FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
391 
s. N(')._~~,-
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
, 
,~ 
Section 15 under Article II of the Constitution mandates that the State shall protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. In line with this, 
national awareness and local outreach programs are needed to encourage the public to seek and 
expect healthy housing, to think about housing hazards more comprehensively, to recognize 
problems, and to address them in a preventative, effective, and low-cost manner. 
Moreover, an expanded research on housing health hazards, spearheaded by the Department of 
Health, is essential as housing-related health hazards are often complex, with causes and 
solutions often not readily or immediately recognized by residents, property owners, or the 
general public. Evidence-based, cost-effective, practical, and widely accessible methods for the 
assessment and control of housing-related health hazards are necessary in order to prevent 
housing-related injuries and illnesses, including cancer, carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, falls, 
rodent bites, childhood lead poisoning, and asthma. 
Thus, this bill aims to: 
• 
raise awareness of infectious diseases like tuberculosis and respiratory diseases; 
• 
improve access to health and social services; and, 
• 
reduce the risk of housing-related health problems. 
Further, this bill seeks to emphasize cost-effective approaches and market-based incentives to 
make homes healthier and safer without detracting from their affordability. This proposed 
measure aims to improve research, enhance the capacity of government programs, and expand 
national outreach efforts. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
.~n, 1 
s. NO. _---'v"--"'-,}-""'---
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO IMPROVE RESEARCH ON HEALTH HAZARDS IN HOUSING, TO ENHANCE 
THE CAPACITY OF PROGRAMS TO REDUCE SUCH HAZARDS, TO REQUIRE 
OUTREACH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
1 
SECTION 1. Sltort Title.- This ACt may be cited as the "Research, Hazard Intervention. 
2 
and National:Outreach for Healthier Homes Act of2010". 
3 
SEC. 2. Defillitiolls.- In this Act, the following definitions shall apply: 
4 
(I) "Housing" means any form of residence, including rental housing, homeownership, group 
5 
home, or supportive housing arrangement. 
6 
(2) "Healthy Housing" means housing that is designed, constructed, rehabilitated, and 
7 
maintained in a manner that supports the health of the occupants of such housing. 
8 
(3) "Housing-Related Health J-Iazard" means any biological, physical, or chemical source of 
9 
exposure or condition either in, or immediately adjacent to, housing, that can adverseJi affect 
10 
human heallh. 
11 
ARTICLE II 
12 
RESEARCH ON HEALTH HAZARDS IN HOUSING 
13 
14 
SEC. 3. Health Effects of Housing-Related Health Hazards.-
1 


1 
(I) In General- The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) shall evaluate the health 
2 
effects of hO~lsing-related health hazards for which limited research or understanding of causes 
3 
or associations exists. 
4 
(2) Criteria- In calTying out the evaluation under Section (3) (I), the DOH Secretary shall--
5 
(a) determine the housing-related health hazards for which there exists limited 
6 
understanding of health effects; 
7 
(b) prioritize the housing-related health hazards to be evaluated; 
8 
(c) coordinate research plans in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts; and 
9 
(d) evaluate the health risks, routes and pathways of exposure, and human health effects 
10 
that result from indoor exposure to biological, physical, and chemical housing-related 
11 
health hazards, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, common 
12 
residential and garden pesticides, and factors that sensitize individuals to asthma. 
13 
14 
SEC. 4. Evidence-Bosed, Cost-EYfective Methods for Assessment, Prevention, Ami 
15 
Control of HOl/sillg-Related Health Hazards.-
16 
(I) In General- The Chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council 
17 
(HUDCC) shall, in consultation with the Director of the Environmental and Occupational Health 
18 
Office (EOHO), to implement studies by the Department of Health, of the assessment, 
19 
prevention, and control of housing-related health hazards. 
20 
(2) Study- The HUDCC Chairman, in consultation with other government agencies, shall initiate: 
21 
(a) for fiscal years 2011 through 2015, at least one (1) study per year of the methods for 
22 
asse~sment, prevention, or control of housing-related health hazards that provide for--
23 
(i) instrumentation, monitoring, and data collection related to such assessment or 
24 
control methods; 
25 
(ii) study of the ability of the assessment and monitoring methods to predict 
26 
health risks and the effect of control methods on health outcomes; and 
2 


