FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Introduced by Senator Vilar 
ExDlanatorv Note 
Per statistics, the Philippines has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in 
Asia. It is considered to have the ninth highest incidence rate in the world today. 
Breast cancer remains to be the biggest fear of women and men. 
As in other 
countries, breast cancer is the leading killer of women ages 35 to 54. And all women are 
at risk. Approximately, seventy percent (70 'YO) of breast cancer occurs in women with 
none of the known risk factors. On the other hand, out of the 100 people who will get 
breast cancer. one will be male. 
Whilst it is a known fact that breast cancer is treatable but may not be curable, its 
early detection is the best cure for the illness. It is for this reason that this legislation is 
submitted and among its significant highlights: 
1. 
It establishes a Center for Breast Cancer Control and Prevention and it 
shall be the institutional mechanism dedicated in the prevention, continuing research, 
control, advisory, funding modern and updated cliical studies, and assisting patients 
diagnosed with breast cancer and its treatment; 
2. 
It shall be the at the public forefront of breast cancer awareness campaign 
together with various sectors including women's 
group, 
non-governmental 
organizations, foundations, 
peoples' association, 
local government units and 
communities and private sector partners; 
3. 
It mandates the acquisition of facilities that may help patients including 
but not limited to mammography screening, 
clinical breast examinations, breast 
ultrasound and MRI, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. 
Considering its urgency as breast cancer is an a l d g  health malake, early 
recognition of this policy measure is earnestly sought. 


7 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
( 
/;[ \' --{j p j ' 1  
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SENa% 
S.B. 1 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
AN ACT 
CREATING A CENTER FOR BREAST CANCER CONTROL AND 
PREVENTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. 
Declaration of Policy. The State hereby guarantees the delivery of 
basic health services to the citizens in honour of the people's fundamental right to health 
and instilling health consciousness among them. 
To this end, a program that will raise awareness, support research, provide 
comprehensive assistance and beat breast cancer is ordained under this Act. 
Section 2. 
Creation of the Center for Breast Cancer Control and Prevention. 
A Center for Breast Cancer Control and Prevention is hereby created. The Center shall 
be an institutional mechanism dedicated in the prevention, continuing research, control, 
advisory, funding modern and updated clinical studies, and assisting patients diagnosed 
with breast cancer and its treatment. 
It shall be the at the public forefront of breast cancer awareness campaign 
together with various sectors including women's group, 
non-governmental 
organizations, foundations, 
peoples' association, 
local government units and 
communities and private sector partners. 
The Center shall be an adjunct office in the Philippine General Hospital and shall 
maintain key centers in Visayas and Mindanao. The PGH and the key centers shall have 
facilities including but not limited to mammography screening, 
clinical breast 
examinations, breast ultrasound and MRI, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, advanced 
cancer detection technology, and surgery. 
The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director. 
The administrative and 
research staff shall be detailed from the existing personnel of the Department of Health, 
the PGH, other government health institutions and hospitals without prejudice to the 
designation by the Center of such medical staff, professionals and members as it may 
deem necessary for the proper discharge of its functions and responsibilities. 
Section 3. 
Cooperation and Support. The Center may, in the performance of 
its functions, request the cooperation, assistance and support of appropriate government 
agencies, institutions and hospitals and non-governmental organizations and private 
sector partners involved in early detection, control, treatment and prevention of breast 
cancer. 


Section4. Appropriations. The sum of one hundred million pesos (Php 
100,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the functions of the Center under this 
Act. Thereafter, the sum needed for the operation, maintenance, continuing studies, 
acquisition of facilities and equipment and those which may be given as financial 
assistance to patients shall be included as additional fund in the annual appropriation of 
the Philippine General Hospital. 
Section 5. 
Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 6. 
Separability Clause. 
If any part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and 
operational. 
Section 7. 
Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,