Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Ga

Introduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Health, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides: “The State shall
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the
people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick,
elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical
care to paupers.” Now that vaccines are already available, various nations across the globe
are lining up to purchase. Our expectation is to administer the vaccine to as many and as
quickly as possible to enough members of the population. This is to dramatically slow
down and reduce the risk of infection.

The humble intention of this bill is to aid reach the goal of procuring and
administering the vaccine as early as possible by outrightly authorizing the Local
Government Units and the private sector to procure the vaccine.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnest!

CONG. “KUYA” JOSBANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO
epresentative
irst District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8561
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: CONG. “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO.

AN ACT
ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR
TO PROCURE AND ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES AND FOR OTHER,
PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to protect the health and safety of the public and to promote a just and dynamic social order
that will prosper and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty. Towards
this end, and acknowledging the adverse economic and societal impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, the State shall allow Local Goverament Units (LGU) and the private sector to
engage in the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines for the immediate
and efficient vaccination for all Filipinos.

SECTION 2. LGU and Private Sector Authorization. - Local Government Units
and duly registered businesses with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
Department of Trade and Industry are hereby authorized to procure and administer
COVID-19 vaccines and other supplies necessary for its effective storage, transportation
and administration; Provided, That the vaccines as authorized herein shall be exclusively
for the residents of the Local Government Unit or for the individuals, or their dependents,
in the employment of a private business entity.

SECTION 3. Exception from Universal Health Care Law. - The requirement of
Phase IV trials for COVID-19 vaccines stated in the Universal Healthcare Law is hereby
waived to expedite the procurement and administration of the said vaccines; Provided, That
the following minimum safeguards are in place:

a. The vaccine is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other
internationally recognized agencies or international medical community;

b. Conduct of safety and effectiveness surveillance, aligned with surveillance
reporting systems from other countries’ regulatory authorities;

c. Risk communication on the benefits and risks of the vaccine;
d. Informed consent and assent to vaccine recipients; and
e. Conduct of community engagement activities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other relevant agencies shall also
expedite authorizations for vaccines or which trials have been conducted successfully.


SECTION 4. Tax Exemption, — The importation of COVID-19 vaccines under
this act shall be exempt from customs duties, value added taxes, excise taxes and other
fees.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Committee on the
Rightsizing of the National Government shall formulate the necessary IRR within fifteen
(15) days after effectivity of this act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any of provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. 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,