• 
15th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'1? 
MI\R 13) '1 :2 tl 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 3151i! 
Introduced by Honorable Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the United States the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the National Institutes 
of Health (NIH), which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the US, Department of Health and 
Human Services. The NCI coordinates the US. National Cancer Program and conducts and 
supports research, training, health infonnation dissemination, and other activities related to the 
causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer; the supportive care of cancer patients and 
their families; and cancer survivorship. 
In the Philippines, cancer ranks third in leading causes of morbidity and mortality after 
communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases, 75% of all cancers occur after age 50 years, 
and only about 3% occur at age 14 years and below. If the current low cancer prevention 
consciousness persists, it is estimated that for every 1800 Filipinos, one will develop cancer 
annually. At present, most Filipino cancer patients seek medical advice only when symptomatic 
or at advanced stages: for every two new cancer cases diagnosed annually, one will die within 
the year. 
This bill seeks to create a National Cancer Institute of the Philippines to provide 
centralization of planning, programs, and activities related to the prevention, detection, diagnosis 
and treatment of cancer, in connection with the policy of the state, Article 2, Section 15 of the 
1987 Constitution which provides - The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


IJr • • 
15th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'12 
MAri 13 
i' -; :(,H 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 3152 
Introduced by Honorable Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING A NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE TO BE KNOWN AS 
THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as "The National Cancer Institute Act of 
2012". 
Section 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. It is hereby declared as further 
policy and principles of the State to: 
a. Promote specialized, 
multidisciplinary and comprehensive cancer research, 
dissemination and/or utilization of the results of research and development including 
the formulation, updating, and implementation of a comprehensive cancer control 
plan with the aim of overcoming cancer; 
b. Promote the improvement of an environment for the prompt evaluation and approval 
of drugs/medical devices that are highly needed in cancer treatment, through the 
linkage with Bureau of Food and Drug (BF AD), Department of Trade and Industry, 
Department of Agriculture and other concerned agencies; 
c. Enhance cancer prevention through education of, and information dissemination to, 
the public, health care professionals and institutions; 
d. Encourage evidence-based early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment cancer; 
e. Enable cancer patients to receive appropriate treatment based on scientific 
. knowledge; 
f. 
Establish a system that provides equitable distribution of medical cancer care in 
which the treatment is chosen and administered according to the situation of the 
patient regardless of financial ability; 
g. Promote palliative care including pain management, hospice care and other measures 
to improve the quality of life of cancer patients even terminal ones; and 
h. Support the rehabilitation of cancer patients through comprehensive programs 
including providing assistance to cancer survivors. 
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Section 3. National Cancer Advisory Board. There is hereby created the national 
Cancer Advisory Board, to be composed of fifteen members as follows: 
a. The Secretary of the Department of health (DOH), the Secretary of the Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Health Research 
and Development (PCHRD), and the Director of the National Institutes of Health 
(NIH) as ex officio members of the Board. 
b. Twelve members appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation 
through a careful selection process. The scientists and physicians appointed to the 
Board shaH be persons who are among the country's leading scientific or medical 
authorities and who are outstanding in the study, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer or 
in fields related thereto. Each appointed member of the Board shall, by virtue of his 
or her training, experience, and background, is qualified to appraise the programs of 
the National Cancer Institute. The appointed member shall receive an honorarium of 
not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos per attendance to the Board's meeting, while the 
ex officio members shall receive per diem compensation. 
1. Appointed members shall serve for a period of four years. Any vacancy shall 
be filled by appointment by the President of the Philippines, upon 
recommendation of the National Cancer Advisory Board. 
2. Any member appointed to fill vacancy occurring prior to expiration of the 
term for which his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the 
remainder of such term. 
3. Appointed member shall be eligible for reappointment and may serve after the 
expiration of their terms until their successors have assumed office. 
4. A vacancy in the Board shall not affect its activities, and eight members, 
including the ex officio members, thereof shall constitute a quorum. 
Section 4. Powers and Functions of the National Cancer Advisory Board. The Board 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
a. The regular members of the Board shall elect from among themselves a Chairman 
who shall be the presiding officer of the board. 
b. The Board shall elect from among themselves the Director of the National Cancer 
Institute who shall also serve as Vice Chairman of the Board. 
c. The Board shall formulate policies and adopt measures, including the formulation of 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations, which are necessary to carry out the 
provision of this Act. 
d. The Board shall meet at the call of the Director of the National Cancer Institute or the 
Chainnan, not less than once a month, and shall advise and assist the Director of the 
National Cancer Institute with respect to the National Cancer Program. 
e. The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall designate a member of the staff of 
the Institute to act as Executive Secretary of the Board. 
2 


