SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1570
J d t l 'r o‘ tt’f f-. 
rl.iry
*17 AUG 29 All 57
RECEIVLD i:-.
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Cancer continues to be a serious public health concern in the Philippines. A 
recent Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) report estimated that one in every ten 
registered deaths in the country is attributable to cancer. New data from the 
Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society found that the Philippines has the 
highest prevalence of breast cancer among 197 countries. In 2013, cancer ranked 
3rd, in the list of top ten leading causes of adult mortality and morbidity; for child 
mortality and morbidity, cancer ranked 4th. As of 2012, the International Agency for 
Research on Cancer (lARC) estimated that in the Philippines, there were 269 new 
adult cancer cases every day—11 every hour. Moreover, there were at least 7 
Filipinos dying from cancer every hour. With the though some experts surmise that 
the actual case rates are in in fact much higher.
Cancer imposes immense burdens not just on patients, but also on their families 
and communities. Specifically, Cancer pushes Filipino families deeper into poverty. 
Cancer treatment costs are catastrophic and the economic burden is oven/vhelming, 
Social safety nets are limited, with patients and their families often spending on 
laboratory tests, medicines, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, food, 
temporary housing arrangements and transportation out of their own pockets. A 
2016 study of cancer patients showed that the mean out-of-pocket expenditure for 
cancer treatment, far exceeded their mean household income; 117 percent at 
baseline to 253 percent twelve months after, leading more than 56 percent of 
households into financial catastrophe.1 In some areas and with certain types of
Ngelangel et al (2016). Philippine Costs in Oncology Study.


cancer, abandonment or discontinuance of treatment can be as high as 75 per cent. 
These conditions are most observed among the poor marginalized sectors but occur 
even among the middle class.
Cancer also poses significant burdens on the country through our health care 
systems. Many of the preventable and premature deaths from adult or childhood 
cancers can be attributed to any of the following—low awareness of signs and 
symptoms of cancer; delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis; poor access to health 
facilities; limited health systems infrastructure for cancer treatment and car; limited 
number of trained health professionals for cancer-related services; weak or absent 
referral systems, patient pathways, accurate diagnosis, timely and optimal treatment, 
palliative care and pain management, survivorship follow up care, detection and 
management of late effects and rehabilitation. Global experts have asserted that 50- 
60% of cancer mortality in low-resource countries like the Philippines, could be 
avoided with country-specific strategies for prevention and treatment.
In short, the country is ill-prepared to provide proper cancer care. Absent any 
immediate intervention, it is likely to be further overwhelmed by an expected upsurge 
of new cancer cases.
Thus, the government must act to institutionalize an integrated, multi-disciplinary, 
multi sectoral, nationwide cancer control and management for all types of cancer, for 
all genders and ages. It needs to achieve a progressive and sustainable increase in 
its response capacity as well as build for expected future needs and requirements. It 
must scale up its investments in the different components and patient pathways of 
cancer control, to provide high-quality, adequately resourced, geographically 
distributed and connected networks of patient and family focused integrated cancer 
care services for the whole cancer care continuum.
In view of the foregoing, the enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1570
■ ■ 
'.rif,. ri- . • . ,
"17 
AUG 29 
A11 5 7
REG;''.',.:. .
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "National Integrated
2 
Cancer Control Act”.
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  The State is mandated to adopt an integrated
4 
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
5 
essential goods, health and other services available to all the people at affordable
6 
cost. Towards this end, and in view of the fact that cancer is a complex and
7 
catastrophic disease which is an urgent public health concern, the State shall
8 
support and expand efforts to strengthen integrative, multi-disciplinary, patient- and
9 
family-centered cancer control policies, programs, systems, interventions, and
10 
services at all levels of the existing health care delivery system. The State shall
11 
likewise improve survivorship from adult and childhood cancers, by scaling up
12 
essential programs and increasing investments for robust prevention of cancer,
13 
better screening, early detection, prompt and accurate diagnosis, responsive
14 
palliative care and pain management, timely and optimal treatment, effective
15 
survivorship care and late effects management and rehabilitation.


