Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No.428 1 S

_Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health,
University of the Philippines, Manila, cancer has become a serious public health issue and
both a clinical as well as economic burden for Filipinos. Cancer has claimed thousands of
lives each year and several billions of pesos in healthcare and treatment cost were spent
because of the disease.

The Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology in an article entitled, “Cancer and the
Philippine Cancer Control Program", stated that cancer is the third leading cause of
morbidity and mortality in the country where leading cancer sites/types are lung, breast,
cervix, liver, colon and rectum, prostate, stomach, oral cavity, ovary and leukemia.
Presently, there is a low cancer prevention consciousness and most cancer patients seek
consultation only at advanced stages. Cancer survival rates in the Philippines are relatively
low.

The incidence and mortality rate of cancer in the country is expected to rise if
organized and sustained specialized care and preventive measures are not initiated. The
chemotherapy for cancer patients may cost about PIOO,000 per session. The cost of
treatment by radiation, or even examination by MRI, is burdensome even to middle-income
patients, and often beyond the reach of the poor, the reason why cancer has gained a
reputation as the disease for the rich.

In view of the foregoing, this bill seeks to establish a Cancer Assistance Fund aimed
at providing financial aid for costly medicines and treatment to poor cancer patients. The
proposal is in light of the social justice provision of the constitution which mandates for the
adoption of 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 c

For this reason, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

hyng
W Mp
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.428.1

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO INDIGENT CANCER PATIENTS AND ESTABLISHING FOR
THE PURPOSE A CANCER ASSISTANCE FUND

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. It is a declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of
the people. For this purpose, the State shall implement a system of providing premium care
and assistance to indigent cancer patients.

The State shall automatically appropriate the amount of One Billion Pesos (Php
1,000,000,000,00) annually to support the cancer medicine and treatment assistance
program to be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).
The Program shall prioritize indigent and underprivileged cancer patient beneficiaries to
be identified by the Philhealth in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).

The Philhealth in consultation with the DSWD and the representatives from hospital
association, medical practitioners and marginalized organizations shall formulate relevant
rules and regulations within six (6) months from the approval of this Act.

SEC 2. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved