FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 () 
SEI' 28 fill :44 
SEN~45 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Retinoblastoma is a cancer which develops ill the cells of the retina, the light sensitive 
layer of the eye. It may occur at any age, but usually occurs in younger children. In fact, 
retinoblastoma is the most common primary ocular malignancy (eye cancer) of childhood. 
Worldwide, the incidence of retinoblastoma is recorded to be about II cases per one 
million children younger than 5 years. A more commonly used estimate is one case of 
retinoblastoma per 18,000-30,000 live births, depending on the country. In the Philippines, 
unpublished reports have estimated the incidence to be more than one case of retinoblastoma per 
18,000 live births. l 
Early diagnosis and intervention is critical to the success of the treatment of this disease. 
The major goal of treatment is to save the patient's life, and secondarily, to salvage the eye and 
vision if possible. If untreated, retinoblasma is almost always fatal. It can spread outside the eye 
to the brain, the central nervous system and the bones. 
In a study where children sticken with 
the disease were diagnosed very late and had already developed tumors outside of the eye, 
eighty-seven percent (87%) of children died, who were mostly from developing countries. 
However, most children who begin treatment before the retinoblastoma has spread 
, 
beyond the eye are cured. Great strides have been made in treating retinoblastoma in recent 
years; many children retain their vision and more than 95 percent of children with retinoblastoma 
can be cured. 
1 Marichelle Aventura Isidro, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Santo Tomas 
University 
Hospital 
of 
Manila, 
Philippine 
Heart 
Center 
Retinoblastoma 
available 
at: 
http://emedicine.medscape.com/mtic1e/1222849-overview, September 2010. 
1 


Given this information, it is incumbent upon the State to assist parents in taking the 
necessary precautions. The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides: 
SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Thus this bill directs the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive program that 
would not only increase awareness of retinoblastoma but also improve access to various 
. 
, 
treatment optIOns. 
, 
This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress. 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
.,' 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First ReguIar Session 
) 
1 0 SEi' 28 r' 1 :44 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
SEN~~45 
S. No. 
(2 
Aece,vED IV .. ~ -
1 
AN ACT 
2 
TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH 
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A RETINOBLASTOMA PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION L Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Retinoblastoma Awareness 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall protect and promote the right to 
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health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
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SECTION 3. Retinoblastoma Awareness and Prevention Program. - The Secretary of 
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Health shall establish a retinoblastoma awareness and prevention program that shall include -
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(A) Public and community awareness programs concerning the prevention and 
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identification of retinoblastoma; 
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(B) The development of strategies to educate parents about retinoblastoma, early 
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warning signs, and risk factors based on the best available medical information and to encourage 
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parents to. discuss retinoblastoma with their child's physician. 
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(C) Increased accessibility to all treatment options for retinoblastoma and the provision 
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of services for children', adolescents, and adults with retinoblastoma. 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary shall, after public 
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consultations, prepare and disseminate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act not 
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later than six (6) months from the approval of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Appropriation. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
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may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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Thereafter, the amount necessary for the establishment of a retinoblastoma public awareness and 
2 
prevention program shall be included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Health. 
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SECTION 6. 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 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
7 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
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with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
II 
Approved, 
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