagnosed with lupus; 
and
2


1 
h) to network with other organizations, institutions, and professionals working
2 
on public programs for persons diagnosed with lupus;
3 
Sec. 7. Programs and Service for Lupus Prevention. - -The programs and services
4 
that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
5 
a) orientation and counseling services for families of newly diagnosed persons;
6 
b) establishment of national and regional referral services where the DOH shall
7 
maintain an updated list of health care institutions and practitioners concerned
8 
with the treatment of lupus;
9 
c) publish a newsletter on current developments and research on lupus, as well as
10 
other reading materials on the early detection, prevention, and treatment of
11 
lupus, and best practices for the care of diagnosed persons;
12 
d) conduct of continuing education and training programs on the proper care of
13 
diagnosed persons; and
14 
e) establishment of a databank and an information and monitoring system on
15 
country-specific statistics pertaining to lupus.
16
17 
Sec. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. -The Philippine Health Insurance
18 
Corporation shall include the cost of early detection and screening programs for lupus as
19 
one of the available benefits to its members. The early detection and screening test fees
20 
shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow-up, and readable
21 
overhead expenses.
22 
Sec. 9. Donations and Grants. - The DOH, NIH, and other departments of the
23 
DOH that may thereafter be tasked with the implementation of this Act shall have the
24 
power to receive donations and grants from local and international donor institutions,
25 
foundations, and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws and rules on the
26 
receipt, accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied with.
27 
Sec. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. - In order to grow national interest
28 
and participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May
29 
shall annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week." This week-long activity will


1 
be spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies,
2 
institutions, and stakeholders.
3 
Sec. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service
4 
Providers on Lupus Prevention and Treatment - All DOH staff and health providers
5 
providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo a mandatory
6 
continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of up-to-date and
7 
relevant services.
8 
Sec. 12. Protection Against Forcible Administration of Medical Treatment or
9 
Enrollment in Programs. - All persons administering treatment, counseling, or
10 
medication as well as all persons involved in the implementation of the DOH programs
11 
as mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to determine for himself
12 
or herself the medical treatment to be administered as well as the programs wherein
13 
he or she will participate, if any.
14 
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
15 
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of
16 
the DOH.
17 
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the
18 
date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary implementing
19 
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
20 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause- IKW laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
21 
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are hereby
22 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
23 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
24 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall
25 
remain in full force and effect.
26 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
27 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,