f 
The Board shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer 
Program fonnulated, updated and improved by the NCI and shall report directly to the 
President. Any delays or blockages in rapid execution of the program shall 
immediately be brought to the attention of the President. 
g. 
The Board may hold such hearings, take such testimony, and sit and act at such times 
and places as the Board deems advisable to investigate programs and activities of the 
National Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute. 
h. The Board shall submit to the President periodic progress reports on the program. 
Annual evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions for improvements 
shall be submitted for transmittal to the Congress of the Philippines not later than 
January 31 of each year. 
1. 
The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall make available to the Board such 
staff, infonnation, and other assistance as it may require in carrying out its activities. 
Section 5. National Cancer Institute. There is hereby established a National Cancer 
Institute which shall compile data, conduct, coordinate, researches, investigations, experiments, 
and studies relating to the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. This Institute shall assist the 
foster similar research activities by other institutions and organizations, public and private, 
including individuals. The Institute is furthermore established to promote coordination in all such 
researches and the useful application of their results with a view to the development and prompt 
widespread use of the most effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. 
Linkages with National Institutes of Health and Department of Science and Technology through 
Philippine Council for health Research and Development will be coordinated to avoid overlap of 
projects. 
Section 6. Director of the National Cancer Institute. 
a. The Director of the National Cancer Institute coordinates all activities of the 
Department of Health and of other Departments of government and non-
governmental agencies or institutions relating to cancer and the National Cancer 
Program. 
b. In formulating and implementing the National Cancer program, the Director of the 
National Cancer Institute shall: 
1. With the advice of the National Cancer Advisory Board, plan and develop the 
National Cancer Program, including an expanded, intensified, and coordinated 
cancer research program encompassing the programs of the National Cancer 
Institute, related programs of the other research institutes, and other national 
and local, private and public cancer programs. 
2. Expeditiously utilize existing research facilities and personnel of the 
Department of Health, the Department of Science and Technology through 
PCHRD and the University of the Philippines National Institute for health for 
accredited exploration of opportnnities in areas of special promise. 
3. Encourage and coordinate cancer research by industrial concerns where such 
concerns evidence a particular capability for such research. 
3 


4. Collect, analyze, and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, 
and treatment of cancer, including the establishment of an international cancer 
research data bank to collect, catalog, store, and disseminate insofar as 
feasible the results of cancer research undertaken in any country for the use of 
any person involved in cancer research in any country. 
5. Establish or support the large-scale production or distribution of specialized 
biological materials and other therapeutic substances for research and set 
standards of safety and care for persons using such materials. 
6. Support research in the cancer filed outside the country by highly qualified 
foreign nationals which research can be expected to redound to the benefit of 
the Filipino people; support collaborative research involving foreign 
participants; and support the training of Filipino scientists abroad and foreign 
scientists in the country. 
7. Support appropriate manpower programs of training in fundamental sciences 
and clinical disciplines to provide an expanded and continuing manpower base 
from which to select investigators, physicians, and allied health professions 
personnel, for participation in clinical and basic research and treatment 
programs relating to cancer, including where appropriate the use of training 
stipends, fellowships, and career awards. 
8. Call special meetings of the National Cancer Advisory Board t such times and 
in such places as the Director deems necessary in order to consult with, obtain 
advice from, or to secure the approval of projects, programs, or other actions 
to be undertaken without delay in order to gain maximum benefit from a new 
scientific or technical finding. 
9. Prepare and submit, directly to the President of the Philippines for review and 
transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the National Cancer 
Program, after reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by 
the Secretary of Health, the Director of the National Institute of Health, and 
the National Cancer Advisory Board and receive from the President and the 
Department of Budget and Management directly all funds appropriated by 
Congress for obligation and expenditure by the National Cancer Institute. 
Section 7. National Cancer Research and Demonstration Centers. 
a. A National Cancer Research Center is hereby established in each metropolitan city in 
the country and one in the National Capital Region for clinical research, training, and 
demonstration of advanced preventive, diagnostic, and treatment methods relating to 
cancer. 
b. 
The National Cancer Research Centers in the metropolitan cities and ion the National 
Capital region are hereby further designated as Regional Cancer Centers and shall 
perform the functions and assume the responsibilities of Cancer Centers as defined in 
Section 9 of this Act. 
c. The Director of the National Cancer Institute, under policies established by the 
Director of the National Institutes of Health, the PCHRD and the DOS T and after 
consultation with the National Cancer Advisory Board, is authorized to enter into 
cooperative agreements with public or private non-profit agencies or institutions to 
pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, or strengthening, and providing 
4 


