NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 253
Senate
of tl)*
72 JUL11 P4 -08
Rl-CEIVhD BV'
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A HEALTH MASTER PLAN TOWARDS THE INSTITUTION OF 
REFORMS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health 
Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the number one cause 
of death and disability in the world, but can be prevented through the reduction of 
tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets.1 The 
Philippines is one of 15 countries worldwide with a heavy burden of tobacco-related ill 
health, such that 87,600 Filipinos die annually from tobacco-related diseases.2 
Tobacco control is not only a public health priority, but also a key development issue 
which affects overall quality of life and well-being.3 In 2021, it was identified that 
Ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and COVID-19 virus were the lead 
causes of death in the Philippines.4
(n.d.).
Noncommunicabie diseases.
Pan American Health Organization. 
https://www.paho.org/en/topics/noncommunicable-
diseases#:~:text=Many%20NCDs%20can%20be%20prevented/injuries%20and%20mental%20healt
h%20disorders.
2 Department of Health, (n.d.). Tobacco control key facts and figures. https://doh.gov.ph/Tobacco- 
Control-Key-facts-and-Figures
3 Department of Health, (n.d.). Tobacco control key facts and figures. https://doh.gov.ph/Tobacco- 
Control-Key-facts-and-Figures
4 Philippine Statistics Authority. (2022, March 29). Causes of deaths in the Philippines (preliminary): 
January to December2021. https://psa.gov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-january- 
december-2021


With the foregoing, there is a need to strengthen our primary health care by 
rationalizing existing health-related programs and fully implement a holistic plan that 
would serve as a blueprint to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of 
Filipinos of all ages. As mentioned in Bill Gates' book entitled How To Prevent The 
Next Pandemic, "studies have shown that putting more focus into primary care can 
actually drive down overall health costs: If high blood pressure is diagnosed early 
through the primary care system, the patient can get inexpensive medication and 
counseling and avoid the life-threatening and expensive consequences—heart attack, 
kidney failure, stroke—that will require an expensive visit to the hospital. It's been 
estimated that 80 percent of health problems can be handled effectively by a strong 
primary health care system through preventive measures."5
In order to promote the constitutional right to health of Filipinos, and be 
consistent with our national objectives and country's commitment tso the International 
Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which requires the State to ensure 
healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, this proposed measure 
mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to craft and establish a Health Master Plan 
identifying the gaps and issues of our country's entire health care system. The DOH 
shall holistically review, rationalize, and consolidate its existing projects, activities, and 
programs, and provide, among others, long-term strategic plans. To measure our 
country's progress, the DOH shall determine the indicators which shall be evidence- 
based, measurable, grounded on science, and aligned with the parameters provided 
under the SDGs. In this regard, SDG 3 targets include: reducing global maternal 
health, ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, 
reducing by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
through prevention and treatment, and promoting mental health and well-being.
Our country has shown its commitment to the SDGs as we continue to enact 
health-related laws, such as Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act,
Bill Gates. (2022). How to prevent the next pandemic {p. 227). Penguin Random House.


which covered all Filipinos under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation,6 and 
increased their access to preventive care, medical diagnostic and treatment services 
for communicable diseases.7 The Health Master Plan would further ensure that the 
Philippines' health care system has the capacity to identify, address, prevent, and even 
withstand all health-related issues of Filipinos, including future public health events 
and emergencies.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill Is earnestly sought.
6 Department of Health. (2020, October 18). PhilHealth expedites 100% inclusion of all Filipinos in NHIP 
as part UHC. https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/PHILHEALTH-EXPEDITES-100-INCLUSION-OF-ALL- 
FILJPINOS-IN-NHIP-AS-PART-
UHC#:~:text=President%20Rodrigo%20Duterte%20signed%20the,health%20care%2C%20without 
%20ca usi ng %20f i na ncia I
7 World Health Organization. (2017). PhiUppines-WHO: Country cooperation strategy 2017-2022. 
https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1096340/retrieve#:~:text=The%20Philippines%E2%80%93 
WHO%20Country%20Cooperation%20Strategy%202017%E2%80%932022%20sets%20out,Sustaina 
ble%20Development%20Goals%20(SDGs).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
253
S. No.
I
,k >v7
of iiif ^cr.ctnrp
•22 JUL11 P4«8
RHCE!',:,,-DBV:
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A HEALTH MASTER PLAN TOWARDS THE INSTITUTION OF 
REFORMS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Phiiippine Heaith
2 
Master Pian."
3 
Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. — The State shall protect and promote the right
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to health of Filipinos and instill health consciousness among them. Towards this end,
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the State shall institute the necessary reforms to build a robust, well-designed, and
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resilient health system capable of ensuring timely access to the highest attainable
7 
standard of care to all its citizens; providing preventive and curative care for the most
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common conditions; and dealing with pandemics and other outbreaks of emerging
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and re-emerging infectious disease, as well as concurrent disasters. It shall adopt:
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(a) An integrated and comprehensive approach to ensure that all Filipinos
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are provided with healthy living conditions, protected from hazards and
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risks that could affect their health;
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(b) A health care model that provides all Filipinos access to a comprehensive
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set of quality, cost-effective, 
promotive, preventive, 
curative,
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rehabilitative, and palliative health services without causing financial
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hardship and prioritizes the needs of the population who cannot afford
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such services;
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(c) A framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and