1 
(iii) the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of such assessment or control 
2 
methods; and 
3 
(b) no fewer than four (4) studies, which may run concurrently. 
4 
(3) Criteria for Study- Each study conducted pursuant to Section (3)(2) shall, if the HUDCC 
5 
Chairman deems it scientitlcally appropriate, evaluate the assessment or control method in each 
6 
of the regions of the Philippines, including--
7 
(1) a hot, dry climate; 
8 
(2) a hot, humid climate; 
9 
(3) a cold climate; and 
10 
(4) a temperate climate (including a climate with cold winters and humid summers). 
11 
(d) Author!ty of the Chairman of HUDec- The HUDCC Chairman may award contracts or 
12 
interagency agreements to carry out the studies required under this section. 
13 
14 
SEC. 5. Study on Sustainable Building Features and Indoor Environmental Quality ill 
15 
Existing Housing.-
16 
(1) 111 General- The DOH Secretary and the HUDCC Chairman shall, in consultation with other 
17 
government agencies, conduct a detailed study of how sustainable building features, such as 
18 
energy efficiency, in existing housing affect the quality of the indoor environment, the 
19 
prevalence of housing-related health hazards, and the health of occupants. 
20 
(2) Contents- The study required under Section (5)(\) shall--
21 
(a) investigate the effect of sustainable building features on the quality of the indoor 
22 
environment and the prevalence of housing-related health hazards; 
23 
(b) investigate how sustainable building features, such as energy efficiency, are 
24 
influencing the health of occupants of such housing; and 
25 
(c) ensure that the effects of the indoor environmental quality are evaluated 
26 
comprehensively. 
3 


1 
SEC. 6. Data Collection On Housing-Related Health Hazards.-
2 
(1) Expansion of Monitoring- The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
3 
Resources (DENR) shall expand the current indoor environmental monitoring efforts in order to 
4 
establish baseline levels of indoor chemical pollutants and their sources, including routes and 
5 
pathways, in homes. 
6 
(2) f)ata Hvaluation and Collection System-
7 
(a) J)ala Evaluation- The NeDPe Director shall, in consultation with the HUDCC 
8 
Chairman and the DENR Secretary, determine the data and resources needed to establish 
9 
and maintain a healthy housing data collection system. 
10 
(b) j)ata Collection System-
11 
(i) In General- The NCDPe Director, based upon the needs determined under 
12 
Section (6)(3)(a), shall carry out the development and operation of a healthy 
13 
housing data collection system that--
14 
(A) draws upon existing data collection systems, including those systems at 
15 
other government agencies, to the maximum extent practicable; 
16 
(B) improves upon the ability of researchers to assess links between hOllsing 
17 
and health characteristics; and 
18 
(e) incorporates the input of potential data users, to the maximum extent 
19 
practicable. 
20 
(ii) Criteria- The data collection system required to be developed shalI--
21 
(A) pilot subject areas to evaluate for overall data quality and utility, level of 
22 
data collection, feasibility of additional data collection, and privacy 
23 
considerations; 
24 
(8) develop common assessment tools and integrated database applications 
25 
and, where possible, standardize analysis techniques; 
4 


1 
(C) develop mechanisms to facilitate ongoing multidisciplinary interagency 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
involvement; 
(D) create a clearinghouse to monitor potential data sources; and 
(E) develop public use datasets. 
CHAPTER II 
CAPACITY TO REDUCE HEALTH HAZARDS IN HOUSING 
9 
SEC. :7. Housing And Urban Development Coordinating Council Program Capacity 
10 
On Housing-Related Bellith HlIzards.-
11 
(1) In General- The HUDCC Chairman shall, in cooperation with other government agencies--
12 
(a) develop improved methods for evaluating health hazards in housing; 
13 
(b) develop improved methods for preventing and reducing health hazards in housing; 
14 
(c) support the development of o~iective measures for what is considered a 'healthy' 
15 
residential environment; 
16 
(d) evaluate the long-tenn cost effectiveness of a healthy housing approach; 
17 
(e) promote the incorporation of healthy housing principles into ongoing practices and 
18 
systems, including housing codes, rehabilitation specifications, and maintenance plans; 
19 
(f) promote the incorporation of health considerations into green and energy-efficient 
20 
construction and rehabilitation; 
21 
(g) promote the use of healthy housing principles in post-disaster environments, such as 
22 
the dissemination of information on safe rehabilitation and recovery practices; 
23 
(h) improve the dissemination of healthy housing information, including best practices, to 
24 
partners, grantees, the private sector, and the public; and 
25 
(i) promote national and local level healthy housing efforts, such as the collaboration of 
26 
national and local health, housing, and environment agencies, and the private sector. 
5 


