RESENTATIVES

RECENED
06 SEP 2016
Republic of the Philippines DATE: —
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ; -
First Regular Session RATION ONT

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House Bill No, 3497

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the country and is the
primary cause of death among Filipino women. With one out of every 13 Filipinas
expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, the Philippines ranks first in breast
cancer incidences in Asia?

It is important to note, however, that breast cancer is preventable and curable.
Through early screening and detection, coupled with proper treatment, the physical,
emotional, and economic consequences of being afflicted by breast cancer can be
prevented. Thus, it is important for the State to exert all efforts to increase awareness
and assist in preventing, diagnosing, and treating breast cancer among Filipino women.

This bill directs all local government units to hold quarterly breast cancer
screening programs through their health officers under the supervision of the
Department of Health. Furthermore, the LGUs are expected to establish and maintain
partnerships with non-government organizations and other health-related sectors to
ensure the effectiveness and success of the program in their area.

Through this initiative, not only do we give women with cancer a better chance
of remission and survival but we also spare their families from the physical and
emotional stress and financial burden that cancer brings to the family,

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS

* Philip C. Tubeza. Breast cancer is the most prevalent in PH. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Available at:
http://newsin{o,inquirermet/291078/breast-cancer-is-the-most-prevalent-in-ph [21 October 2018]

® Inquirer.net, PH highest breast cancer incidence rate in Asia, health experts say, Available at:
http://lilestyle,inquirernet/128663/ph-highest-breast-cancer-incidence-rate-in-asia-health-experts-say [21
October 2015]



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3497

House Bill No:

Introduced by Representative ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT.
REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO CONDUCT QUARTERLY BREAST
CANCER DETECTION PROGRAMS

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Breast Cancer Detection
Act of 2016”,

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them. Furthermore, the State recognizes the need to raise awareness among
Filipinos about the dangers of breast cancer and possible prevention of this illness.

SECTION 3.Breast Cancer Screening Program. ‘The Local Government Units
are hereby directed, through their local health officers and in close coordination with
the Department of Health, to hold a quarterly manual or mammogram breast cancer
screening program,

The Program will utilize the services of the ‘angay/Municipal/ City/Provincial
Health Workers in identifying breast cancer case: \ose who are positively identified
will be immediately referred to public health hospitals for treatment, management and
rehabilitation. The Health Workers concerned shall then maintain a case record on.
each individual found positive of breast cancer.

SECTION 4. Linkages and Support from Other Sectors. Appropriate linkages,
coordination and support with health-related sectors and Non-Government
Organizations with anti-breast cancer programs shall be established and maintained.

SECTION 5. Advocacy. Promotional and advocacy activities of the Program will
make use of the existing forms of media communications such as public service
announcements in radio and television, public fora and the generation of pamphlets for
dissemination to target clientele, Commitments from partner agencies in the form of
cost-sharing arrangements will be enjoined to ensure the success of the Program.


SECTION 6. Monitoring and Evaluation. The LGUs in coordination with the
Department of Health and partner agencies shall constantly assess the Program by way
of period/spot reporting and inter-LGU field visits for submission to the Department of
Health,

SECTION 7, Funds, The amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000,00)
for Provincial Government, Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (P75,000.00) for the City
Government and Fifty Thousand (P50,000.00) for Municipal Government shall be
earmarked annually from the respective Internal Revenue Allotment of these local
government units concerned for the implementation of this Program.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If for any reason orprovisionof this Actor any
portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion thereof to any
person, group or circumstance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of
this Act shall not be affected by such declaration and shall remain in force and effect,

SECTION 9, Repealing Clause. - All other laws, administrative orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
daysupon itspublication inat least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,