RECEIVED
are, OCT 2 4 2019

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Batasan Wills, Queson City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5232

Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis the duty of the state that dental health must be made readily available, most especially
in the rural areas where most citizens are not given the proper dental care due to either
inaccessibility or unaffordability

Hence, in line with the Constitution’s mandate that the State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them as stated in Section
15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution and pursuant to the policy of the State to adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development as stated in Section 11, Article
XIII of the 1987 Constitution, this bill seeks to accomplish the following objectives:

a) To pursue a Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health services as well
as to undertake appropriate health resource development in the country; and

b) To promote and increase the availability preventive dental healthcare in the rural
areas through the creation of dental health units within every rural health unit listed
under the Department of Health.

This measure is in accordance with the 1978 International Alma Ata Conference wherein
the Philippines joined several countries in the signing of a declaration formally adopting a
“Primary Health Care” approach. This approach sought to incorporate national policies to
sustain primary health care as part of the country’s national health system

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnes{Jy sought.

FLORENCIO GABRIEL “BEM” NOEL
An Waray Partylist Representative


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Batasan Hills, Queson City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._5232

Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel

AN ACT CREATING A DENTAL UNIT IN EVERY RURAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE PRIMARY APPROACH IN
THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. —Itis the policy of the Stat:

a) To pursue the Primary Health Care Approach in the delivery of health services and to undertake
the appropriate health human resource development for this policy; and

b) To promote preventive dental healthcare in the rural areas as part of the Primary Health
Care strategy.

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean

a) Rural Health Unit (also known as Main Health Center) shall be composed of a doctor, a nurse
and a midwife. Its function is to carry out the public health functions of the Department of
Health which includes both preventive and curative health care.

b) Dental Unit shall be composed of a public health dentist and a trained Barangay Health
Worker as a dental aide.

Sec. 3. Creation of Dental Unit. — As part of the Primary Health Care Approach, there is hereby
created a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the Department of Health.

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety (90) daysfrom the approval of this Act,
the Department of Health shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation
of this Act


See. 5. Funding. — The amount necessary for the purpose of this Act shall be funded from the current fiscal
year’s appropriation for the Department of Health (DOH). Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for
the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,