1 
(2) Authority of the Secretary- The HUDCC Chainnan may award 
~lrants, contracts, or 
2 
interagency agreements to carry out the activities required under this section. 
3 
4 
SEC. 8. Ellvirollmelltal Protectioll Agellcy Program Capacity 011 Housillg-Related 
5 
1I ealtll H aZflrds.-
6 
(1) in General- The DENR Secretary shall address health hazards in the home environment, with 
7 
particular attention to children, the elderly, and families with limited resources. 
8 
(2) Required Actions of the Department of Natural Resources and Envirortment- The DENR 
9 
Secretary, in consultation with other relevant offices, shall--
10 
(a) monitor standards to ensure that these standards are protective of elevated risks faced 
11 
by children or the elderly; 
12 
(b) develop policies to address aggregate, cumulative, and simultaneous exposures 
13 
experienced by children and the elderly, with particular attention to hazards in the home 
14 
environment; 
15 
(c) coordinate healthy housing efforts across the DENR; 
16 
(d) promote the incorporation of healthy housing principles into ongoing practices and 
17 
systems, including the work of the national and local environmental departments in the 
18 
country; 
19 
(e) encourage and expand healthy housing educational efforts to partners, grantees, the 
20 
private sector, environmental professionals, and the public; and 
21 
(f) designate not less than one (1) representative per region, to coordinate children's 
22 
environmental health activities, including healthy housing effOlts, with national and local 
23 
environmental departments in the country. 
24 
25 
SEC. 9. Effective Trailling 011 Housing-Related Health Hazards.-
26 
(J) 7'raming- The DOH Secretary, acting through the NCDPC Director, shall--
6 


1 
(a) train lead poisoning prevention program staff in healthy housing principles; 
2 
(b) deliver training and technical assistance in the identification and control of housing-
3 
related health hazards to staff of national and local public health departments, health care 
4 
providers, other health care delivery systems and professionals, and community-based 
5 
organizations; and 
6 
(c) provide resources and incentives to national and local health departments to support 
7 
the wide availability of free or low-cost training to prevent and control housing-related 
8 
health hazards. 
9 
(2) Department of Agriculture-
10 
(a) Technical Assistance-
11 
(i) In General- The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall 
12 
establish a competitive grant program to promote education and outreach on 
13 
housing-related health hazards. 
14 
(ii) Eligible Applicants- The DA Secretary may award grants, on a competitive 
15 
basis, for education and extension services. 
16 
(iii) Criteria jar Grants- Grants under this subsection shall be awarded to address 
17 
housing-related health hazards through translation of the latest research into easy-
18 
to-use guidelines, development and dissemination of outreach materials, and 
19 
operation oftraining and education programs to build capacity at a local leveL 
20 
(b) h1Cpanded Training- The DA Secretary shall expand training and outreach activities to 
21 
include stmctural integrated pest management topics. 
22 
(c) Coverage Of Lead-Based Pamt And Other Health Hazards- The DA Secretary shall 
23 
ensure that food and nutrition subject matter content for adults and youth includes 
24 
effective information about preventing exposure to lead-based paint, pests, pesticides, 
25 
mold, and, where there is sufficient data, about preventing exposure to other biological or 
26 
chemical food safety hazards in and around the home. 
7 


1 
(3) Evaluation- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the NCDPC 
2 
Director and the DA Secretary shall evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the training programs 
3 
authorized under Section (9)( I) and prepare a report, the results of which shall be posted on the 
4 
website of each agency. 
5 
6 
SEC. 10. Enforcement of Lead Disclosure Rule.-
7 
(1) Authority qfthe DA Secretary-
8 
(a) fnvestigations- The DA Secretary is authorized to conduct such investigations as may 
9 
be necessary to administer and carry out his duties under this Act. The Secretary is 
10 
authorized to administer oaths and require by subpoena the production of docmnents, and 
11 
the attendance and testimony of witnesses as the Secretary deems advisable. 
12 
(b) Hnforcement- Any regular court in the Philippines within the jurisdiction of which an 
, 
13 
inquiry is carried, on application ofthe city prosecutor, may, in the case of contumacy or 
14 
refusal to permit entry under this section or to obey a subpoena of the DA Secretary 
15 
issued under this section, issue an order requiring such entry or such compliance 
16 
therewith. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a 
17 
contempt thereof. 
18 
19 
CHAPTER ill 
20 
EDUCATION ON HEALTH HAZARDS IN HOUSING 
21 
22 
SEC. 11. Healthy Home Seal Of Approval Program.-
23 
(I) Hstablishment- There is established within the DENR a voluntary labeling program to 
24 
evaluate consumer products intended for home use and housing materials to determine their 
25 
efficacy in fostering a healthy home environment. This shall be known as the Healthy Home Seal 
26 
of Approval. 
27 
(2) Duties-
8 


