SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No.1 079 
) 
) 
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Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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More than 5 million people around the world struggle with systemic lupus 
erythematosus ("SLE"), a disease more popularly referred to as "lupus". Lupus is a 
potentially fatal autoinunune disease capable of damaging virtually any organ of the 
body. It is one of several diseases known as "the great imitators" because its symptoms 
often mimic or are mistaken for other illnesses. There is no known cure for lupus and 
treatment is restricted to dealing with symptoms, such as through the prevention of 
flares or the reduction of their severity and duration. 
Many people with lupus are unable to maintain employment or attend school 
because of extended health-related absences and hospitalizations. For some, memory 
and mental processing may be impaired, rendering Simple tasks such as recalling 
names or balancing a checkbook as significant challenges. Despite its enormous public 
'health implications, lupus remaIns an under-recognized and under-appreciated health 
issue. 
The proposed measure seeks to increase public awareness of lupus and to 
strengthen research on and treatment of the disease. Increased awareness and 
sensitivity to the disease will promote early identification and intervention, both of 
which are critical to minimize symptoms. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~ 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPI~ 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
S.B.No. 1079 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
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INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (LUPUS) DISEASE 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 "Comprehensive 
Lupus Prevention Act of 2013." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness of 
and health programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ("Lupus") in order to 
empower citizens suffering therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, 
independent, self-reliant, and productive members of SOciety. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, "Systemic Lupus 
Erythematosus" or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune disease 
where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation 
and tissue damage in differefnt parts of the body, but most often affecting the heart, 
joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, as diagnosed by a 
competent medical practitioner. 
SEC. 4. National Survey and Research. - The National Institute of Health (NIH) 
of the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the 


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SEC. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned 
Research Agencies. - Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act the 
DOH shall ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research agenda 
and that of pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies addressing the 
issue of lupus. 
SEC. 6. National Program for Lupus Prevention and Treatment. - The DOH 
shall implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus prevention and 
treatment with the follOWing objectives: 
a) 
to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, screening, 
and diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus; 
b) 
to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues 
concerning lupus; 
c) 
to establish sustainable support networks for families of persons 
diagnosed with lupus; 
d) 
to provide referral services to patients for appropriate educational and 
medical expertise and to identify appropriate educational or medical 
facilities suited to the needs of patients; 
e) 
to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions for the 
conduct of research activities pertaining to the disease; 
'f) 
'to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and stereo-typing of 
afflicted persons; 
g) 
to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on issues relating to 
early detection, prevention, cure, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons 
diagnosed with lupus; and 
h) 
to network with other organizations, institutions, and professionals 
working on public programs for persons diagnosed with lUpus. 
SEC. 7. 
Programs and Services for Lupus Prevention.- The programs and 
services that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be limited to, the 
following: 
a) 
Orientation and Counseling Services for families of newly diagnosed 
persons; 


c) 
Establishment of National and Regional Referral Services where the DOH 
shall maintain an updated list of health care institutions and practitioners concerned 
with the treatment of lupus; 
d) 
Publication of a newsletteron current developments and research on 
lupus, as well as other reading materials on the early detection, prevention, and 
treatment of lupus, and best practices for the care of diagnosed persons; 
e) 
The conduct of continuing education and training programs on the proper 
care of diagnosed persons; and 
f) 
The establishment of a databank and an inlormation and monitoring 
system (IMS) on country-specific statistics pertaining to lupus. 
SEC. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. - The Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include the cost of early detection and screening 
programs for lupus as one of the available benefits to its members.The early detection 
and screening test fees shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow-
up, and readable overhead expenses. 
SEC. 9. Donations and Grants. - The DOH, NIH, and other departments od the 
DOH that may thereaft be tasked with the implementation of this Act, shall have the 
power to receive donations and grants from local and international donor institutions, 
foundations, and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws and rules on the 
receipt, accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied with. 
SEC. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. - In order to grow national interest 
and participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May 
shall annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week./I This week-long activity will 
be spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies, 
institutions, and stakeholders. 
SEC. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service 
Providers on Lupus Prevention and Treatment. - All DOH staff and health providers 
providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo a mandatory 
continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of up-to-date and 
relevant services. 


SEC. 12. Protection Against Forcible Administration of Medical Treatmettt or 
Enrollment in Programs. -
All persons administering treatment, counseling, or 
medication as well as allpersons involved in the implementation of the DOH programs 
mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to determine for himself or 
herself the medical treatment to be administered as well as the programs wherein he or 
she will participate, if any. 
SEC. 13. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shaH be induded and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
DOH. 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary implementing 
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If any proviSion or part of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 17. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,