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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No: 15 2 3 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them." 
Thousands of infants each year are born with serious birth defects of the 
brain and spine, called neural tube defects. The most common of these are spin 
bifida, the incomplete closure of the spinal column and anencephaly, a fatal 
condition in which an infant is born with a severely underdeveloped brain and 
skull. 
Studies in the United States show that as many as 70 percent of neural 
tube birth defects could be preventeq if all women of childbearing age begin in 
consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, before pregnancy. Folic acid is a B 
vitamin found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, citrus 
fruits, and juices and in certain multivitamins capsules. 
Unfortunately, a majority of women are neither aware of this prevention 
opportunity, nor consuming the recommended daily amount. 
Hence, this bill seeks to provide a national folic acid education campaign 
in order to urge women to take the simple step to prevent neural tube defects. 
Foregoing premises considered, the immediate approval of this bill is 
earnestly solicited. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 15 2 3 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR A NATIONAL FOLIC ACID EDUCATION PROGRAM TO 
PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Tif/e. - This Act· shall be known as the "Folic Acid 
Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act". 
SEC. 2. Promotion Regarding Effects of Folic Acid in Prevention of 
Birth Defects -
(a) In General. - The Secretary of Health shall carry out a program (directly or 
through grants or contracts) for the following purposes: 
(1) 
To provide education and training for health professionals and the 
general public for purposes of explaining the effects of folic acid in 
preventing birth defects and for purposes of encouraging each 
women of reproductive capacity (whether or not planning a 
pregnancy) to consume on a daily basis a dietary supplement that 
provides an appropriate level of folic acid; 
(2) 
To conduct research with respect to such education and training, 
including identifying effective strategies for increasing the rate of 
consumption of folic acid by women of reproductive capacity; 
(3) 
To conduct research to increase the understanding of the effects of 
folic acid in preventing birth defects, including understanding with 
respect to cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart defects; and, 
(4) 
To provide for appropriate epidemiological activities regarding folic 
acid and birth defects, including epidemiological activities regarding 
neural tube defects. . 
(b) Consultations with Private Entities. - In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary may consult with appropriate public or private entities, including 
national non-profit private organizations, health professionals, and 
providers of health insurance and health plans. 


(c) Technical Assistance. - The Secretary may (directly or through grants or 
contracts) provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private 
entities in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a). 
(d) Evaluations. - The Secretary shall (directly or through grants or contracts) 
provide for the evaluation of activities under subsection (a) in order to 
determine the extent to which such activities have been effective in 
carrying out the purposes of the program under such subsection, including 
the effects on various demographic populations. Methods of evaluation 
under the preceding sentence may include surveys of knowledge and 
attitudes on the consumption of folic acid and on blood folate levels. Such 
methods may include complete and timely monitoring of infants who are 
born with neural tube defects. 
SEC. 3. Authorization of Appropriations. - Such sum as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be 
appropriated from the National Treasury. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 6. Eflectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,