FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. _2=,""2 .... 2_ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
Section 15 of Article II under the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shaU protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Unfortunately, recent data proved otherwise. According to a report from the Department of 
Science and Technology in 2008, thousands of women in the Philippines are diagnosed with 
some form of gynecologic cancer each year and it i$ estimated tbat about one-third of (h{~rn will 
succumb to !heir disease. I This is a national tragedy magnified by the fact that the most 
common gynecologic cancers - ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer - have five-year survival 
rates exc~eding 90% when diagnosed at their earliest stages. 
Because early detection and treatment often mean the difference between life and death, it is 
important to increase awareness of the factors that put certain women at a higher risk of 
, gynecological cancer. Because symptoms of such are vague and non-specific, women and 
their physicians often attribute them to more common conditions so that by the time the 
disease is diagnosed the cancer has often spread. 
Although development of a screening test to detect aU these forms of gynecological cancer 
remains a very active area of research, currently there is no definitive prevention strategy, 
but having regular examinations may decrease the overaU risk of dying from cancer. It is 
clearly in the interest of advancing the public health for this State to commit itself to a 
widespread and sustained effort to increase awareness of gynecologic cancer among the 
general public. While fJyncc;oJogic cf!J1Ccl'~ ,!I'll othm asymptomatic, aWi,lrcne~s CHIl lcud to c:udy 
detection ,mel succcssfill treatment. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~:-"SO~8~ESrv 
Senator 
J Tyrone M. Reyes, ~'The lowdown on gynecological cancers," 
hl!P~!WW-'~'llIb!:Q,9,'2elg.Q,Y,JMlil2!'ilLYLirr;;ls:.'fd2lm!b~alth:LW~e159}1l253 (accessed 11 March 2009). 
1 


FIFTEENTlI CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
_1 
222 
S.NO. ___ 
_ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A GYNECOLOGIC CANCER PUBLIC EDUCATION AND 
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title.-
This act shall be known and may be cited as the 
2 
"Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act. " 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Establishment of a public education and awareness campaign.- The 
5 
Department of Health (DOH) shall establish a public education and awareness campaign to 
6 
inform the general public about the clinical significance of gynecologic cancer and its public 
7 
health implications, including, at a minimum, the risk factors, symptoms, need for early 
8 
detection, and methods of treatment associated with gynecologic cancer. 
9 
10 
SEC 3. Functions of the campaign.- For the purposes of the public education and 
11 
awareness campaign, the DOH Secretary shall, at a minimum: 
12 
1. provide for the development of printed educational materials and public service 
13 
announcements in English and Spanish; 
14 
2. disseminate information for distribution to the public through such entities as the 
15 
commissioner determines most appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Act, including, 
16 
but not limited to, local health agencies and clinics, physicians, health care facilities, county 
1 


• 
1 
offices on aging, pharmacies, libraries, senior citizen centers, and other community-based 
2 
outreach programs and organizations; 
3 
3. post such information on the official Internet website of the DOH; and 
4 
4. take such other actions as the commissioner deems appropriate to enhance public 
5 
awareness of gynecolog'ic cancer among members of the general public. 
6 
7 
SEC. 4. Appropriations.- There is appropriated three million pesos (Php 3 M) from 
8 
the General Fund to the DOH to carry out the public education and awareness campaign 
9 
pursuant to this act. 
10 
11 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause.- Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and regulations 
12 
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby amended or 
13 
repealed. 
14 
15 
SEC. 6. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
16 
publication in at least two (2) natio)1al newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2