Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3078

House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘A measles outbreak occurred in Metro Manila and several other regions in the country
during the early part of 2019. From January to June 2019, the Department of Health (DOH)
reported more than 30,000 measles cases and more than 500 deaths due to the said disease

nationwide.

The rise in measles cases can be attributed to the low vaccine coverage. Health officials
acknowledged that one of the contributing factors to this is the loss of trust and confidence in
vaccines resulting from the 2017 Dengvaxia controversy. In fact, a recent study from the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that in 2018, only 60%-80% believe that
vaccines are important, safe, and effective. This is a huge drop from close to 100% in 2015.

There is a need to stem the tide of measles cases. At this day and age, it is simply
inexcusable to have tens of thousands suffer and hundreds die from preventable diseases like
measles. The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to safeguard the health of the Filipinos.
Article Il, Section 15 states:

The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and

instill health consciousness among them.


The World Health Organization explained that in order for a community to be fully

protected against measles, a 95% immunization coverage among all children is needed. The

government must strive to return to our previous status when the country is nearly measles-free.
A robust immunization program is imperative for the country to completely eradicate the
vaccine-preventable diseases. Such program is in line with Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987
Constitution which mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development.

One immediate action of the DOH in response to the recent measles outbreak is the
school-based immunization program aimed at targeting the cohort of kinder to Grade 7 students.
Tapping the public education system is an effective way of reaching those who are
undervaccinated or unvaccinated.

There is a need to incorporate the school-based immunization program into law. Doing so
would strengthen the program and ensure its consistent and regular implementation through the
years. Institutionalizing this program would especially benefit the poor as they will receive an
effective healthcare intervention that serves as protection from diseases. This would help reduce
future health costs which will have a huge adverse impact in their subsistence.

TRENE GAY F.
Kalinga Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3078

House Bill No.

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE IRENE GAY F. SAULOG

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10152, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
"MANDATORY INFANTS AND CHILDREN HEALTH IMMUNIZATION ACT OF 2011"

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. The following provision is inserted as Section 4-A of Republic Act No.
10152, otherwise known as “Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011”:
"SEC. 4-A. SCHOOL-BASED NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION
PROGRAM - THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(DEPED) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT (DILG), SHALL UNDERTAKE A SCHOOL-BASED
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST. THE DOH SHALL DETERMINE
THE VACCINES SUITABLE FOR THE VARIOUS AGE GROUPS FROM
‘THE LIST ENUMERATED IN SECTION 3 UNDER THIS ACT.


SEC. 2. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be included in the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) under the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days upon the
approval of this Act, the DOH and all concerned agencies shall formulate rules and regulations as
may be necessary for the proper implementation thereof.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any part, section, or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders,
administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this

Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,