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whole-of-society approach in the development, implementation,
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monitoring, and evaluation of health policies, programs, and plans; and
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(d) A people-oriented approach for the delivery of health services that is
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centered on people's needs and well-being, and cognizant of the
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differences in culture, values, and beliefs; and
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(e) A systematic approach to ensure that all Filipinos are health literate and
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knowledgeable about the importance of wellness, including good
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nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep.
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Sec. 3. Philippine Health Master Rian. —The Department of Health (DOH), as
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the lead agency, shall establish, continuously update, and fully implement a Health
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Master Plan that would serve as a blueprint to ensure healthy lives and promote the
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well-being of Filipinos of all ages. The Health Master Plan shall integrate all existing
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development plans of the DOH, identify the gaps and possible issues of the Philippines'
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entire health care system, and provide solutions, targets, and objectives based on
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science, which should be measurable through data-driven and evidence-based targets.
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The necessary annual budgetary requirements with the corresponding targets shall be
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included in the Health Master Plan, which shall be submitted yearly by the DOH to the
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Department of Budget and Management and other concerned agencies for the
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determination of appropriate budget allocation and inclusion under the National
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Expenditure Program of the government: Provided, That the DOH and local
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government units (LCDs) shall closely work together to ensure that there are no
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overlapping functions and the national and local targets are fully funded and
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implemented, taking into consideration the deiineated health programs, activities, and
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projects from the DOH to LGUs.
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Sec. 4. Philippine Health Master Plan Components. — Through the Health
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Master Plan, the DOH shall review, rationalize, and consolidate the existing projects,
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activities, and programs, and provide, among others, long-term strategic plans aligned
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with laws, rules and regulations, prioritizing and integrating the following:
29 
(a) Health Information System. - Close coordination with relevant
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government and non-government agencies, shall constantly,
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proactively, and systematically gather all relevant data and statistics on
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health, both at a local and international level, which will be the


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foundation of the policies in the Health Master Plan.
(b) 
Primary Health Care. - Prioritization of building a strong primary health 
care system that would allow Filipino patients to have access to 
affordable medication, including counseling, to avoid preventable 
diseases and life-threatening illnesses.
(c) 
Pollution. - Reduction of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals 
and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
(d) 
Maternal and Neonatal Health. - Prioritization of the health, well-being, 
and safety of mothers and children throughout their pregnancy, 
childbirth, and the postnatal period to avoid deaths and ensure that 
women and their children develop to their full potential.
(e) 
Infant and Mandatory Immunization. - Strengthen programs that ensure 
the full and safe development of infants and children, which shall be 
consistent with relevant laws, including Republic Act No. 10152, or the 
"Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011."
(f) 
Adolescent and Young Adult Health. - Identify the specific needs of 
adolescents in the Philippines and provide them access to, among 
others, health care, health education, mental health programs, and 
substance abuse intervention and prevention programs that ensure the 
full and safe development of adolescents and young adults' health during 
their critical transition periods to adulthood.
(g) 
Reproductive Health and Education. - Strengthen the reproductive 
health programs, activities, and projects to improve family and 
community health and well-being, which shall be consistent with 
Republic Act No. 10354, or The Responsible Parenthood and 
Reproductive Health Act of 2012. Ensure that Filipinos have access to 
sexual and reproductive health care services, including family planning, 
information, and education.
(h) 
Health Financing. - Prioritize cost-efficient health spending, including 
funding infrastructure, programs, services, human health workforce, 
vaccines, and medicines. Target for the Philippines to achieve financial 
sustainability of our health financing systems.


