FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The environments in our homes and communities pose long-term risks to our health. 
Whether it be the location of a toxic waste dump, traffic patterns allowing diesel-powered trucks 
to rwnble past a school, or cmccr-causing formaldehyde in our homes and oftices, the placcs we 
live and work in can cause real hazards to ow health. 
It is importnnt for the government to provide support for efforts to improve community 
design and will issue grants to allow local governments and communities to address 
cnvironniental health liarads in the grassroots level. 
It is also important to ensurc that 
coinnitmities are involved in public health decisions that directly impact them. 
This bill seeks to require government agencies to support hcilth impact assessments and 
take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities.' 
' This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
- 
Ilk, -4 f! :: ’ *  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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,I 
d.,l. 
, .. 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ASSESSMENTS AND TAKE OTHER ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND THE 
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF COMMUNITIES 
REQUIRING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SUPPORT HEAI~TH IMPACT 
Re it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives qf the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be know1 as the “Ilealthy Places Act of 2007.” 
SIXTION 2. Ileclaralion qff‘olicy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and advance 
the right or the people to a balanced aid healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and 
harmony of nature. Pursuant to this policy, this Act shall require government agencies to support 
health impact assessments and take other actions to improve the health and the environmental 
quality of communities. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Ternzx -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Built environnient” means an environment consisting of all buildings, spaces, and 
products that are created or modified by people, including homes, schools, 
workplaces, parks and recreation areas, greenways, business areas, and 
transportation systems; electTic transmission lines; waste disposal sites; and land- 
use planning and policies that impact urban, rural, and suburban communities; 
(B) “Environmental health” means the health and well-being of a population as affected 
by the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation, and some biological 
agents; and the effects of the broad physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic 
environment; 
(C) “Eligible entity” means any unit of the national government or local governments 
the jurisdiction of which includcs individuals or populations the health of which are 
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or will be affected by an activity or a proposed activity. 
‘I’he term shall also mean a local coinniunity that bears a disproportionate 
burden of exposure to environmental health hazards; has established a coalition 
with not less than one (1) community-based organization; and with not less than one 
(1) public health entity; health care provider organization; or academic institution; 
ensures planned activities and funding streams are coordinated to improve 
community health; and submits an application; 
“Eligible institution”’ means a public or private nonprofit institution that submits to 
the Secretary of Health an application for a grant under the grant program at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such agreements, assurances, and information 
as the Secretary may require; a 
‘‘Health” means, but is not limited to, cludes levels of physical activity; 
consumption of nutritional foods; rates of crime; air, water, and soil quality; risk of 
injury; accessibility to healthcare services; and other indicators as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary or Health; and 
Health impact assessment” means any combination of procedures, methods, tools, 
and means used under section 4 to analyze the actual or potential effects of a policy, 
program, or project on the health of a population, including the distribution of those 
effects within the population. 
SEC‘I’ION 4. Inter-Agency Working Group on Environmentul Health. - The Secretary of 
Health, in coordination with the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, shall establish 
an Inter-Agency Working Group to discuss environmental health concerns, particularly concerns 
disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations. 
The Inter-Agency Working Group shall be composed of a representative from each 
department or government agency, as appointed by the head of the department or government 
agency, that has jurisdiction over, or is affected by, environmental policies and projects, 
including the 
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(A) Department of Agriculture; 
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(B) Department ofTrade and Indusiry; 
(C) Department of National Defense; 
(D) Department of Education; 
(E) Department of Energy; 
(F) Department of Health; 
(G) Department of Interior and Local Government; 
(H) Department of Labor and Employment; 
(I) 
Department of Departmcnt of Transportation and Communications; 
(J) 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and 
(K) Such other government agencies as the Secretary o f  Health and the Secretary of 
Environment and Natural Resources shall jointly determine to be appropriate. 
