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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
E IN 15 
' L  . I '  
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution in Article 2, Section 13 provides that: 
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in 
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, 
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth 
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and 
civic affairs. 
The importance of medical and dental records cannot be overemphasized. These 
records serve as the basis for treatment and diagnosis of patients. In extreme cases, these 
records can be used to identify persons who are burned beyond recognition. Even our 
Labor Code in its Implementing Rules, Section 10 (b) provides that the employer shall 
maintain a record of all medical examinations, treatments and medical activities given to 
its employees. 
In the Philippines, we do not have a system of keeping track of our people's 
medical and dental records. Since majority of our people go to elementary and secondary 
schools, whether private or public, our schools can serve as the database collection center 
for medical and dental records. This bill aims to address the problem of the absence of 
sources of medical and dental records of our people. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
) 
E ilR'I 11 F r  , i: 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
TO HAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Medical and Dental Records Requirement. - All elementary and 
secondary schools, public or private, shall be required to have a database of their students 
medical and dental records upon the student's entrance in such schools and upon his or 
her entry into the grades prescribed by the Secretary of Health in regulations, provided 
that such regulations shall require that the records be updated at least twice during the 
elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history 
of any child may be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion 
to promote the educational interests of such child. The medical and dental records shall 
be attached in a file that contains the student's academic records. 
SECTION 2. Valid Issuers of Medical and Dental Certificates. - Each certificate 
in the medical and dental records shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician 
assistant, or nurse practitioner, in case of the medical certificate and a dentist in case of 
the dental certificate, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the 
examination was given, provided that the Secretary of Health has determined that such 
jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of the 
Philippines. 
SECTION 3. When Examination Should be Made. - Each such certificate shall 
describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be 
more than twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the 
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examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of 
health to permit his or her attendance at the public or private schools. 
SECTION 4. Source of the Medical and Dental Records. - The student has the 
choice of submitting to the school his medical and dental certificate which came from a 
legitimate source as prescribed in the preceding sections or be examined by the medical 
practitioner assigned in the school where he is to be enrolled. If such student does not 
present a health certificate as required in this section, unless he or she has been 
accommodated on religious grounds, the principal or the principal’s designee shall cause 
a notice to be sent to the parents or person in parental relationship to such student that an 
examination will be made of such student, as provided in this Act. 
SECTION 5. Respect for Religious Beliefs. - Notwithstanding the provisions of 
this Act, no examinations for a medical or dental certificate or medical or dental history 
shall be required where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to such 
student objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations or health history conflict 
with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is held 
invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order or rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 8. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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