Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HoUuSE BILL Noo 343

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING RESEARCH ON
THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF BREAST IMPLANTS

The Constitution, Section 13, Article 12 mandates the State to undertake appropriate
health manpower development and research, responsive to the country’s health needs
and problems.

Breasts implants have been widely suspected to increase the risk of a range of problems,
including cancer, connective tissue disease, implant rapture and hematoma. Despite
reports and conjectures showing adverse health impacts of breast implants, there are still
women who consider breast implants.

Women need complete and accurate information about the potential health risks and
advantages of breast implants, in order to know what to expect if they decide to undergo
implant surgery.

This bill seeks to promote research to identify and evaluate the health effects of breast
implants and to ensure that women and their doctors receive accurate information about

such implants.

LUIS UND “LRAY”) ILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. uate

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING RESEARCH ON
THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF BREAST IMPLANTS

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 “Breast Implant Research and
Information Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. —- The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12 mandates
the State to appropriate health manpower development and research responsive to the
country’s health needs and problems. Taking into account this mandate, the State shall
promote research to identify and evaluate the health effects of breast implants, and to
ensure that women and their doctors receive accurate information about such implants.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Health;

(8) “Breast implants” means implants filled with silicon gel, saline, or a combination of
the two;

(C) “Committee” means the Committee on Breast Implant and Research.

SECTION 4. Breast Implant Research. — The Secretary shall conduct or support

research to expand the understanding of the health implication of breast implants. Such

research shall:

(A) If deemed to be scientifically appropriate, include multidisciplinary, olinical,
case-controlled study of women with breast implants;


(B) Involve women who have had such implants in place for at least 8 years, focus on a
typical disease presentation, neurological dysfunction, and immune system
irregularities; and

(C) Evaluate to what extent if any, their health differs from a woman who has or has not
had breast implant.

SECTION 5. Committee on Breast Implant Research. - To assist the Secretary in
receiving accurate and complete information about the risk of breast implants, there shall
be established a committee, to be known as the Committee on Breast Implants, to
ensure the strategic management, communication, and oversight of the policy formation,
research, and activities of the government regarding breast implants.

SECTION 6. Composition. —The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members:
(A) Two (2) representatives from the department of Health;

(B) One (1) representative of any agency necessary to accomplish the purpose of the
Committee;

Four (4) physicians or practitioners with established credentials in the area of breast
implants; and

(D) Two (2) women who have had breast implants to be appointed by the President.

(C)

The Secretary shall act as chair of the Committee. He shall convene meetings of the
Committee, not less than twice each year, and compile information for the consideration
of the full Committee at such meetings.

SECTION 7. Meetings. - The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public and
public witnesses shall be given the opportunity to speak and make presentation at such
meetings. Each member shall make a presentation to the full Committee at each
meeting concerning the activities conducted by such member.

SECTION 8. Term, — Members shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term of three (3)
years. Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall serve for the three (3) years,
three (3) members for two (2) years, and the last three (3) members for one (1) year.

Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as
the original appointment,

Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause in accordance with
procedures established by the Committee.

SECTION 9. Functions. - The Committee shall have the following functions:

(A) Advice the Secretary on Appropriate research activities to be undertaken by the
Office with respect to research on the health impacts of breast implants;

(B) Report to the Secretary on such research;

(C) Provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of the Committee;

(D) Prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee;


(E) Ensure that materials concerning breast implants provided by the Department are
available, up to date, and responsive to the problems with breast implants, and are
timely aggregate data concerning such reports shall be made available to the public
upon request and consistent with existing confidentiality standards.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as
hereby necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National treasury.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuation of the research shall be included
in the annual appropriation of the Department of Health.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,