Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2019, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) released their data showing that 
3,993,300 out of 63,265,700 Filipino adult population have diabetes accounting for 
6.3 percent prevalence in adults.1 To add, diabetes was consistently listed as one of 
the top 10 leading causes of death in the country as it is a serious and chronic 
metabolic disease.  
Meanwhile, a 2020 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that 
deaths due to diabetes mellitus ranked fourth at 37,265 cases. Heart diseases 
(99,680), cancer (62,289), and cerebrovascular diseases (59,736) ranked first, 
second, and third respectively as primary death causes in the Filipino population.2 
This condition has worsened when the COVID-19 pandemic significantly limited 
mobility and decreased the physical activity of Filipinos leading to serious weight 
gain, obesity, or worst, the acquisition of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus.  
In addition, IDF has projected that by 2030, the number of adults with diabetes in the 
country will further increase to 5,289,700 and an estimated 7,267,400 by 2045. On 
top of this, while the disease is emotionally taxing to patients and their families, it is 
also a massive financial burden to the government. Billions of pesos were allocated 
to provide free dialysis sessions to patients where the majority suffer from diabetes.  
This bill proposes the creation of the Philippine Center for Diabetes and 
Endocrinology (PCDE) under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall serve as 
the lead tertiary-level center in the screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of 
diabetes. PCDE shall ensure an organized, comprehensive, and optimal system of 
care and treatment for patients with diabetes and other endocrine problems among 
hospitals and other medical institutions in the country. 
Additionally, the PCDE is authorized to design programs that shall promote, 
encourage, and engage in medical and scientific research on the prevention and 
1 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1461980/diabetes-a-bitter-health-crisis-for-filipinos 
2 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139440 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
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treatment of diabetes and other endocrine diseases and gather, compile, and publish 
the findings of such research for public dissemination. Further, this bill targets the 
prevention of certain types of diabetes, and its early detection to reduce the number 
of affected individuals, and to provide treatment as soon as possible. It also seeks to 
provide support to diabetics and their loved ones in coping with this disease. 
 
This representation envisions a citizenry that is free from the expensive, painful, and 
preventable burden brought about by certain types of diabetes, in pursuit of the 
State's constitutional mandate to ensure the health and well-being of its people. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.  
MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE   
 
 
 
 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
 
 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DIABETES AND 
ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to the health of the people and instill the health consciousness 
among them by providing specialized health services and research, education and 
training facility responsive to the country's health needs and problems. 
Hence, it is a primary concern of the government to assist and provide material 
and financial assistance in the establishment of a specialty hospital for Filipinos 
suffering from diabetes and promote diabetes care, prevention and cure all over the 
country. 
SECTION 2. Creation of the Philippine Center for Diabetes. — There is hereby 
created a body corporate to be known as the Philippine Center for Diabetes and 
Endocrinology (PCDE), under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall serve as 
the lead tertiary-level center in the screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment 
of diabetes. 
The PCDE shall have its principal office in Metro Manila, and may have such 
branch offices, hospitals, clinics or subsidiaries in Visayas and Mindanao and other 
areas in the Philippines as it may deem proper and necessary. 
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SECTION 3. Purposes and Objectives. — The PCDE shall have the following 
purpose and objectives: 
a) 
To construct, establish, equip, maintain, administer and operate such 
integrated medical institutions which shall provide an organized system of care, 
comprehensive and optimal treatment for patients with diabetes and other 
endocrine problems; 
b) 
To conduct nationwide screening and diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the 
components of the metabolic syndrome; 
c) 
To promote, encourage and engage in medical and scientific research on the 
prevention and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine diseases and gather, 
compile, and publish the findings of such researches for public dissemination; 
d) 
To encourage, undertake and assist conferences, conventions, seminars, 
workshops, and training programs for physicians, nurses, health officers, 
medical technologists, social workers and medical and technical personnel on 
the practical and scientific implementation of health care services to diabetic 
patients; 
e) 
To assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies on 
diabetes and other endocrine diseases and other related fields, to encourage 
and grant scholarships for advanced training and specialization in medical care 
and management in diabetes and related fields and to support and finance 
educational programs of value to public health; 
f) 
To encourage the formation of other organizations at the national, provincial, 
city and/or local levels, and to coordinate the various efforts and activities of 
such organizations for the purpose of achieving a more effective approach to 
the common problem relative to the purposes and objectives enumerated 
herein; and 
g) 
To encourage telemedicine by establishing networks through internet facilities 
to link physicians at the local level to barrio doctors or specialists who can 
provide inputs or care of diabetic patients, especially in underserved areas. 
 