basic operating support for the research centers including, but not limited to, centers 
established for clinical research, training, and demonstration of advanced diagnostic 
and treatment methods relating to cancer. 
Such payment under this subsection in support of such cooperative agreements may 
be used for: 
1. Construction of the designated center; 
2. Staffing and other basic operating costs, including such patient care costs as 
are required for research; 
3. Training including training for allied health professions personnel; and 
4. Demonstration purposes; 
Support of a center under this section may be for a period of not to exceed three years and 
may be extended by the Director of the National Cancer Institute for additional periods of 
not more than three years, after review and recommendation of the operations of such 
center by an appropriate scientific review group established by the Director of the 
National Cancer institute. 
Section 8. Cancer Control Programs. The Director of the National Cancer Institute 
shall establish programs as necessary for cooperation with national and other health agencies in 
the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. 
Such programs to be established should give priority to the following: 
a. A financial subsidy given to indigent patients, upon qualification, to cover the 
expenses of all necessary laboratory tests and other related examinations during the 
diagnosis as well as the expenses needed for treatment of cancer; 
b. A financial subsidy to be given to non-governmental cancer support groups in 
recognition of and in order to facilitate the continuity of the programs they have for 
cancer patients as well as for their families especially in coping and dealing with the 
circumstances. However, only recognized and duly organized support groups shall be 
granted subsidy in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this 
Act; 
c. An independent support group shall be established as a standing program to augment 
the emotional support needed by cancer patients including their families in dealing 
and coping with the circumstances through regular inspirational and motivational 
sessions with cancer survivors and family members who have experienced having a 
relative similarly afflicted with cancer. 
Section 9. Cancer Centers. 
a. It is hereby established the Regional Cancer Centers for each region in the country and 
will coordinate with the National Cancer Institute through its executive chief officer. 
5 


The responsive Cancer Centers are established to carry out the function of 
administering the National Cancer Program as developed by the National Cancer 
Institute after consultation with the National Cancer Advisory Board. 
1. The Regional Cancer Centers shall be respectively administered by the head 
of the Regional Department of Health Offices as executive chief officer of the 
Regional Cancer Center under a national central executive chief officer 
designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health among his 
undersecretaries. The regional cancer centers will coordinate with the National 
Cancer Institute. 
2. The administrative staff comprising each respective cancer centers shall be 
provided for under the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be formulated 
by the National Cancer Advisory Board. 
b. The National Cancer Institute through the Director shall oversee each cancer center in 
the country, and upon approval by the National Cancer Advisory Board through a 
Board Resolution, is hereby authorized to: 
1. Obtain the services of not more than fifty experts or consultants who have 
scientific or professional qualifications to be designated in each regional 
cancer centers and in the national cancer centers; 
2. Acquire, construct, improve, repair, operate, and maintain cancer centers, 
laboratories, research, and other necessary facilities and equipment, and 
related accommodations as may be necessary, and such other real or personal 
property inc! uding patents as the Director deems necessary; 
3. Appoint one or more advisory committees composed of such private citizens 
and officials of the local governments as he deems desirable to advise him 
with respect to his functions; 
4. Utilize, with their consent, the services, equipment, personnel, information, 
and facilitates of other local public agencies, with or without reimbursement 
therefore; 
5. Accept voluntary and uncompensated services; 
6. Accept unconditional gifts, or donations of services, money, or property, real 
or personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible; 
7. Enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other 
transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of his functions, with any 
public agency, or with any person, firm, association, corporation, or 
educational institution; and 
8. Take necessary action to ensure that all channels for the dissemination and 
exchange of scientific knowledge and information are maintained between the 
National Cancer Institute and other scientific, medical, and biomedical 
disciplines and organizations nationally and internationally. 
6 