The Inter-Agency Working Group shall 
(A) Facilitate communication and partnership on environmental health-related projects 
and policies to generate a better understanding of the interactions between policy 
areas; and to raise awareness of the relevance of health across policy areas to ensure 
that the potential positive and ncgativc health consequences of decisions are not 
overlooked; 
(B) Serve as a centralized mechanism to coordinate a national effort to discuss and 
evaluate evidence and knowledge on the relationship between the general 
environment and the health of the population of the Philippines; determine thc 
range of effective, feasible, and comprehensive actions to improve environmental 
health; and examine and better address the influence of social and eiivironmental 
determinants of health; 
Survey departments and government agencies to dctcrminc which policies are 
effective in encouraging, and how best to facilitate outreach without duplicating, 
efforts relating to environmental health promotion; 
(D) Establish specific goals within and across departments and government agencies for 
(C) 
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cnvironmental health promotion, includibg determinations of accountability for 
reaching those goals; 
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(E) Develop a strategy for allocating responsibilities and ensuring participation in 
environmental health promotions, particularly in the case of competing agency 
priorities; 
(1;) 
Coordinate plans to communicate research results relating to environmental health 
to enable reporting and outreach activities to produce more useful and timely 
information; 
(G) Establish an interdisciplinary commitlee lo continue research efforts to further 
understand thc relationship betwcen the built environment and health factors, 
including air quality, physical activity levels, housing quality, access to primary 
health care practitioners and health care facilities, injury risk, and availability of 
nutritional, fresh food, that coordinates the expertise of the public health, urban 
planning, and transportation communities; 
(H) Develop an appropriate research agenda for departments and government agencies 
to support longitudinal studies; rapid-response capability to evaluate natural 
conditions and occurrences and extensions of national daldbases; and to review 
evaluation and economic data relating to the impact of government interventions on 
the prevention of environmental health concerns; 
Initiate environmental health impact demonstration projects to develop integrated 
place-based models for addressing community quality-of-life issues; 
Provide a description of evidence-based best practices, model programs, effective 
guidelines, aid other strategies for promoting environmental health; 
(K) Make recommendations to improve government efforts relating to environmental 
health promotion and to ensure government efforts are consistent with available 
standards and evidence and other programs in existence as of the datc of enactment 
offhis Act; 
(l:,,) Monitor government progress in meeting specific environmental health promotion 
goals; 
(r) 
(J) 
(M) Assist in ensuring, to the lnaximum extent practicable, integration ofthe impact of 
environmental policies, programs, and activities of the government; 
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(N) Assist in the expansion ofnational public health and travel surveys to provide more 
detailed information about the connection between the built environment and 
health; 
(0) Assist in the devclopment of interdisciplinary education programs to train 
professionals in conducting recommended research; and to prepare practitioners 
with appropriate skills at the intersection of physical activity, public health, 
transportation, and urban planning; and 
Assist the Secretary of Health with the development of guidance for the assessment 
of the potential health effects of land use, housing, and transportation policy and 
plans. 
(P) 
The Inter-Agency Working Group shall meet at least three (3) times each year. 
The Sccrctary of Health shall sponsor an annual conference on environmental health and 
health disparities to enhance coordination, build partnerships, and share best practices in 
environmental health data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
SECTION 5. Fleallh Impact Assessments. - The Secretary o f  Health shall establish a 
program focused on advancing the field of health impact assessment, including collecting and 
disseminating best practices; administering capacity building grants; providing technical 
assistance and training; conducting evaluations; awarding competitive extramural research 
grants. He shall likewise develop guidance for the conduct health impact assessments and 
establish a grant program to allow eligible entities to conduct health impact assessments. 
The Secretary of Health, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Working Group, shall 
develop guidance for the assessment of the potential health effects of land use, housing, and 
transportation policy and plans, including background on international efforts to bridge urban 
planning and public health institutions and disciplines, including a review of health impact 
assessment best practices internationally; evidence-based causal pathways that link urban 
planning, transportation, and housing policy and objectives to human health objectives; data 
resources and quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods to evaluate both the status of 
health determinants and health effects; and best practices for inclusive public involvement in 
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planning decision-making. 
‘Thc Secretary of Health, shall cstaldish a program under which the Secretary shall 
provide funding and technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare health impact assessments 
to ensure that appropriate health factors are taken into consideration as carly as practicable 
during any planning, review, or decision-making process; and to evaluate the effect on the health 
of individuals and populations, and on social and economic development, of decisions made 
outside of the health sector that result in modifications of a physical or social environment. 
To receive a grant uiidcr this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary of 
Health an application in accordance with this subsection, in such time, in such manner, and 
containing such additional information as the Secretary may require. 
An application under this Section shall include an assessment by the eligible entity of the 
probability that an applicable activity or proposcd activity will have at least 1 significant, adverse 
health effect on an individual or population in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, based on the 
criteria described in subparagraph. 