SECTION 4. Powers and Functions. — For the attainment and or furtherance of 
the above-enumerated purposes and objectives, the PCDE is a body corporate 


acting through its Board of Trustees, shall have the following powers and functions 
in addition to those provided for in the other sections of this Act: 
a) 
To acquire, own, hold, use, lease, grant, mortgage, pledge, sell, assign, 
convey, transfer, exchange, dispose or otherwise deal with, real and/or 
personal properties of every kind and nature, including shares of stock, bonds, 
debentures, notes, securities, and other evidence of indebtedness or 
obligations of other corporations, whether domestic or foreign, and whether 
government or private; 
b) 
To solicit and receive donations, endowments, and funds in the form of 
contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private 
sectors; 
c) 
To award, enter into, make, execute, perform, and carryout domestic or foreign 
contracts of whatever kind nature; 
d) 
To open accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to disburse 
such funds or invest the same as the Board may direct to accomplish or 
advance the purpose or interest of the PCDE, and to obtain loans, borrow 
funds and/or arrange financing or credit assistance or whatever kind and 
nature from all sources whether domestic or foreign and whether government 
or private; 
e) 
To levy, assess, and collect such fees, charges and assessments as may be 
necessary or proper to support, finance, and maintain its operations; 
f) 
To invite diabetes specialists and similar experts in the various medical fields 
to train the personnel or trainees or residents of the PCDE and to also support 
the training, seminars, conferences and conventions of its medical personnel in 
research and medical institutes or universities, be it local or international as the 
Board may deem necessary in line with the principles of the Philippines 
Qualifications Framework (PQF), to accomplish the purposes of the objectives 
of the PCDE, 
g) 
To adopt and use a corporate seal; 
h) 
To sue and be sued in its corporate name; 
i) 
To adopt its by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law of the 
provisions hereof to govern the administration an operation of the affairs of the 
PCDE; and 


j) 
To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary, related or 
incidental or to carry out the purposes and objectives of this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. The Board of Trustees; Composition; Term and Compensation. — 
The PCDE shall be governed, and its activities and properties shall be directed, 
controlled and managed, by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the 
Board, which shall be composed of a Chairperson and six (6) members, all of whom 
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. 
At least one (1) member shall come from the Philippine Endocrinology, 
Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEM) and at least one (1) from the academe. 
The Chairman of the PCDE shall be appointed from among the members of 
the Board. 
Except the President of the PCDE, the members of the Board shall serve for a 
term of three (3) years, with a right to hold-over until their respective successors 
shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The President of the Philippines may, 
however, remove any member of the Board for a cause. Whenever a vacancy shall 
occur in the Board, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the 
unexpired term of the member replaced. 
Except the President of the PCDE, each member of the Board shall receive 
compensation in accordance with current standards set by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM) and as may be determined by the Department of 
Health (DOH). 
 
SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Board shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
a) 
To formulate policies, guidelines and programs to effectively implement and 
carry out the purposes and objectives of this Act; 
b) 
To prescribe, review, and revise the amount of the fees, charges, and 
assessments levied and collected for the support and maintenance of the 
operations of the PCDE; 
c) 
To control the management, operation and administration of PCDE; 


d) 
To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or proper for 
the effective exercise of power and functions as well as the discharge of the 
duties, responsibilities of PDE, its officers and employees; 
e) 
To authorize such expenditures of the PCDE as may be necessary of proper 
for the effective management, operation, and administration of the PCDE; 
f) 
To adopt the annual and supplemental budget of receipts and expenditures of 
the PCDE; 
g) 
To appoint, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the Executive Vice 
President and other officers of the PCDE occupying executive and senior 
management positions. 
 
