TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
s. No. 2fin
25
1-8 P5 :31
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution underscores the State's 
responsibility to protect and promote the health rights of its citizens while fostering 
health awareness among them.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that 
impacts millions globally, including Filipinos. Despite its prevalence, lupus is often 
misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leading to delays in treatment and increased rates 
of morbidity and mortality. While there is no definitive cure for SLE at present, effective 
management can be achieved through medical interventions and lifestyle 
modifications.
Research1 shows that the lack of national data registries, combined with an 
over-reliance on available institutional records, complicates efforts to gauge the true 
burden of SLE in the Philippines. Additionally, there is a noticeable absence of local 
clinical practice guidelines. The management of SLE within the Philippine healthcare 
system mirrors broader systemic issues, with diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care 
often proving to be prohibitively expensive for many individuals.
1 Raphael, J., Genquen Philip Carado, Luke, C, Victoria, M., & Gaddi, A. (2025). The current state of systemic lupus 
erythematosus care in the Philippines: a narrative review. Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. 
https://doi.Org/10.4078/jrd.2025.0032


There is a pressing need for further research into the diagnosis, treatment, and 
prognosis of SLE within the Philippine context. A comprehensive understanding of the 
true burden of the disease will pave the way for targeted, population-based 
interventions.
The proposed legislative measure aims to enhance public awareness and 
disseminate information regarding SLE, alongside fortifying research and development 
efforts to support the management and treatment of this condition. Increased 
awareness is anticipated to foster understanding, facilitate early detection, and 
promote timely intervention, which are crucial in mitigating symptoms. This initiative 
seeks to establish safe, equitable, and effective strategies to address the burden of 
lupus in the Philippines.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR
Co


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 260
25 JUL-8 P5 31
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC 
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Lupus
2 
Management and Treatment Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness
5 
of the health programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to empower
6 
citizens suffering therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, independent,
7 
self-reliant, and productive members of society.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act. "Systemic Lupus
9 
Erythematosus" (SLE) or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune
10 
disease where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in
11 
inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, but most often
12 
affecting the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous
13 
system, as diagnosed by a competent medical practitioner.
14 
Sec. 4. National Survey and Research. - The National Institute of Health (NIH)
15 
of the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the
16 
extent and total incidence and prevalence of persons with SLE in the country for the


1 
government to provide the necessary health interventions to address the needs faced
2 
by persons with lupus.
3 
Sec. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned
4 
Research Agencies. - Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the
5 
DOH shall ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research
6 
agenda and that of pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies
7 
addressing the issue of lupus.
8 
Sec. 6. Nationai Program for Lupus Management and Treatment - The DOH
9 
shall implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus management and
10 
treatment with the following objectives:
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a) to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, screening, and
12 
diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus;
13 
b) to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues
14 
concerning lupus;
15 
c) to establish sustainable support network for families of persons diagnosed
16 
with lupus;
17 
d) to provide referral services to patients for appropriate educational and
18 
medical expertise and to identify appropriate education or medical facilities
19 
suited to the needs of patients;
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e) to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions for the conduct
21 
of research activities pertaining to the disease;
22 
f) to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and stereotyping of
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afflicted persons;
24 
g) to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on issues relating to
25 
early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with
26 
lupus; and
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h) to network with other organizations, institutions, and professionals working
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on public programs for persons diagnosed with lupus.
29 
Sec. 7. Programs and Service for Lupus Management and Treatment - The
30 
programs and services that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be
31 
limited to, the following:
32 
a) orientation and counseling services for families of newly diagnosed persons;


1 
b) establishment of national and regional referral services where the DOH shall
2 
maintain an updated list of health care institutions and practitioners concerned
3 
with the treatment of lupus;
4 
c) publish a newsletter on current developments and research on lupus, as well
5 
as other reading materials on the early detection, management, and treatment
6 
of lupus, and best practices for the care of diagnosed persons;
7 
d) conduct of continuing education and training programs on the proper care of
8 
diagnosed persons; and
9 
e) establishment of a databank and an information and monitoring system on
10 
country-specific statistics pertaining to lupus.
11 
Sec. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. - The Philippine Health
12 
Insurance Corporation shall include the cost of early detection and screening programs
13 
for lupus as one of the available benefits to its members. The early detection and
14 
screening test fees shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow-
15 
up, and readable overhead expenses.
16 
Sec. 9. Donations and Grants. - The DOH, NIH, and other departments of
17 
the DOH that may thereafter be tasked with the implementation of this Act shall
18 
have the power to receive donations and grants from local and international donor
19 
institutions, foundations, and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws
20 
and rules on the receipt, accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied
21 
with.
22 
Sec. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. - In order to grow national interest
23 
and participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May
24 
shall annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week." This week-long activity
25 
will be spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies,
26 
institutions, and stakeholders.
27 
Sec. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service
28 
Providers on Lupus Management and Treatment - All DOH staff and health
29 
providers providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo
30 
a mandatory continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of
31 
up-to-date and relevant services.


1 
Sec. 12. Protection Against Forcibie Administration of Medicai Treatment or
2 
Enroiiment in Programs. - All persons administering treatment, counseling, or
3 
medication as well as all persons involved in the implementation of the DOH
4 
programs as mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to
5 
determine for himself or herself the medical treatment to be administered as well
6 
as the programs wherein he or she will participate, if any.
7 
Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
8 
of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations
9 
of the DOH.
10 
Sec. 14. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from
11 
the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary
12 
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
13 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
14 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are
15 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
16 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
17 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected
18 
shall remain in full force and effect.
19 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
20 
its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,