Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3703

H. No.

Introduced by Representative Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Health concems that are generally associated with women in the 21" century include,
but are not limited to, menopausal and peri-menopausal transition, cervical or breast cancer,
‘osteoporosis; and the issues on anti-aging, which includes the quest for longevity.

Hence, health assessment and annual or regular examination which are fundamental
parts of medical care and considered as vital in popularizing preventive practices should be
prioritized by the government. The concept is crucial as it endeavors to recognize risk factors
for diseases which would lead to proper identification of medical conflicts. Ideally, regular
assessment or examination should include screening, evaluation and counseling, as well as
immunizations based on age and risk factors.

‘A woman's annual visit for example to her doctor would provide her with an excellent
opportunity to be counseled about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing health risk

Through the years, it has been discovered that age and risk on women pertaining to
certain diseases vary in their level of seriousness and capacity to be treated. Thus, it is
imperative that the public, together with the medical world, to understand the importance of
preventive practice; thereby enabling at risk women of all ages, to seek medical assistance
at the earliest opportunity or even before that. In essence, the bill aims to facilitate increased
access to women health care by improving the their well-being and minimizing their
inclination to develop a particular disease or condition

The purpose of this bill is in accord with Article 2, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution
which provides;

*Sec.15. The Stale shall protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them.”


It is also the intention of this bill to raise public awareness on the importance of
health preventive practices. In the process, there would be a campaign that shall involve the
media in the dissemination of information as provided in Section 3 of the bill. Such will entail
the creation of a website to be maintained and updated by the Department of Health (DOH),
in consultation with private sector experts, or through a contract with a private entity
including a medical association or non-profit organization

Be that as it may, we can never quantify the role and importance of women in our
society. Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. ESTRELLITA “GING” B. SUANSING
1" District, Nueva Eci


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H. Res. No. 3709

Introduced by Representative Estrellita ‘Ging’ 8. Suansing

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WOMEN'S PREVENTIVE
HEALTH

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title, - This shall be known as the "Women's Preventive Health
Awareness Campaign Act."

SECTION 2. Women's Preventive Health Awareness Campaign. - The
Department of Health shall provide for the planning and implementation of a national public
outreach and education campaign to raise public awareness, including provider awareness,
‘of women's preventive health, Such campaign shall include the media campaign under
Section 3 and the website under Section 5 and shall provide for the dissemination of
information that —

‘A. describes the guidelines for women's preventive services, including
recommendations on cervical cancer prevention;

B. promotes well-woman visits for health assessments which include screenings,
evaluations, counseling, immunizations, and prenatal visits, as appropriate,

C. explains the women's preventive service programs of the government and other
preventive services that may be availed of from private health institutions;

SECTION 3. Media Campaign. - Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, as part of the campaign under Section 2, the Department of Health
shall establish and implement a national media campaign.


SECTION 4. Requirements of the Media Campaign. - The campaign implemented
under Section 3 -

‘A. shall disseminate information about the updated guidelines for women's
preventive services described in Section 2A, promote well-woman visits described in Section
2B, and provide information on the women's preventive services described in Section 2C.
and

B. may include the use of television, radio, Internet, and other commercial marketing
venues.

SECTION 5. Website. - As part of the campaign under Section 2, the Department of
Health shall, in consultation with private sector experts or through contract with a private
entity including a medical association or non-profit organization, maintain and update an
Internet website to provide information and resources about the updated guidelines for
women's preventive services described in Section 2A, promote well-woman visits, and
provide information on the women's preventive services described in Section 2C.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - Such sums as maybe necessary for the
implementation of this Act is hereby appropriated.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,