SECTION 7. Officers of the PCDE. — The Board shall determine the officers of the 
PCDE who shall be appointed by the President of the PCDE subject to the 
confirmation by the Board. The PCDE may have an executive Vice-President and 
such Vice-Presidents and Assistant Vice-Presidents as may be required for the 
effective operation of the PCDE. 
 
SECTION 8. The President, His Term and Remuneration. — The President of the 
PCDE shall be appointed by, and shall serve, at the pleasure of the President of the 
Philippines. The salary of the President shall be fixed by the Board, subject to the 
approval of the President of the Philippines. 
 
SECTION 9. Powers and Duties of the President. — The President of the PCDE 
shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the PCDE. He shall exercise the following 
powers and duties: 
a) 
To execute the policies, guidelines, and programs approved by the board, and 
to be responsible for the efficient discharge of management and operational 
functions; 
b) 
To submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed measures, 
policies, guidelines and programs as he may deem necessary or proper for the 
efficient discharge of management and operational functions; 


c) 
To direct and supervise the management, operation, and administration of the 
PCDE, and, for this purpose, he/she may delegate any or some of his/her 
administrative responsibilities and duties to the other officers of the PCDE; 
d) 
To execute, on behalf of the PCDE, all contracts and agreements which the 
PCD may enter into, and to execute, accomplish and deliver any and all 
documents relative to such contracts and agreements; 
e) 
To represent the PCDE in all dealing with other offices, agencies, and 
instrumentalities of the Government, and all other persons or entities, whether 
domestic or foreign and whether government or private; 
f) 
To appoint, promote, transfer, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the 
officers and employees of the PCDE, except those appointed by the Board; 
g) 
To exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be vested or 
reposed upon him by the Board. 
 
SECTION 10. Assistance from the Government. — The PCDE may call upon any 
department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the Government, including 
government-owned or controlled corporations, local government units, and state 
universities and colleges for such assistance as it may need in the pursuit of the 
purposes and objectives of this Act. 
 
SECTION 11. Authority from the Government. — In case of emergencies which 
require immediate action by the Board, and there is no sufficient time to call a 
meeting thereof, the President of the PCDE, with the concurrence of any three (3) 
other members of the Board, may decide on any matter or take any action within the 
authority of the Board itself 
 
SECTION 12. Donations of the PCDE. — The PCDE is hereby authorized to solicit 
and receive donations, gifts, or endowments from all sources whether foreign or 
domestic, and whether government or private, without the need of securing a permit, 
approval or registration from any government agency. 
 
SECTION 13. Exemption from Fees, Duties, and Taxes. - The PCDE is hereby 
exempt from all other internal revenue taxes, tariff and customs duties and all other 


kinds of taxes, fees, charges and assessment levied by the Government and its 
political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities. Notwithstanding any provision 
of law to the contrary, all donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments which 
may be made by entities or persons to the PCDE shall be exempt from income and 
gift taxes, and the same shall be further deductible in full for purposes of computing 
the maximum amount of deductible under the National Revenue Code of 1997, as 
amended. 
 
SECTION 14. Government Contribution. — The amount of Ten Billion Pesos (Php 
10,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the Philippine Amusement and 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to defray the initial operation and maintenance of 
the PCDE shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 15. Annual Report. — The PCDE, through its President, shall render to 
the President and both houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments 
and activities. 
 
SECTION 16. Applicability of Corporation Law. — The provisions of the general 
corporation law, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
and with the purposes and objectives for which the PCDE is formed, shall apply to 
the PCDE. 
 
SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The President, in close 
coordination with the DOH, DOST, NEDA, UP-PGH, and other stakeholders such as 
the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM) and shall within 
sixty (60) days from the date of the effectivity of the At, promulgate and publish the 
rules and regulations for the effective and faithful implementation of this Act, 
Provided, that the failure of the promulgation of said rules and regulations shall not 
prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 18. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are 
not affected shall thereby remain in full force and effect. 


 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. — The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,