HOUSE OF REPRESE!
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
irstRegular Session

House Bill No. 8444

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES
EVELINA ESCUDERO AND MARIA VIDA ESPINOSA BRAVO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, cancer ranks third in leading causes of morbidity
and mortality after communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
There is at present a low cancer prevention consciousness and most cancer
patients seek consultation only at advanced stages, hence cancer survival
rates are relatively low. 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. The main culprit: lack of financial
resources.

Among the great challenges for those diagnosed with cancer is finding
funds to complete the recommended treatment. The more severe the
condition, the higher the cost of treatment. This puts tremendous stress on
families who will suffer both emotionally, seeing their loved ones suffer
from health issues, and financially. There is a cure. But many cannot afford
the treatment on their own. For the very poor, a treatable illness can be a
family tragedy.

This bill seeks to establish an Indigent Cancer Patients’ Assistance
Fund to support the medicine and treatment needs of indigent and
underprivileged cancer patients in the country. The Fund will be
administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
and of which will be determined also by PhilHealth in coordination with the
Department of al Welfare and Development (DSWD) and _ the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

It is envisioned that through the implementation of such a mechanism
of providing assistance to indigent cancer patients and their families the
State’s mandate to promote and protect the right of the people to health is
fulfilled.


It is in this view that the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly
sought.

EVELINA ESCUDERO
Representative
First (1°) District, Sorsogon

[A FIDA ESPINOSA BRAVO
-phesentative
Firs} (1) District, Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No 3441

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
MARIA VIDA ESPINOSA - BRAVO

AN ACT
TO ASSIST INDIGENT CANCER PATIENTS AND
THEIR FAMILIES, ESTABLISHING FOR THE
PURPOSE AN INDIGENT CANCER PATIENTS
ASSISTANCE FUND AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
inCongress assembled.

SECTION 1. Title -This Act shall be known as the ‘Indigent Cancer
Patients’ Assistance Fundof 2016’.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- \t is a declared policy of the
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people. For this
purpose, the State shall implement a system of providing premium care and
assistance to indigent cancer patients and their families.

SECTION 3. Establishment of the Indigent Cancer Patients’
Assistance Fund - An Indigent Cancer Patients’ Assistance Fund (ICPAF)
is hereby established to be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) to support the cancer medicine and treatment needs

of indigent and underprivileged cancer patients to be identified by


PhilHealth in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG),

SECTION 4. Appropriation - The initial funding of this Act shall
be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter,
such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within
ninety (90) days from the promulgation of this Act, the Philhealth in
consultation with the DSWD and DILG, and representatives from hospital
association, medical practitioners and civil society representing the
marginalized sectors shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for
the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. 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 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

APPROVED.