The criteria referred to in the preceding paragraph include, with respect to the applicable 
activity or proposed activity any 
(A) Substantial adverse effect on existing air quality, ground or surface water quality 
or quantity, or haffc or noisc levels; a significant habitat area; physical activity; 
injury; mental health; social capital; accessibility; the character or quality ol‘ an 
important historical, archeological, architectural, or aesthetic resource (including 
neighborhood character) of the community o€ the eligible entity or any other 
natural resourcc; 
(B) Increase in solid waste production; or problems relating to erosion, flooding, 
leaching, or drainage; any requirement that a large quantity of vegetation or fauna 
be removed or destroyed; and 
(C) Conflict with the plans or goals of the community ofthe eligible entity; 
(D) Major change in the quantity or type of energy used by the community of the 
eligible entity; 
(E) Hazard presented to humai health; 
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(F) Substantial change in the use, or intensity o€use, of land in the jurisdiction ofthe 
eligible cntity, including agricultural, open space, and recreational uses; 
(G) Probability that the activity or proposed activity will result in an increase in 
tourism in thc jurisdiction of the eligible cntity; 
(H) Substantial, adverse aggregate impacl on environmental health. resulting from 
changes caused by the activity or proposed activity to two (2) or more elements 
of the environment; or two (2) or more related actions carried out under the 
activity or proposed activity; and 
(I) Other significant change of concern, as determined by the eligible entity. 
In malting an assessment under this Section, an eligible entity may take into consideration 
any reasonable, direct, indirect, or cumulative effect relating to the applicable activity or 
proposed activity, including the effect of any action that is included in the long-range plan 
relating to the activity or proposed activity; likely to be carried out in coordination with the 
activity or proposed activity; dependent on the occurrence of the activity or proposed activity; or 
likely to have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged populations. 
In preparing a health impact assessment under this subsection, an eligible entity shall 
follow guidelines developed by the Secretary of Health, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency 
Working Group, that will be established not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Acl; and will be made publicly available at the annual conference described in Section 3(d)(2); 
and may establish a balance, as the eligible entity determines to be appropriate, between the use 
of rigorous methods requiring special skills or increased use of resources; and expedient, cost- 
effective measures. 
Before preparing and submitting to the Secretary of Health a final health impact 
assessment, an eligible entity shall request and take into consideration public and agency 
comments, in accordance with this Section. 
Not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which a draft health impact assessment is 
completed, an eligible entity shall submit the draft health impact assessment to each departnient 
and government agency, and local government, that has jurisdiction with respect to the aclivity 
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or proposed activity lo which the health impact assessment applies; has special knowledge with 
respect to an environmental or health impact of the activity or proposed activity; or is authorized 
to develop or enforce any environmental standard relating to the activity or proposed activity. 
SECTION 6. Health Impact Assessment Datahase. - The Secretary, shall establish and 
maintain a health impact assessment database, including a catalog of health impact assessments 
received under this Section; an inventory of tools used by eligible entities to prepare draft and 
final health impact assessments; and guidance for eligible entities with respect to the selection of 
appropriate tools. 
SEC'I'ION 7. Grant Program. - The Secretary of Health shall establish a grant program 
under which eligible entities shall receive grants to conduct environmental health improvement 
activities. 
To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the 
Secretary of 1-lealtli at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
Secretary may require. An eligible entity may use a grant under this Section to promote 
environniental health; and to addrcss environniental health disparities. 
SECTION 8. Addilional Research on the Relationship Between the Btiill Environment 
(2nd the Health of Community Residents. - The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible 
institutions to conduct and coordinate research on the built environment and its influence on 
individual and population-based health. I-le or she shall support research that investigates and 
defines the causal links between all aspects of the built environment and the health of residents; 
examines the cxtcnt of the impact of the built environment (including the various characteristics 
of the built environment) on the health of residents; the variance in the health of residents by 
location such as inner cities, inner suburbs, and outer suburbs; and population subgroup (such as 
children, the elderly, the disadvantaged); or the importance of the built environment to the total 
hcalth of residents, which is the primary variable of interest from a public health perspective; 
distinguishes carefully between personal attitudes and choices and external influences on 
observed behavior to determine how much an observed association between the built 
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environment and the health of residents, versus the lifestyle preferences of the people that choose 
to live in the neighborhood, reflects the physical characteristics of thc neighborhood; identifies 
or develops effective intervention strategies to promote better health among residents with a 
focus on bchavioral intcrvcntions and cnhancements of the built enviromncnt that promote 
increased use by residents; and in developing the intervention strategies which will reach out to 
high-risk populations, including low-income urban and rural communities. 
In providing assistance under the grant program under this Section, the Secretary of 
Ilcalth shall give priority to research that incorporatcs interdisciplinary approaches; or the 
expertise of the public health, physical activity, urban planning, and transportation research 
communities in the United Statcs and abroad. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - In 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 10. Repealing CZause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/jab 
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