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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO., 664

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike’ D.L. Tan _

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
TUBERCULOSIS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10767 OR THE
“COMPREHENSIVE TUBERCULOSIS ELIMINATION PLAN ACT”

This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10767 otherwise known as the “Comprehensive
Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act”, which was enacted in 2016 to support and expand efforts to
eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem in the country.

Albeit the law is barely being implemented, there is a compelling need to strengthen the
same in light of the approval of the Political Declaration on the Fight Against Tuberculosis (TB)
which was endorsed at the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on TB by the heads of state and
government and their representatives

The first UN HLM on TB on 26 September 2018 in New York under the theme “United to
end tuberculosis: an urgent global response to a global epidemic’ is a tremendous and
unprecedented step forward by governments and all partners engaged in the fight against TB. It
aims at accelerating efforts in ending TB and reaching all affected people with prevention and
care and follows on from a very successful Ministerial Conference on Ending TB in Moscow on
16-17 November 2017 which resulted in high-level commitments from Ministers and other leaders
from 120 countries to accelerate progress to end TB

Five years later. the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held the second UN HLM
on TB on 22 September 2023 with the theme “Advancing science, finance and innovation, and
their benefits, to urgently end the global tuberculosis epidemic, in particular by ensuring equitable
access to prevention, testing, treatment and care’, to reaffirm its commitment to end the
tuberculosis epidemic by 2030, and review progress achieved in realizing the 2018 political
declaration of the high-level meeting of the UNGA on the fight against tuberculosis.

The Philippines as fourth in the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world after India,
China and Indonesia, is signatory to the Political Declaration on the Fight Against Tuberculosis.
It has committed to end the TB epidemic by 2030 as envisioned in the Agenda 2030 of the
Sustainable Development Goals. The country has affirmed its commitment to:

a. Ensure adequate social protection measures for our indigent TB patients through multi-
sectoral approach with the engagement of other government agencies, the private sector
and other stakeholders:

b. Accelerate efforts to improve access to rapid TB diagnostic tools, introduce new TB
treatment regimens enhance the logistics management system, adopt cutting-edge digital
tools, and guarantee adequate and competent health human resources;

cc Fast-track progress towards timely, quality, universal access to tuberculosis services in
both high- and low-burden countries. as outlined in the End TB Strategy;

d. Mobilize sufficient, adequate, predictable and sustainable financing from all sources for
universal access to quality tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care;

e Safeguard tuberculosis services as essential health services during humanitarian and
health emergencies and in conflict settings, as these people may face heightened
tuberculosis infection, risk of treatment interruption and limited access to quality health-
care services, nutritious food and information that is language and culture sensitive;


f Increase international cooperation to advance TB research and innovation, including by
fostering, coordinating and funding collaborative research, supporting transparent and
rapid reporting for clinical trials and their resuits, promoting data sharing, encouraging
open innovation approaches, voluntary licensing and technology transfer on mutually
agreed terms;

g. Promote access to affordable medicines, including generics, for scaling up access to
affordable tuberculosis treatment, including the treatment of multidrug-resistant and
extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis;

h. Integrate within primary health care, including community-based health services, the
systematic screening, prevention, treatment and care of TB and for related health
conditions, using a people-centred, approach, to improve equitable access to quality,
inclusive, affordable health services with effective referral systems to other levels of care;

i. Support the WHO Multisectoral Accountability Framework for tuberculosis by establishing
or strengthening high-level multisectoral accountability and review mechanisms, in line
with national contexts, with the meaningful engagement of people and communities
affected by tuberculosis, and to strengthen national review of progress aligned to agreed
national and global tuberculosis targets,

j. Ensure better health outcomes, a more responsive health system, and a more equitable
health care financing; and

k. Forge partnerships in the areas of effective referral system development to ensure
continuum of care, prevent discrimination, and development of drug resistance and TB
research networks establishment and expansion

In light of this development, there is a need to strengthen R.A. 10767, considered as one
of the most comprehensive laws on TB in the world, in order to enable the country to keep track
of its commitment to develop a national strategic plan to find and treat over two (2) million Filipinos
with TB in the next five (5) years.

