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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
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S.B. No. 165 
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Introduced by SENATOR COMPARERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Recent studies have shown that Hepatitis B is endemic in the Philippines and 
now affects more than eight (8) million or around ten percent (10%) of Filipinos. 
Hepatitis B virus infection is the recognized cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and 
is likewise said to be the cause of hepato-cellular carcinoma. 
It is further established that Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted not only through 
contaminated blood or blood products, but also from an infected pregnant mother to her 
newborn, the probability of the latter in as high as 20 to 30 percent (20%-30%). Most 
Hepatitis B carriers are ignorant of their condition because symptoms are not manifest. 
Thus, the early prevention of the disease is still the best protection that may be given a 
child. Studies have shown that a routine Hepatitis B vaccination of all newborn, 
immediately within twelve (12) hours from birth, is the best opportunity to prevent 
unrecognized perinatal transmission of the virus and has been recommended by the 
World Health Organization (WHO). 
co 
SenaMr 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
S. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR COMPANERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT REQUIRING 
INFANTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 996 AS 
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
MANDATORY BASIC IMMUNIZATION SERVICES AGAINST HEPATITIS-B FOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION. 1. Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 996 as amended, is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 2. Scope - Basic Immunization services shall include (a) BCG Vaccination 
against tuberculosis; (b) Inoculation against diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis; (c) Oral 
poliomyelitis immunization; (d) Protection against measles; (e) Immunization against 
rubella; (9 immunization against Hepatitis-B; (9) such other basic immunization services 
for infants and children below eight years of age as determined by the Secretary of 
Health in a department circular: Provided, That [newborn infants of women with 
Hepatitis-B shall be given immunization against Hepatitis-B within twenty-four (24) 
hours after birth] ALL NEW BORN INFANTS SHALL BE GIVEN IMMUNIZATION 
AGAINST HEPATITIS-B IMMEDIATELY WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS 
AFTER BIRTH; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT INFANTS BORN OUTSIDE A 
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL CLINIC OR THE LIKE, SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO ANY 
AVAILABLE HEALTH CARE FACILITY SO AS TO BE IMMUNIZED AGAINST 
HEPATITIS-B WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS AFTER BIRTH BUT NOT LATER 
THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS: PROVIDED, FURTHERMORE, THAT THE SUBSEQUENT 
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DOSES OF HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION SHALL BE COMPLETED ACCORDING TO 


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THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE OF HEPATITIS-B IMMUNIZATION, AS MAY BE 
PROVIDED IN THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS ISSUED UNDER 
SECTION 4 HEREOF; PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT ALL HEALTH CARE 
PRACTITIONERS OR HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE ADMINISTERING 
PRENATAL CARE SHALL EDUCATE ALL PREGNANT MOTHERS ON THE 
IMPORTANCE OF GIVING THEIR INFANTS THE BASIC IMMUNIZATION SERVICES 
AS WELL AS ANY POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF IMMUNIZATION.” 
SEC. 2. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be taken from the two and half percent (2.5%) allocation for the disease 
prevention program of the Department of Health (DOH) from the incremental revenues 
from the alcohol and tobacco excise taxes, as provided for under R. A. 9334. 
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include the basic 
immunization services in its benefit package when actuarial studies have determined its 
financial feasibility. 
SEC. 
3. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
presidential issuances, rules and regulations or any part thereof, which are inconsistent 
herewith, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall 
promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days 
after the approval of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - 
If, for any reason or reasons, any part or 
provisions of this Act shall be declared or held unconstitutional or invalid, other provision 
or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
effect. 
SEC. 
6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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