• 
Section 10. Presidential Cancer Panel. 
a. There is established the President's Cancer Panel which shall be composed of three 
persons appointed by the president, who by virtue of their training, experience, and 
background are exceptionally qualified to appraise the National Cancer Program. At 
least two of the members of the Panel shall be distinguished scientists or physicians, 
recommended by the Director of the National Cancer Institute. 
b. Members of the panel shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that in the case 
of two of the members first appointed, one shall be appoints for a term of one year 
and one shall be appointed for a term of two years, as designated by the President at 
the time of appointment, and any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior 
to the expiration of the tenn for which his predecessor was appointed shall be 
appointed only for the remainder of such term. 
1. The President shall designate one of the members to serve as Chainnan for a 
term of one year. 
2. Members of the panel shall each be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay in effect for salary grade 20 of the General 
Schedule for each day during which they are engaged in the actual 
perfonnance of duties vested in the Panel, and shall be allowed travel 
expenses including a per diem allowance. 
c. The Panel shall meet at the call of the Chairman, but not less often than twelve times 
a year. A transcript shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting of the panel, and 
the Chairman shall make such transcript available to the public. 
d. The Panel shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer 
Program under this section, and shall report directly to the President. Any delays or 
blockages in rapid execution of the program shall immediately be brought to the 
attention of the President. The Panel shall submit to the President periodic progress 
reports on the Program and annually an evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and 
suggestions for improvements, and shall submit such other reports as the President 
shall direct. At the request of the President, it shall submit for his consideration a list 
of names of persons for consideration for appointment as Director of the National 
Cancer Institute. 
Section 11. Scientific Review and Reports on Cancer. 
a. The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall, by regulation, provide for proper 
scientific review of all research grants and programs over which he has authority by 
utilizing, to the maximum extent possible, appropriate peer review groups established 
within the national Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines and 
composed principally of scientists and other experts in the scientific and disease 
fields, and when appropriate, by establishing, with the approval of the National 
Cancer Advisory Board and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, other 
formal peer review groups as may be required. 
b. The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall, as soon as practicable after the 
end of each calendar year, prepare in consultation with the National Cancer Advisory 
Board and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report on the 
activities, progress, and accomplishments under the National Cancer Program during 
the preceding calendar year and a plan for the program during the next five years. 
7 


, . 
Section 12. Appropriation of Funds. The initial fund in the amount of FIFTY 
MILLION PESOS for the establishment of the National Cancer Institute including the initial 
implementation of its programs shall be appropriated from the gross income of the Philippine 
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and shall be directly remitted to a special account of the 
National Cancer Institute. Thereafter, for the continued implementation of this Act, such sums 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Cancer Advisory 
Board with the involvement of the stakeholders shall start to establish the committee that will 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this act within 90 days from the approval 
ofthis act. 
Section 14. Congressional Oversight Committee. There is hereby a Congressional 
Oversight Committee composed of five (5) members of the Senate and five (5) members from 
the House of Representatives. The members from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate 
President based on the proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least 
one (1) member representing the Minority. The members from the House of Representatives 
shall be appointed by the Speaker, also based on the proportional representation of the parties or 
coalitions therein with the respective Chairs of the House Committees on Health and on Science 
and Technology, and at least one (1) member representing the minority. 
Section 15. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
Section 16. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, or parts thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
Section 17. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
8