1 
The State shall make cancer treatment and care more equitable and affordable
2 
for all, even as it endeavors to increase support for the most vulnerable sectors of
3 
society, the under-privileged, sick, elderly, women, children, persons with disabilities,
4 
the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged.
5 
This law shall contribute to the country’s attainment of Sustainable Development
6 
Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages as
7 
well as to reduce premature mortality from cancer and non-communicable diseases
8 
by at least 1/3 by 2030. It is also pursuant to national commitments to the United
9 
Nations, that Member States should increase efforts to strengthen health systems at
10 
the national and local levels to ensure early diagnosis, accessible, affordable and
11 
high-quality care for all cancer patients as well as reduce risk factors for cancer
12 
through adequate policies and programs. Furthermore, it is aligned and supportive to
13 
the World Health Organization 2017 World Health Assembly resolution on Integrated
14 
Cancer Prevention, Control and Management which calls for strengthening and
15 
expanding national level actions and initiatives.
16 
SEC. 3. Rationale and Objectives. -  High mortality, premature, preventable
17 
deaths and related disabilities from cancer in both adults and children, are oftentimes
18 
attributed to late diagnosis, combined with poor access to care related to inadequate
19 
and uneven distribution of facilities, personnel, equipment and technologies, poor
20 
treatment compliance and high abandonment of treatment, primarily due to high out-
21 
of-pocket costs, unaffordable costs of treatment and medicines and prevalence of
22 
myths and misconceptions on cancer. These underscore the importance of
23 
institutionalizing a systematic, well-organized, well-coordinated, well-funded, patient-
24 
and family-centered, integrated cancer control program in all levels that shall:
25 
(a) Decrease overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancers;
26 
(b) Decrease incidence of preventable cancers in adults;
27 
(c) Prevent cancer relapse or recurrence and secondary cancers among people
28 
living with cancers and survivors;
29 
(d) Reduce inequities in timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care;
30 
(e) Increase support and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
31 
benefits to make cancer treatment and care more affordable;


1 
(f) Improve patients and families experience of cancer treatment and care;
2 
(g) Support cancer survivors to recover, effectively reintegrate and thrive; and
3 
(h) Eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer,
4 
survivors, and their families.
5 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act;
6 
(a) Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part
7 
of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms. One
8 
defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow
9 
beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of
10 
the body and spread to other organs, the latter process is referred to as
11 
metastasizing. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer. (WHO
12 
February 2015)
13 
(b) Cancer Burden -  Differences in the burden of cancer between different
14 
countries relates to cancer incidence, cancer mortality and prevalence of
15 
individuals with cancer. Cancer incidence is defined as the number of new
16 
cases in a defined population over a specific time period. Cancer prevalence
17 
represents the disease burden in a population at a specific time and is related
18 
to survival of individuals diagnosed with cancer.
19 
(c) Cancer Control aims to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of
20 
cancer and to improve the quality of life of cancer patients in a defined
21 
population, 
through 
the 
systemic 
implementation 
of evidence-based
22 
interventions along the continuum of care from prevention to end of life.
23 
(d) Cancer Diagnosis comprises the various techniques and procedures used to
24 
detect or confirm the presence of cancer. Diagnosis typically involves
25 
evaluation of the patient's history, clinical examinations, review of laboratory
26 
test results and radiological data, and microscopic and genotypic examination
27 
of tissue samples obtained by biopsy or fine-needle aspiration or blood
28 
samples obtained by blood extraction. (WHO Cancer Control Knowledge Into
29 
Action 2008)
30 
(e) Cancer Prevention:
31 
Primary Cancer Prevention refers to measures and interventions that shall
32 
decrease the likelihood or risk of an individual of acquiring cancer;
3


1 
Secondary Cancer Prevention involves the use of tests to detect a cancer
2 
before the appearance of signs or symptoms (screening) followed by prompt
3 
treatment;
4 
Tertiary Cancer Prevention involves diagnosis and treatment of clinical
5 
apparent disease.
6 
(f) Cancer Registry -  The cancer registry is a database that contains
7 
information about people diagnosed with various types of cancer. The registry
8 
shall require systematic collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and
9 
reporting of data on subjects with cancer. There are two main types of cancer
10 
registry - population-based and hospital-based cancer registries:
11 
1. Population-based cancer registries seek to collect data on all new
12 
cases of cancer occurring in a well-defined population. Usually, the
13 
population is that which is resident in a particular geographical region.
14 
As a result, and in contrast to hospital-based registries, the main
15 
objective of this type of cancer registry is to produce statistics on the
16 
occurrence of cancer in a defined population and to provide a
17 
framework for assessing and controlling the impact of cancer in the
18 
community. Thus, the emphasis is on epidemiology and public health;
19 
2. Hospital-based cancer registries are concerned with the recording of
20 
information on the cancer patients diagnosed and treated in a particular
21 
hospital. The main purpose of such registries is to contribute to hospital
22 
patient care by providing readily accessible information on the subjects
23 
with cancer, the treatment they received and its result. The data are
24 
used mainly for hospital administrative purposes and for reviewing
25 
clinical performance. These registries cannot provide measures of the
26 
occurrence of cancer in a defined population because it is not possible
27 
to define their catchment populations, that is, the populations from
28 
which all the cases arise.
29 
(g) Cancer Survivorship starts at the time of disease diagnosis and continues
30 
throughout the rest of the patient's life. Family caregivers and friends are also
31 
considered survivors. It has three distinct phases: living through, with and
32 
beyond cancer. (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
33 
(h) Cancer Treatment is the series of interventions, including psychosocial and
34 
nutritional support, surgery, radiotherapy, radio-isotope therapy, and drug
4


1 
therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biotherapeutics, immunotherapy,
2 
gene therapy, supportive therapyj, that is aimed at curing the disease or
3 
prolonging the patient's life considerably (for several years) while improving
4 
the patient's quality of life. (WHO Cancer Control Knowledge Into Action 2008)
5 
Some people with cancer shall have only one treatment. But most people
6 
have a combination of treatments.
7 
(i) Carer is anyone who provides care for a friend or family member.
8 
(j) Complementary and Alternative Medicine -  Alternative medicine is distinct
9 
from complementary medicine which is meant to accompany, not to replace,
10 
standard 
medical 
practices. 
Alternative 
medicine 
includes dietary
11 
supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage
12 
therapy, magnet therapy, and spiritual healing, not generally recognized by
13 
the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches.
14 
(k) Comprehensive Cancer Care Center (CCCC) model was initiated in the
15 
Unites States (Cancer Act 1971) and has been adopted across continents as
16 
a base for a networked approach to cancer 
care built on the fundamental
17 
premise that an integrated, highly functioning network, with different
18 
categories of cancer centers, equitably distributed geographically for easier
19 
patient access, shall more effectively and quickly address the multi-faceted
20 
challenges of cancer. CCCC 
has a focused 
program of work that is
21 
multidisciplinary and integrates cancer research, education, and clinical care
22 
to accelerate the control and cure of cancer.
23 
(I) Continuum of Care -  The continuum of cancer care includes risk
24 
assessment, primary prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment,
25 
survivorship, and end-of-life care. Palliative care and pain management are
26 
considered as an integral, cross cutting part of the 
continuum 
of 
care.
27 
Movement across the span of the cancer care continuum involves several
28 
types of needed care, as well as transitions between the types of care. Type
29 
refers to the care delivered to accomplish a specific goal, such as detection,
30 
diagnosis, or treatment. Transition refers to the set of interactions necessary
31 
to go from one type of care to another, such as from detection to diagnosis.
32 
Each type and transition in care is subject to influences at multiple levels that
33 
can facilitate or impede successful achievement.


1 
(m) Hospice care is a type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the
2 
palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and
3 
symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. Hospice care
4 
is part of palliative care particularly at the latter stage of cancer. The goal of
5 
the care at end of life is to help people die in peace, 
comfort, and dignity.
6 
(n) Management of late effects -  Long-term and late effects shall vary
7 
depending on the type and stage of cancer as well as the type of treatment
8 
given. But all the common cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy,
9 
surgery and hormone therapy) 
can cause both long-term and late effects;
10 
although not everyone who has cancer treatment shall have long-term or late
11 
effects. Management of these effects is needed.
12 
(0) Multidisciplinary care is an integrated (interdisciplinary) team approach to
13 
cancer care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all
14 
relevant treatment options and develop collaboratively an individual treatment
15 
plan for each patient. The multidisciplinary team includes professionals from
16 
different 
disciplines forming a 
team 
to 
implement 
multidisciplinary-
17 
interdisciplinary process to cancer management. The multidisciplinary care
18 
process involves the bringing of insights from different disciplines together,
19 
contributing to one plan of management for the patient.
20 
(p) Philippine Cancer Control Program (PCCP) refers to the program of the
21 
national government for the comprehensive and integrated control of cancer
22 
in the Philippines
23 
(q) Optimal treatment and care -  quality treatment care adherence to the
24 
standards of treatment and care based on evidence-based guidelines
25 
(r) Out-of-pocket expenditure -  any direct outlay by households, including
26 
gratuities and in-kind payments, to health practitioners and suppliers of
27 
pharmaceuticals, therapeutic 
appliances, and other 
goods and services
28 
whose primary intent is to contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the
29 
health status of individuals or population groups. It is a part of private health
30 
expenditure
31 
(s) Palliative Care is treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms caused by
32 
cancer. It can help people live more comfortably. Palliative care relieves
33 
suffering and improves quality of life for people of any age and at any stage in
34 
a serious illness, whether that illness is curable, chronic, life limiting or life-
6


1 
threatening. Relief from physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems can be
2 
achieved in over 90% of advanced cancer patients through palliative care.
3 
(ITHO February 2015)
4 
(t) Patient Navigation refers to individualized assistance offered to patients,
5 
families, and 
caregivers to help overcome health care system barriers and
6 
facilitate timely access to quality medical and psychosocial care. Cancer
7 
patient navigation works with a patient from pre-diagnosis through all phases
8 
of the cancer experience.
9 
(u) Patient Pathway is the route that a patient shall take from their first contact
10 
with the health worker, through referral, to the completion of their treatment. It
11 
also covers the period from entry into a hospital or a health care facility, until
12 
the patient leaves.
13 
(v) Premature Mortality refers to deaths that occur between the ages of 30 and
14 
70 (WHO).
15 
(w) Secondary Cancer may be used to refer to either a second primary cancer or
16 
to cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another (metastatic
17 
cancer).
18 
(x) Supportive Care -  Supportive care in cancer is the prevention and
19 
management of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. This includes
20 
management of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects across
21 
the continuum of the cancer experience from diagnosis, through anticancer
22 
treatment, to post-treatment care. Enhancing rehabilitation, secondary cancer
23 
prevention, survivorship and end of life care are all integral 
to Supportive
24 
Care. [Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) 2015]
25 
(y) Practical assistance refers to help on non-medical costs such as financial
26 
assistance, 
transient housing, transportation, food and nutrition, among
27 
others.
28 
(z) Notifiable Disease means a disease that, by legal requirements, must be
29 
reported to the public health authority when the diagnosis is made.
30 
)