1 
(a) In General· The DENR Secretary shall, in consultation with the HUDCC Chairman 
2 
and the DOH Secretary -
3 
(i) promote the Healthy Home Seal of Approval for consumer products and 
4 
materials, and for criteria for housing as the preferred options in the marketplace 
5 
for achieving optimum indoor environmental quality and maximum occupant 
6 
health; 
7 
(ii) work to enhance public awareness of the Healthy Home Seal of Approval for 
8 
consumer products and materials, and for criteria for housing, including by 
9 
providing special outreach to small businesses; 
10 
(iii) conduct research and provide sound science and methods to evaluate 
11 
products, materials, and criteria for housing that preserves the integrity of the 
12 
Healthy Home Seal of Approval for consumer products and materials, and for 
13 
criteria for housing label; 
14 
(iv) regularly update the requirements for the Healthy Home Seal of Approval for 
15 
products and materials, and for criteria for housing; 
16 
(v) solicit comments from interested parties prior to establishing or revising a 
17 
Healthy Home Seal of Approval, including a change to a product category, 
18 
material category, specification, or criterion (or prior to effective dates for any 
19 
such product category, material category, specification, or criterion); 
20 
(vi) on adoption of a new or revised product category, material category, 
21 
'specification, or criterion in a Healthy Home Seal of Approval, provide 
22 
reasonable notice to interested parties of any changes (including effective dates) 
23 
in product categories, material categories, specifications, or criteria, along wlth--
24 
(A) an explanation orthe changes; and 
25 
(8) as appropriate, responses to comments submitted by interested 
26 
parties; and 
9 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
(vii) provide appropriate lead time (which shall be 270 days, unless the DENR 
Secretary specifies otherwise) prior to the applicable effective date for a new or a 
significant revision to a Healthy Home Seal of Approval, including a change to a 
product category, material category, specification, or criterion. 
6 
SEC. 12. Outreach On Health Hazards In Housing.-
7 
(1) In General- The DENR Secretary shall provide education and outreach to the general public 
8 
on the--
9 
(a) environmental health risks experienced by the elderly; and 
10 
(b) low-'cost methods for addressing such risks. 
11 
(2) Food Quality Protection-
12 
(a) In General- The HUDCC Chairman shall award funds for a Health Hazards Outreach 
13 
competitive grant program. 
14 
(b) Eligible Applicants- Eligible applicants for a grant under Section (I2)(2)(a) are 
15 
national nonprofit organizations, and national and local entities, including community-
16 
based organizations and government health, environmental, and housing departments. 
17 
(c) Eligible Actlvities- Funds awarded under this subsection may be used to--
18 
(i) document the need for healthy housing assessments or controls in a given 
19 
community or communities; 
20 
(ii) perform outreach and education with a community-level focus; and 
21 
(iii) develop policy and capacity building approaches. 
22 
(d) Collaboration with Local Institutions- Eligible applicants under this subsection are 
23 
encouraged to--
24 
(i) forge partnerships among national or local level government and nonprofit 
25 
entities; and 
10 


1 
2 
3 
(ii) improve the incorporation of healthy housing principles into existing State and 
local systems where possible. 
4 
SEC. 13. National Healtlly Housing Media Campaign.-
5 
(1) In Cieneral- The HUDCC Chairman, the DOH Secretary, and the DENR Secretary shall 
6 
establish and maintain a national healthy housing media campaign. 
7 
(2) Requirements Of Campaign- The HUDCC Chairman, the DOH Secretary, and the DENR 
8 
Secretary shall--
9 
(a) determine the design of the national healthy housing media campaign, including by--
10 
(i) identifying the target audience; 
11 
(ii) formulating and packaging unified messages regarding--
12 
(A) how best to assess health hazards in the home; and 
13 
(B) how best to prevent and control health hazards in the home; 
14 
(iii) identifying ideal mechanisms for dissemination; 
15 
(iv) distributing responsibilities and establishing an ongomg system of 
16 
coordination; and 
17 
(v) incorporating input from the target audience of the campaign; 
18 
(b) carry out the operation of a national healthy housing media campaib'11 that--
19 
. (i) draws upon existing outreach and public education efforts to the maximum 
20 
extent practicable; 
21 
(ii) provides critical healthy housing information in a concise and simple manner; 
22 
and 
23 
(iii) uses multiple media strategies to reach the maximum number of people in the 
24 
target audience as possible; and 
25 
(c) evaluate the performance of the campaign, including by--
26 
(i) tracking the accomplishments of the campaign; 
11 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
(ii) identitying changes in healthy housing awareness, healthy housing activities, 
and the healthy housing conditions among the target audience of the campaign; 
(iii) assessing the cost-effectiveness of the campaign in achieving the goals of the 
campaign; and 
(iv) preparing a final evaluation report within one (1) year of the close of the 
campaign, the results of which shall be posted on the website of each such 
,agency. 
9 
SEC. 14. Auth{)rizati{)n {)f Appr{)prillti{)ns.- The amount necessary to carry out the 
10 
provisions of this Act shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act. Funds 
11 
appropriated for this Act shall remain available until expended. 
i2 
13 
SEC.IS. Repealing Clause. Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and regulations which 
14 
are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby amended or repealed. 
15 
16 
SEC, 16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
17 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
12