One of the recommendations of the Joint Tuberculosis Program Review 2016 is to enforce
the notification of TB cases, especially on the part of private doctors. Section 12 of R.A. 10767
mandates that “All public and private health centers, hospitals and facilities shall *.... notify the
DOH of all TB cases as prescribed under the Manual of Procedures of the National TB Program
and the Philippine Plan of Action on Tuberculosis Control.”

Moreover, the 2024 National TB Prevalence Survey (NTPS), shows that in the Philippines,
despite increased efforts in diagnosis through expanded GeneXpert machines. portable chest X-
rays. and innovative logistics (like STRiders), around one-third of TB cases remain undetected or
untreated, with nearly 100,000 patients either misdiagnosed or lost to follow-up. Multidrug-
resistant TB (MDR-TB) also poses a growing threat, accounting for about 7% of the global MDR-
TB burden.

Given the current gaps in the program, notification of TB cases and the expansion of TB
DOTS benefit package are crucial provisions in the implementation of R.A. 10767. Unfortunately,
the law, while providing for notification on TB cases, does not provide for appropriate sanctions
or incentives that would effectively deter non-compliance

Hence, this proposal, which was approved by the House and transmitted to the Senate
during the 18th Congress, seeks to amend R.A. 10767 by providing fines and penalties for non-
compliance to the "No prescription, No anti-TB drugs” policy and non-observance of the national
protocol on TB management and TB notification. It also expands PhilHealth’s benefit package for
‘TB patients to include TB screening, MDR TB, and XDR TB, in both adults and children

Among the other significant features of the bill, are provisions on patients’ rights and
responsibilities, corporate social responsibility to encourage business corporations to contribute
in the ongoing efforts to reduce the incidence of TB in the country; convergence of services to
address the problem of indirect costs borne out of accessing TB treatment including
transportation, accommodation or halfway house and meals, among others; TB Strategic Plan for
local government units; integration of TB services into established Service Delivery Networks
(SDNs) or local health referral system, and inclusion of TB-DOTS treatment as one of the
requirements for the conditional cash transfer program.


Also included are provisions for personnel complement, alternative financing schemes,
and other sources of funds in order to ensure sufficient and sustainable financing for the country's
commitment to end the TB epidemic by 2030.

In view of the expediency of attaining the vision of a world free of TB, the immediate

approval of this measure is earnestly sough
MoT
Keithfficah “Atty Mik Tan

4" District, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no,_664

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
TUBERCULOSIS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10767 OR THE
“COMPREHENSIVE TUBERCULOSIS ELIMINATION PLAN ACT”

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

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10767 is hereby amended, to read as follows.

“SEC. 8 Education Programs. ~ The [Secretary-ot Health] CHAIRPERSON OF
THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), in coordination with the
[Commission-on-Higher- Education {CHED)] SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH (DOH), shall encourage the faculty of schools of medicine, nursing or medical
technology and allied health institutions, to intensify information and education programs,
including the development of curricula, to significantly increase the opportunities for
students and for practicing providers to learn the principles and practices of preventing,
detecting, managing and controlling tuberculosis.”

SEC. 2. Section 9 of the same Act is hereby amended, to read as follows:

‘SEC. 9. Inclusion in Basic Education. - The Secretary of [Health] THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DepEd), in coordination with the Secretary of the
{Department-of Education {DepEd)} DOH, shall [work-for] ENSURE the inclusion of
modules on the principles and practices of preventing, detecting, managing and controlling
tuberculosis (TB) in the [health Jum-of- every public and private elementary-and-high
school] BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM.”

SEC. 3. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended, to read as follows:

“SEC. 10. Media Campaign. - The [Secretary-of Health] DIRECTOR - GENERAL
OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY (PIA), in coordination with the [Philippine
Information-Agency{PIA)] SECRETARY OF THE DOH, shall encourage local media
outlets to launch A MASSIVE, NATIONWIDE, CONSISTENT AND SUSTAINED media
campaign on tuberculosis control, treatment and management, using all forms of
multimedia and other electronic means of communication

°Xxx ood XXX,
SEC. 4. A new section denominated as Section 12-A of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 12-A. TUBERCULOSIS (TB) NOTIFICATION COMMITTEE. —- ADULT
AND CHILDHOOD TB SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE IN ALL
LEVELS OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. ANY HOSPITAL OR CLINIC WHICH
DIAGNOSES A PATIENT WITH TB SHALL REPORT THE SAME TO THE DOH. THE
DOH SHALL PROVIDE THE FORM AND MANNER FOR THE REPORTING OF TB
CASES.

TO ENSURE THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANDATORY NOTIFICATION
POLICY OF TB CASES IS OBSERVED AND ENFORCED, A TB NOTIFICATION
COMMITTEE SHALL BE ORGANIZED IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH


CENTERS, HOSPITALS AND FACILITIES. IT SHALL BE COMPOSED OF MEMBERS
AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE DOH.

ALL TB NOTIFICATION COMMITTEES SHALL SUBMIT REGULAR TB
NOTIFICATION COMPLIANCE REPORTS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DOH REGIONAL
COORDINATING COMMITTEES, WHICH SHALL MAKE A CONSOLIDATED TB
NOTIFICATION COMPLIANCE REPORTS TO THE DOH NATIONAL COORDINATING
COMMITTEE.”

SEC. 5. Section 13 of R.A. No. 10767 is hereby amended, to read as follows’

“SEC .13. PhilHealth TB Package — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation,
otherwise known as the Philhealth, shall, as far as practicable, expand its benefit package
for TB patients to include new, relapse and retur-after-default cases, [and-extension-of
treatment], MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS (MDR TB), AND
EXTENSIVELY DRUG RESISTANT TB (XDR TB), FOR BOTH ADULTS AND
CHILDREN. THE DEVELOPMENT OR EXPANSION OF ANY PHILHEALTH BENEFIT
SHALL UNDERGO A PROPER, TRANSPARENT AND STANDARDIZED
PRIORITIZATION SETTING PROCESS, SUCH AS HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
ASSESSMENT AND ACTUARIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY TO AVOID INEQUITABLE
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.”

"Xxx XK Xxx."
SEC. 6. A new section denominated as Section 14 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

‘SEC. 14. TB REGISTRY AND MONITORING SYSTEM. - THE DOH, IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS,
SHALL ESTABLISH A TB REGISTRY AND MONITORING SYSTEM WHICH SHALL
COVER ALL FORMS OF TB AMONG ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THE POPULATION-
BASED TB REGISTRY SHALL CONTAIN DATA ON ALL NEW CASES OF TB
ACCORDING TO GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS, PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR
ASSESSING AND CONTROLLING THE IMPACT OF THE DISEASE AND SHALL
SERVE AS A REGULAR FEEDBACK OR NOTIFICATON SYSTEM TO REFERRING
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE TB REGISTRY SHALL FORM PART OF THE
ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS REQUIREMENT OF THE DOH IN ACCORDANCE
WITH NATIONAL HEALTH DATA STANDARDS AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10173,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012”.

EVERY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH CENTER, HOSPITAL AND HEALTH
FACILITY, INCLUDING CLINICS, SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN THEIR OWN
INTERNAL TB REGISTRY WHICH SHALL COVER ALL TYPES OF TUBERCULOSIS.
THE TB REGISTRY SHALL RECORD THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF TB
PATIENTS, TB TYPE, TREATMENT RECEIVED AND THE RESULTS AND OTHER
DATA THAT THE DOH MAY PRESCRIBE. THE REGIONAL COORDINATING
COMMITTEES SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL FACILITIES WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE
JURISDICTIONS HAVE A TB REGISTRY. ALL INFORMATION IN THE TB REGISTRY
SHALL BE TREATED WITH UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY AND SHALL NOT BE
RELEASED TO THIRD PARTIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DATA PRIVACY ACT.
THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN A TB REGISTRY AND
SUBMISSION SHALL BE A REQUIREMENT FOR THE RENEWAL OF A LICENSE TO
OPERATE A HEALTH CENTER, HOSPITAL OR HEALTH FACILITY.”

SEC. 7. Anew section denominated as Section 15 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:
“SEC. 15. TB PATIENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. —
A. A PERSON WITH TB SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:
(1) THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED HUMANELY AND WITH RESPECT FOR THE

INHERENT DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE DELIVERY OF
SERVICES WITHOUT STIGMA, PREJUDICE OR DISCRIMINATION;


(2) THE RIGHT TO FREE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TB CARE FROM THE
TIME OF DIAGNOSIS TO COMPLETION OF TREATMENT;

(3) THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ADVICE AND TREATMENT THAT
MEETS INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR TB CARE, CENTERING ON
PATIENT NEEDS, INCLUDING THOSE OF PATIENTS WITH XOR-TB, MDR-
TB OR TB-HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) COINFECTION,
AND PREVENTIVE TREATMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND OTHER
CONSIDERED TO BE AT HIGH RISK;

* (4) THE RIGHT TO BENEFIT FROM PROACTIVE HEALTH SECTOR
COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EDUCATION AND PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS
AS PART OF COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS;

(5) THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF
HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR TB AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES,
ENGAGEMENTS AND DIRECT OR INDIRECT COSTS INVOLVED;

(6) THE RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY RELATING TO THE MEDICAL
CONDITION WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO NOTIFY TB CASES AS PROVIDED
UNDER THIS ACT;

(7) THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE
DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
OF TB POLICIES AND PROGRAMS WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES;

(8) THE RIGHT TO JOB SECURITY, AFTER DIAGNOSIS OR APPROPRIATE
REHABILITATION AND UPON COMPLETION OF TREATMENT;

(9) THE RIGHT TO NUTRITIONAL SECURITY OR FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
NEEDED TO MEET TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS;

(10) THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE ALL CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC,
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS RESPECTING INDIVIDUAL QUALITIES,
ABILITIES AND DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND WITHOUT ANY
DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY, AGE,
GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE, COLOR, LANGUAGE, CIVIL
STATUS, RELIGION OR ETHNIC OR SOCIAL ORIGIN OF THE TB PATIENT
CONCERNED AS RECOGNIZED IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND
POLITICAL RIGHTS, THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC,
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS; AND

(11) THE RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION,
REASONABLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS AND RESTORATION TO
WORK UPON CERTIFICATION FROM THE COMPANY BY A TB-DOTS
PHYSICIAN.

B. A PERSON WITH TB SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

(1) TO PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE TO HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS ABOUT THEIR PRESENT HEALTH CONDITION, PAST
ILLNESSES AND OTHER RELEVANT DETAILS;

(2) TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT
CONTACTS WITH IMMEDIATE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OTHER PERSONS
WHO MAY BE VULNERABLE TO TB OR WHO MAY HAVE BEEN
INFECTED;


(3) TO FOLLOW THE PRESCRIBED AND AGREED TREATMENT REGIMEN
AND TO CONSCIENTIOUSLY COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN
TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AND THOSE OF OTHER PERSONS;

(4) TO INFORM HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS OF ANY DIFFICULTY OR
PROBLEM IN UNDERGOING OR COMPLETING THE PRESCRIBED
TREATMENT, OR IF ANY PART OF THE TREATMENT IS NOT CLEARLY
UNDERSTOOD;

(5) TO CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY WELL-BEING BY ENCOURAGING
THOSE WHO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF TB TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE;

(6) TO SHOW CONSIDERATION FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHER PATIENTS
AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS THE
DIGNIFIED BASIS AND RESPECTFUL FOUNDATION OF THE TB
COMMUNITY;

(7) TO SHOW MORAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER
PATIENTS WHO ARE ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY AND CURE;

(8) TO SHARE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED DURING
TREATMENT AND TO SHARE THIS EXPERTISE WITH OTHERS IN THE
COMMUNITY, THUS EMPOWERING OTHERS; AND

(9) TO JOIN IN EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY AND TB-FREE
COMMUNITIES.”

SEC. 8. A new section denominated as Section 16 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 16. PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION. - THE DOH SHALL
ENCOURAGE THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE NATIONAL
TB ELIMINATION PROGRAM, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE PRIVATE CORPORATIONS,
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) AND NON-GOVERNMENT
ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) AND SUCH OTHER GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS,
BOTH FOREIGN AND LOCAL, THAT MAY WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.”

ALL BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISHED AND OPERATING UNDER
PHILIPPINE LAWS, WHETHER DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN, ARE ENCOURAGED TO
CONTRIBUTE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE
INCIDENCE OF TB IN THE COUNTRY BY CONDUCTING TB-PREVENTION OR
OTHER PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND EARLY
DETECTION OF TB AS PART OF THEIR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(CSR) PROGRAMS. THE DOH SHALL GIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION AND
REWARDS TO ALL BUSINESS ORGANIZATION FOR OUTSTANDING, INNOVATIVE
AND WORLD-CLASS CSR-RELATED SERVICES FOR TB ELIMINATION.”

SEC. 9. A new section denominated as Section 17 of the same Act is added, to read as follows

SEC. 17. CONVERGENCE OF TB SERVICES. - EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNIT (LGU) SHALL HAVE A TB STRATEGIC PLAN TO BE INITIATED BY ITS LOCAL
HEALTH BOARD AND APPROVED BY ITS SANGGUNIAN. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE
LOCAL HEALTH BOARD AT THE PROVINCIAL, CITY, MUNICIPAL OR BARANGAY
LEVEL, SHALL ASSIST THE CORRESPONDING SANGGUNIAN IN THE CRAFTING
OF TB LOCAL ORDINANCE AND BUILDING LOCAL OWNERSHIP FOR TB
INTERVENTIONS WITHIN ITS TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.

THE LGUs, THROUGH THEIR LOCAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICES, SHALL COVER ALL INDIRECT COSTS OF ACCESSING
TB TREATMENT, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, ACCOMMODATION OR
HALFWAY HOUSE, AMONG OTHERS. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE


AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) MAY HELP DEFRAY THESE EXPENSES THROUGH
THE CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) SHALL
REQUIRE ALL PRIVATE WORKPLACES TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POLICIES ON
TB PREVENTION, WHICH SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
NATIONAL LAWS AND POLICIES, PREVENTION STRATEGIES THROUGH
ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND TRAINING. MEASURES TO IMPROVE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE WORKPLACE SHALL
BE EMPHASIZED.

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC) SHALL REQUIRE ALL
GOVERNMENT WORKPLACES TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POLICIES ON TB
PREVENTION, WHICH SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
NATIONAL LAW AND POLICIES, PREVENTION STRATEGIES THROUGH
ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND TRAINING. MEASURES TO IMPROVE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE WORKPLACE SHALL
BE EMPHASIZED.

THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(TESDA) SHALL IMPLEMENT A NON ~ DISCRIMINATORY APPROACH IN DEALING
WITH CLIENTS SUFFERING FROM TB AND SHALL INCORPORATE TB
AWARENESS IN THE TRAINING PROGRAM OF ITS TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION (TVET) INSTITUTIONS THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF RELEVANT
SEMINARS FOR ALL ITS STUDENTS. THE TESDA SHALL ESTABLISH FOCUS
GROUPS FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE AFFLICTED WITH THE DISEASE.

THE DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
SHALL DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR
TB VICTIMS AND THEIR AFFECTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.”