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(i) 
Digitalization of the Health System. - Utilize technological advancement 
on health and provide for a policy on an overall digital transformation, 
including e-health, online medical record or database for Filipino 
patients, and digitally-connected diagnostics.
(j) 
Screening of Harmful Products. - Regulate the approval of health-related 
products without sacrificing safety by strengthening its policy under 
relevant laws, including Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health 
Care Act and Republic Act No. 9711, or The Food and Drug 
Administration Act of2009.
(k) 
Research and Development of Vaccines and Medicines. - Maximize and 
formulate policies for the investment, monitoring, and reviewing of 
medical and health research development, which shall be consistent with 
relevant laws, including Republic Act No. 10532, or the Philippine 
National Health Research System Act of 2013.
(l) 
Universal Health Care. - Identify the gaps and issues in attaining 
universal health care in the Philippines, which should cover essential 
health services, service capacity and access, among the general and the 
most disadvantaged population.
(m) 
Infectious and Non-infectious Diseases. - Strengthen the system of 
surveillance, identification, and notification of infectious and non- 
infectious diseases internationally and locally, which shall be consistent 
with relevant laws, including Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory 
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health 
Concern Act The DOH shall also prioritize the end of the epidemics of 
AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat 
hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
(n) 
Health Human Resource. - Prioritize and recognize that the health 
human resource is the backbone of a dynamic health care system. 
Ensure that there is sufficient supply of human health resources in the 
Philippines, especially in geographically isolated, far-flung and 
disadvantaged areas.
(o) 
Global Linkages. - Join and actively participate in global health forums


1 
where all governments can share experiences, coordinate action, and
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agree on international standards and policies for global health.
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(p) International Health Standards. - Ensure full compliance with treaties
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where the Philippines is a signatory, and ensure that these are
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considered in the crafting of policies, rules, and regulations.
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(q) Early Warning and Risk Reduction. - Strengthen the Philippines'
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monitoring, early warning, risk reduction and management of national
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and global health risks.
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(r) Leadership and Governance. - Identify the roles and responsibilities of
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the government and non-government agencies at different levels,
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including national, regional, and local, in compliance with the Health
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Master Plan.
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The DOH shall lead the Philippines' health agenda, as provided in the Health
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Master Plan, by setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy
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options, providing technical support, and monitoring and assessing health trends on a
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local, regional, national, and international level.
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Sec. 5. Indicators of Good Health and Well-Being. — In setting and assessing
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the targets under the Health Master Plan, the DOH shall determine the indicators,
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which shall be aligned with the following parameters provided under the United
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Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:
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(a) 
Maternal mortality ratio;
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(b) Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel;
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(c) 
Under-five mortality rate;
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(d) 
Neonatal mortality rate;
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(e) Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex,
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age and key populations;
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(f) 
Tuberculosis incidence per 1,000 population;
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(g) Malaria incidence per 1,000 population;
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(h) 
Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 population;
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(i) 
Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical
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diseases;
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(j) Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or


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chronic respiratory disease;
Suicide mortality rate;
Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, 
and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders; 
Harmful use of alcohol, defined according to the national context as 
alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a 
calendar year in liters of pure alcohol;
Death rate due to road traffic injuries;
Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have 
their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods; 
Adolescent birth rate (aged 10-14 years; aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 
women in that age group;
Coverage of essential health services, which is the average coverage of 
essential services based on tracer interventions that include 
reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, 
non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access, among the 
general and the most disadvantaged population);
Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as 
a share of total household expenditure or income;
Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution; 
Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of 
hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All 
(WASH) services);
Mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisoning;
Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons 
aged 15 years and older;
Proportion of the target population covered by all vaccines included in 
their national programme;
Total net official development assistance to medical research and basic 
health sectors;
Proportion of health facilities that have a core set of relevant essential 
medicines avail me and affordable on a sustainable basis;


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(z) 
Health worker density and distribution;
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(aa) International Health Regulations capacity and health emergency
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preparedness; and
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(bb) Such other indicators to be determined by the DOH, which are consistent
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with the objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 6. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 7. Separabiiity Ciause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared
9 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected
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thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity Ciause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national
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circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,