FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides that: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
The increase in the elderly population have implications in regard to the country's 
response to the special needs of the aged; specifically, the adequacy of geriatric health 
facilities, trained personnel and welfare programs for those who cannot afford private 
healthcare. Despite the traditional high regard for older persons in Filipino society, they 
are the most vulnerable to neglect as the family tries to face the pressures of survival. 
Osteoporosis is one of the major concerns for our elderly population. It may be 
debilitating, but it can be prevented or at least minimized through proper nutrition and 
exercise before bone loss. And even those affected by severe bone loss can take 
preventive measures to minimize the risk of disabilities. To address these issues, early 
detection, prevention and maintenance are the best weapons. 
This bill' seeks to address the need to be informed about osteoporosis, its effects 
and its prevention. 
I This bill was originally file by the Senator during the 13* Congress 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
INITIATING A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR OSTEOPOROSIS 
EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the “Osteoporosis Education 
and Prevention Act of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Dejkition ofTerms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(1) ‘‘Dol-I’ shall refer to the Department of Health; 
(2) “Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
(3) “Congress” is both the Senate and the House of Representatives; and 
(4) “Osteoporosis” shall refer to a disorder common to elderly women in which 
calcium and bone protein are depleted, causing bones to become less dense, more brittle, 
and fracture easily. 
SECTION 3. National Public Awareness Campaign. - The DOH shall create a 
national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to osteoporosis. As 
part of such campaign, the Secretary shall provide public service announcements, in 
accordance with applicable law and regulations, by developing and placing in 
telecommunications media announcements intended to encourage at-risk populations to 
discuss their risks of osteoporosis with their physicians, and to call attention to early 
warning signs and risks factors based on the best available medical information. 
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SECTION 4. Osteoporosis Prevention Demonstration Program. - 
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(1) The Secretary shall carry out an osteoporosis prevention demonstration 
program for purposes of - 
(A) determining the best practices for providing information and outreach 
services (including programs and information, such as forums, seminars, and 
large-print, easy-to-understand, multilingual literature) relating to prevention, 
diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis; and 
(B) measuring the effectiveness of such program over a three-year period, as 
shown by an increase in the percentages of individuals who have demonstrated 
expanded awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis (including knowledge of 
personal risk factors). 
(2) In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall collaborate with the leading 
nongovernmental health organizations, academic institutions, local health officer, as well 
as other health entities, with a mission both to promote lifelong bone health nationwide 
and to provide outreach to local governments and communities, for the purpose of 
determining the best practices for providing bone-health information and outreach 
services to at-risk populations. 
SECTION 5. Osteoporosis Research and Reports. - Not later than 18 months after 
the enactment of this Act, the DOH shall conduct a study on the prevalence of 
osteoporosis among the country’s population. The study shall also contain an evaluation 
of the national public awareness campaigns conducted by the DOH, as well as 
recommendations on measures that could be undertaken to strengthen osteoporosis 
education and prevention programs. A report of this study shall be submitted to Congress 
not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
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accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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