SEC. 10. A new section denominated as Section 18 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 18. SERVICE DELIVERY NETWORK (SDN). — THE DOH, THROUGH ITS
REGIONAL OFFICES, AND IN COORDINATION WITH LGUs, SHALL INTEGRATE
AND STRENGTHEN THE PROVISION OF TB SERVICES INTO ESTABLISHED SDNs
OR LOCAL HEALTH REFERRAL SYSTEM, WHICH SHALL NOT BE RESTRICTED
WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC OR POLITICAL BOUNDARIES OF LGUs.
COLLABORATION ACROSS LGUs SHALL BE ENCOURAGED.

THE SDN SHALL BE A NETWORK OF FACILITIES RANGING FROM
BARANGAY HEALTH STATIONS (BHS), RURAL HEALTH UNITS (RHUs), DISTRICT
AND/OR CITY HOSPITALS, TO THE PROVINCIAL AND/OR DOH-RETAINED
HOSPITALS. THE DOH AND LGUs MAY ENGAGE PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES OR
PROVIDERS TO FORM PART OF THE SDN.”

SEC. 11. A new section denominated as Section 20 of the same Act is added to read as follows:
“SEC. 20. SCREENING FOR HIGH RISK POPULATION. — AS A POLICY, TB
SCREENING SHALL BE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR HIGH RISK POPULATIONS

AND MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

(A) THOSE THAT ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH PERSONS KNOWN OR
SUSPECTED TO HAVE TB;

(B) THOSE INFECTED WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND.
ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS);

(C) THOSE WHO ARE SMOKERS OF CIGARETTES AND USERS OF ILLEGAL
DRUGS;


SEC.

SEC.

SEC.

SEC.

(D) THOSE WHO INJECT ILLICIT DRUGS OR ARE USERS OF OTHER
LOCALLY IDENTIFIED HIGH-RISK SUBSTANCE;

(E) THOSE WHO HAVE MEDICAL RISK FACTORS, SUCH AS DIABETES AND
OTHER COMPARABLE DISEASES, KNOWN TO INCREASE THE RISK
FOR DISEASE WHEN INFECTION OCCURS;

(F) RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF HIGH-RISK CONGREGATE
SETTINGS;

(G) HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO SERVE HIGH-RISK CLIENTS;

(H) INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS EXPOSED TO ADULTS IN
HIGH-RISK CATEGORIES; AND

(I) SUCH OTHER PERSONS AS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE SECRETARY
OF HEALTH

THE ROUTINE TB SCREENING TEST SHALL FORM PART OF THE NORMAL
STANDARD OF CARE OFFERED IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER OR NOT THE
PATIENTS EXHIBIT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF UNDERLYING TB INFECTION OR
HAS OTHER REASONS FOR PRESENTING TO THE FACILITY.

THE DOH SHALL ENSURE ACCESS TO ROUTINE TB SCREENING TESTS AS
PART OF CLINICAL AND MEDICAL CARE IN ALL HEALTHCARE SETTINGS AND
FACILITIES.

12. A new section denominated as Section 21 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 21. INTEGRATION OF TB SCREENING IN HIV AND AIDS PREVENTION
AND CONTROL. - SYMPTOMATIC TB SCREENING AND TB PREVENTIVE THERAPY
OF ALL PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS WITHOUT TB SYMPTOMS SHALL
BE PROVIDED AS PART OF THE DELIVERY OF HIV AND AIDS RELATED
SERVICES.

13. A new section denominated as Section 22 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 22. PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES FOR TB-DOTS. - TO ENHANCE AND.
MAXIMIZE THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN TB
CONTROL, ALL PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES ARE MANDATED TO SEEK
ACCREDITATION FROM PHILHEALTH AS TB-DOTS PROVIDER.”

14. A new section denominated as Section 23 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 23. CONTACT TRACING AND PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT. —
SCREENING BY CHEST X-RAY SHALL BE INITIATED AMONG ALL CONTACTS OF
AN INDEX CASE WITH BACTERIOLOGICALLY-CONFIRMED OR CLINICALLY
DIAGNOSED PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN ORDER TO OFFER PREVENTIVE
TREATMENT WHEN NECESSARY TO THOSE WITH LATENT TB INFECTION,
FOLLOWING PRESCRIBED GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS.”

15. A new section denominated as Section 24 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

"SEC. 24. PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT. - TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, THE DOH SHALL ENSURE THAT THERE SHALL
BE ADEQUATE COMPETENT AND QUALIFIED STAFF AND ALLIED
PROFESSIONALS WHO SHALL EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF
THE TB ELIMINATION PROGRAM. THE FORMULATION OF QUALIFICATION
STANDARDS OF THE STAFF COMPLEMENT MUST BE DONE PURSUANT TO CIVIL
SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE SECRETARY OF THE DOH SHALL


SUBMIT THE PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFFING MODIFICATION TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM) FOR REVIEW AND
APPROVAL.

ALL DOH EMPLOYEES AND STAFF INVOLVED IN TB ELIMINATION
PROGRAM SHALL PARTICIPATE IN CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS AND
ACTIVITIES TO BOOST COMPETENCE AND SKILL PROFICIENCY.”

SEC. 16. A new section denominated as Section 25 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

‘SEC. 25. MOBILIZATION. - THE DOH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE LGUs
AND OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PRIVATE SECTOR, CIVIL
SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND TB PATIENTS’ GROUPS, SHALL SPEARHEAD
THE MOBILIZATION OF KEY AFFECTED POPULATION FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
CAMPAIGNS AND STIGMA REDUCTION ACTIVITIES. TB PATIENTS' GROUPS
SHALL BE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT THEM.”

SEC. 17. A new section denominated as Section 26 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 26. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING SCHEMES. - THE DOH IS HEREBY
MANDATED TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE FINANCING SCHEMES, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), AND TO ENTER
INTO CONTRACTS WITH ANY PRIVATE HOSPITAL OR HEALTH FACILITY UNDER
THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) APPROACH TO STRENGTHEN AND
EXPAND THE PROVISION OF TB DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT SERVICES
NATIONWIDE.”

SEC. 18. A new section denominated as Section 27 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

“SEC. 27. TAX EXEMPTION. - ALL GRANTS, BEQUEST, ENDOWMENTS,
DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THE DOH TO BE USED ACTUALLY,
DIRECTLY AND EXCLUSIVELY BY THE DOH FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF
CONTRIBUTING TO TUBERCULOSIS ERADICATION ACTIVITIES SHALL BE
EXEMPT FROM DONOR'’S TAX AND THE SAME SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS
ALLOWABLE DEDUCTION FROM THE GROSS INCOME OF THE DONOR FOR
PURPOSES OF COMPUTING THE TAXABLE INCOME OF THE DONOR IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED.”

SEC. 19. A new section denominated as Section 28 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

‘SEC. 28. OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS. - THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
SHALL PRIORITIZE THE OUTSOURCING OF FUNDS FOR THIS ACT THROUGH
NEGOTIATION AND UTILIZATION OF LONG-TERM CONCESSIONAL OFFICIAL
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA), OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS SUCH AS.
GRANTS, DONATIONS, COLLECTIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE
FROM LOCAL AND FOREIGN DONORS OR OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES
AND OTHER PRIVATE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SOURCES MAY BE
TAPPED AND FACILITATED BY THE DOH TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH SERVICES
UNDER THIS ACT, SUBJECT TO THE REGULAR ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES: PROVIDED, THAT IN CASE OF DONATIONS
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES, ACCEPTANCE THEREOF SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
EXISTING GOVERNMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS.”

SEC. 20. A new section denominated as Section 29 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

SEC. 29. JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON THE
ELIMINATION OF TB (JCOC-ETB). - THERE IS HEREBY CREATED A JCOC-ETB
WHICH SHALL CONDUCT A REGULAR REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS ACT. THE JCOC-ETB SHALL CONDUCT A SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION OF THE
PERFORMANCE, IMPACT, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE


PHILIPPINE PLAN OF ACTION TO ELIMINATE TUBERCULOSIS AND THE VARIOUS
AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE TB ELIMINATION PROGRAM, PARTICULARLY WITH
RESPECT TO THEIR OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS.

THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SHALL BE
COMPOSED OF FIVE (5) MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE AND FIVE (5) MEMBERS.
FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BE APPOINTED BY THE SENATE
PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
RESPECTIVELY. THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SHALL
BE JOINTLY CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
HEALTH AND DEMOGRAPHY AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH.”

SEC. 21. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 30.

SEC. 22. Section 15 of R.A. 10767 is hereby renumbered as Section 31 and amended, to read
as follows:

“SEC. [48] 31. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to [implement] CARRY
OUT the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the CURRENT YEAR
appropriations of the CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES [ ’
the-GHED-and_the-PIA-under the General-Appropriations Act]. IN ADDITION TO, AND
CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTRY’S COMMITMENT TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT AND
SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO END THE TB EPIDEMIC, PARTICULARLY
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL STRATEGIC PROGRAM TO LOCATE AND
TREAT OVER TWO MILLION FILIPINOS INFLICTED WITH TB IN THE NEXT FIVE (5)
YEARS, AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE DOH, IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE DOF AND THE DBM, SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION
OF THE DOH: PROVIDED, THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO IMPLEMENT
THE PROGRAM SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE PERCENT (1%) OF THE PROGRAM
cost.”

SEC. 23. A new section denominated as Section 32 of the same Act is added, to read as follows’

‘SEC. 32. SUNSET PROVISION. - TWO (2) YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVITY
OF THIS ACT, CONGRESS, THROUGH THE JCOC-ETB, SHALL CONDUCT A
“SUNSET REVIEW” OF THE MANDATED APPROPRIATIONS WHICH SHALL ENTAIL
A SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION OF SUCH APPROPRIATION TO DETERMINE
WHETHER OR NOT ITS PERFORMANCE, IMPACT, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH
RESPECT TO THE TB ELIMINATION GOAL MERITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE.”

SEC. 24. A new section denominated as Section 33 of the same Act is added, to read as follows:

‘SEC. 33. PENALTIES. — THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION
(PRC) SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND THE LICENSE TO PRACTICE
ANY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL FOR ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ACT.

THE CSC SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND FROM PUBLIC
OFFICE A CIVIL SERVANT WHO IS FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT.

IF THE OFFENSE IS COMMITTED BY A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HEALTH
FACILITY, INSTITUTION, AGENCY, CORPORATION OR OTHER JURIDICAL ENTITY
DULY ORGANIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER OR SUCH OTHER OFFICER IN CHARGE SHALL
BE LIABLE. IN ADDITION, THE BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSE TO OPERATE OF
THE CONCERNED FACILITY, INSTITUTION, AGENCY, CORPORATION OR LEGAL
ENTITY SHALL BE SUSPENDED ACCORDINGLY.”

SEC. 25. A new section denominated as Section 34 of the same Act is added to read as follows:

‘SEC. 34. TRANSITORY PROVISION. - THE PENALTIES CONTEMPLATED IN
SECTION 33 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED ONLY AFTER EFFICIENT AND


MASSIVE TRAINING AND ORIENTATION FOR PHYSICIANS AND ALLIED HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS AND A FRAMEWORK AND SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 11
ON THE REGULATION ON SALE AND USE OF TB DRUGS AND SECTION 12 ON TB
CASES NOTIFICATION OF R.A. 10767 HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED: PROVIDED, THAT
‘SUCH PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY THE YEAR 2025.”

SEC. 26. Section 16 of RA 10767 is hereby renumbered as Section 35 and amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in consultation
with the DepEd, the CHED, the PIA, the LGUs, non-government organizations, CSOs,
BROADCAST MEDIA, PRINT MEDIA and other concerned entities, shall issue the rules
and regulations [implementing] TO IMPLEMENT the provisions of this Act within ninety
(90) days from its effectivity.”

SEC. 27. Section 17, 18 and 19 of the same Act are hereby renumbered as 36, 37, and 38
respectively.

SEC. 28. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved