FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF TFE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
Expianatory Kate 
Section 15 of Article I1 under the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Unfortunately, recent data proved otherwise. According to a report from the Department of 
Science and Technology in 2008, thousands of women in the Philippines are diagnosed with 
some form of gynecologic cancer each year and it is estimated that about one-third of them will 
succumb to their disease.’ This is a national tragedy magnified by the fact that the most 
common gynecologic cancers - ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer - have five-year survival 
rates exceeding 90% when diagnosed at their earliest stages. 
Because early detection and treatment often mean the difference between life and death, it is 
important to increase awareness of the factors that put certain women at a higher risk of 
.gvnecological cancer. Because symptoms of such are vague and non-specific, women and 
their physicians often attribute them to more common conditions so that by the time the 
disease is diagnosed the cancer has often spread. 
Aithough deveiopment of a screening test to detect aii these forms ai gynecoiogicai cancer 
remains a very active area of research, currently there is no definitive prevention strategy, 
but having regular examinations may decrease the overall risk of dying from cancer, It is 
widespread and sustained effort to increase awareness of gynecologic c.anr,er among the 
general public. While gynecologic cancers are often asymptomatic, awareness can lead to early 
detection and successful treatment. 
c!eer!y 
in the interest nf arlvenc,ing ?he p.!b!iC 
hea!th fnr this state tn rnmmit itself tn a 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ES N 
SenatoI 
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FOURTEENTHCONGRESSOFTHE 
) 
, 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
9 JdN -1 
ma 25 
SENATE 
/ 
s. NO. 
..I 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
- A N  
__ . - A C T  
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ESTABLISHING A GYNECOLOGIC CANCER PUBLIC EDUGATIBN AND 
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enucteedby the Senute and House OfRepresentatives of the Philippines in Congpess 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short title.- This act shall be known and may be cited as the 
“Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act.” 
SEC. 2. Establislzrnent of a public education and awareness campaign.- The 
Department of Health (DOH) shall establish a public education and awareness campaign to 
inform the general public about the clinical significance of gynecologic cancer and its public 
health implications, including, at a minimum, the risk factors, symptoms, need for early 
detection, and methods of treatment associated with gynecologic cancer 
SEC. 3. Functions of the campaign.- For the purposes of the public education and 
awareness campaign, the DOH Secretary shall, at a minimum: 
1. provide for the development of printed educational materials and public service 
announcements in English and Spanish; 
2. disseminate information for distribution to the public through such entities as the 
commissioner determines most appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Act, including, 
but not limited to, local health agencies and clinics, physicians, health care facilities, county 
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offices on aging, pharmacies, libraries, senior citizen centers, and other community-based 
outreach programs and organizations; 
3. post such information on the official Internet website of the DOH; and 
4. take such other actions as the commissioner deems appropriate to enhance public 
awareness of gynecologic cancer among inembers of the general public. 
SEC. 4. Appropriations.- There is appropriated three million pesos (Php 3 M) from 
the General Fund to the DOH lo carry out the public education and awareness campaign 
pursuant to this act. 
SEC. 5. Repenling c~nu5e.- Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and regulations 
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby amended or 
repealed. 
SEC. 6. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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