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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes JY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article I1 Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution declares that the State shall protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It is in this light 
that this measure seeks to declare the month of February as the awareness and prevention month 
for liver cancer and hepatitis-B. 
As per the studies of the Department of Health and the Philippine Cancer Society, liver cancer is 
the third (31d) most common cancer among men and sixth (61h) among women. The most 
important risk factor associated with liver cancer is cirrhosis, a condition that precedes 80 
percent of all liver cancers. The most common cause of cirrhosis is chronic hepatitis B. a 
condition that afflicts about 10-12 percent of all Filipinos. Chronic Hepatitis B is the main reason 
liver cancer incidence in the Philippines is high. Other possible causes of cirrhosis are hepatitis C 
infection and alcoholism.' 
Thus, by declaring February of every year as Liver Cancer and Hepatitis-B Awareness and 
Prevention Month, this measure seeks to accomplish the following: (1) to raise awareness of 
liver cancer among the general populace by directing information to the public sphere on the 
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patients and their supporting caregivers with information on care and treatment options; (3) to 
share and exchange updated knowledge on hepatitis B, liver cancer and treatment options with 
general practitioners and specialists. It is hoped that this campaign will help redress the high 
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In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
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' Information retrieved from hau:llwww.~usimbulan.com/2008/09113lseutember-is-liver-cancer-awareness-month- 
in-the-uhiliuuinesL Reti-ieved from: 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHJLIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACi 
DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS “LIVER CANCER 
PURPOSES 
AND HEPATITIS-B AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH” AND FOR OTHER 
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 ‘<Liver Cancer and 
Hepatitis-B Awareness and Prevention Month Act”. 
‘ SEC. 2. Declaration of PoZicy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them, adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development, establish and maintain an effective food and 
drug regulatory system, and undertake appropriate health manpower development and research 
responsive to the country’s health needs and problems. In furtherance of this constitutional 
mandate, this Act aims to declare the month of February of every year as the awareness and 
prevention month for liver cancer and hepatitis-B. 
SEC. 3. Awareness Month. - The month of February shall be designated as the “Liver 
Cancer and Hepatitis-B Awareness and Prevention Month”. 
SEC. 4. Public Education and Awareness Program - To ensure the meaningful 
observance of the month as herein declared, a comprehensive public education and awareness 
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program shall be undertaken on the cominunicable disease of hepatitis-B. The program shall 
specifically discuss the causes, transmission, consequences, diagnoses, treatments and the 
prevention of hepatitis-B, including the need for immedlate infant immunization and the 
indispensability of observing the correct schedule and dosage, as well as the importance of child 
and'adult vaccination, for a holistic approach in battling the virus. Moreover, updates and 
breakthroughs regarding treatment of the disease shall be discussed among specialists and 
general practitioners through forums. 
SEC. 5. Interagency and Multi-Sectoral Effort. - The Department of Health on the part 
of the national government, and the cities and municipalities on the part of local governments 
shall lead the implementation of comprehensive public education and awareness program on 
liver cancer and hepatitis-B through a collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all 
levels. It shall particularly ensure widespread and expeditious public information about the 
benefits of compulsory routine immunization for hepatitis-B of all infants within twenty-four 
(24) hours after birth. 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall 
promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 8. 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, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. Ej@ctivi@. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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