SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
). 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN6.1J3 
S.No. 
1~19 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15, provides: 
'13 
NOV 14 
,'" 4 :13 
RE (' f: I \,' r:; 1) j n:)~ 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Thousands of infants each year are born with serious birth defects of the brain and spine, 
called neural tube defects. The most common of these are spina bifida, the incomplete closure of 
the spinal column, and anencephaly, a fatal condition in which an infant is born with a severely 
underdeveloped brain and skull. 
Studies in the United States show that as many as seventy percent (70%) of neural tube 
birth defects could be prevented if all women of childbearing age consume four hundred (400) 
micrograms of folic acid daily, beginning before pregnancy. Folic acid is a B vitamin found 
naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, and juices and in certain 
multivitamin capsules. Unfortunately, a majority of women are neither aware of this prevention 
opportunity, nor consuming the recommended daily amount. 
Hence, this bill seeks to provide a national folic acid education campaign in order to urge 
women to take the simple step to prevent neural tube defects.' 
Ltw-... 4~,4-- J~ 
MIRIAM DEF~SOR SANTIAlrO 
1IfY" 
• This bill was Oliginally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
NOV 14 
,e) 4 :13 
1 
2 
3 
. SENATE 
S. No. 1919 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL FOLIC ACID EDUCATION PROGRAM 
TO PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Folic Acid Promotion and 
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Birth Defects Prevention Act." 
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SECTION 2. Program Regarding Effects of Folic Acid in Prevention of Birth Defects. -
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(A) 
In General. - The Secretaty of Health shall carry out a program, directly or 
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through grants or contracts, for the following purposes: 
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(I) 
To provide education and training for health professionals and the general 
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public for purposes of encouraging each women of reproductive capacity, 
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whether or not planning a pregnancy, to consume on a daily basis a dietary 
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supplement that provides al} appropriate level of folic acid. 
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(2) 
To conduct research with respect to such education and training, including 
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identifying effective strategies for increasing the rate of consumption of 
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folic acid by women of reproductive capacity. 
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(3) 
To conduct research to increase the underst~ding of the effects of folic 
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acid in preventing birth defects, including understanding with respect to 
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cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects. 
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(4) 
To provide for appropriate epidemiological activities regarding folic acid 
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and birth defects, including epidemiological activities regarding· neural 
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tube defects. 
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(B) 
Consultations with Private Entities. - In carrying out paragraph (A), the Secretary 
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shall consult with appropriate public or private entities, including national non-profit private 
3 
organizations, health professionals, and providers of health insurance and health plans. 
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(C) 
Technical Assistance. - The Secretary may, directly or through grants or contracts, 
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provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private entities in carrying out the activities 
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described in paragraph (A). 
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(D) 
Evaluations. - The Secretary shall, directly or through grants or contracts, provide 
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for the evaluation of activities under paragraph (A) in order to determine the extent to which 
, 
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such activities have been effective in carrying out the purposes of the program under such 
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subsection, including the effects on various demographic populations. Methods of evaluation 
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under the preceding sentence may include surveys of knowledge and attitudes on the 
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consumption of folic acid and on blood folate levels. Such methods may include complete and 
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timely monitoring of infants who are born with neural tube defects. 
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(E) 
Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated such 
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sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2