1 
ARTICLE I
2 
Establishing the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Board and
3 
Strengthening the Cancer Program in the Disease Prevention and Control
4 
Bureau of the Department of Health
5 
SECTION 1. Composition of the National Integrated Cancer Control
6 
Advisory Board (NICCAB). -  The NICCAB shall be composed of the following;
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) who shall serve as the 
Chairperson or a designated representative, not lower than Assistant 
Secretary, as ex officio member. The Vice-Chair shall be elected by the non- 
ex officio members, from among themselves, and shall serve for a term of two 
(2) years;
The Director General of the Food and Drug Administration or a designated 
representative as ex officio member;
The President and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 
(PhilHealth) or a designated representative, as ex officio member;
The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 
or a designated representative, as ex officio member;
The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or a 
designated representative as ex officio member;
The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), or a designated representative as ex officio member;
The Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF), or a designated 
representative as ex officio member;
The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), or a 
designated representative as ex officio member;
The Secretary of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), or a 
designated representative as ex-officio member;
The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or a 
designated representative as ex officio member;
Three (3) members, in total, drawn from among the cancer-focused 
professional societies as later determined in the Implementing Rules and


1 
Regulations of this law, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines
2 
and shall serve for a term of 3 years, renewable every year, upon
3 
recommendation of the DOH Secretary:
4 
• 
Two (2) members, in total, drawn from the academe representing key
5 
disciplines of oncology as later determined by the Implementing Rules and
6 
Regulations of this law, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines
7 
and shall serve for a term of 3 years, renewable every year upon
8 
recommendation of the DOH Secretary; and
9 
• 
Two (2) members, in total, drawn from cancer-focused patient support
10 
organizations and advocacy network, to be appointed by the President of the
11 
Philippines and shall serve for a term of 3 years, renewable every year, upon
12 
recommendation of the DOH Secretary.
13 
The Cancer Program in the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH
14 
shall act as the secretariat for the NICCAB.
15 
SEC. 2. Roles and Functions. -  The State, through the DOH, shall establish a
16 
NICCAB to oversee the implementation of this law. The NICCAB shall recommend
17 
policies, programs and reforms that shall enhance synergies among stakeholders
18 
and ensure well-coordinated, effective and sustainable implementation of the
19 
provisions of this law. The NICCAB shall provide technical guidance, advice and
20 
support in planning, policy making, program development, development of good
21 
practice models, standard setting, stakeholder engagement, program monitoring,
22 
evaluation and assessment, strategic, programmatic and operational review. It shall,
23 
as necessary, create expert groups or technical working groups to assist the DOH to
24 
undertake any of the following key tasks:
25 
(a) Secure from government agencies and other stakeholders concerned,
26 
recommendations and plans on how their respective agencies could
27 
operationalize specific provisions of this Act. The Board shall consider and
28 
integrate sound recommendations in the implementing rules and regulations
29 
for this act;


1 
(b) Develop the National Integrated Cancer Control (NICC) roadmap with annual
2 
targets, 
priorities 
and 
performance 
benchmarks, 
for 
the 
effective
3 
institutionalization of integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs
4 
and services in the national and local health care system for the effective
5 
institutionalization 
of 
integrated 
cancer 
control 
strategies, 
policies,
6 
programs and services in the national and local health care system;
7 
(c) Develop integrated and responsive cancer control policies and programs
8 
tailored to the socio-economic context and epidemiological profiles of the
9 
Philippines and aimed at improving survivorship, making cancer care more
10 
accessible and affordable, expanding and enhancing cancer care to include
11 
the whole continuum of care, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary, patient-
12 
and family-centered care, and enhancing the well-being and quality of life of
13 
cancer patients and their families;
14 
(d) Develop, periodically update and promote, evidence-based treatment
15 
standards and clinical practice guidelines for all adult and childhood cancers,
16 
of all stages, including the management of late effects;
17 
(e) Develop innovative and cost-effective cancer care service models for
18 
effectively delivering integrated cancer care in the most appropriate settings
19 
and improving patient care flow from primary to tertiary care;
20 
(f) Develop clearly defined patient pathways and evidence-based standards of
21 
care for the network of cancer centers; that is. Comprehensive Cancer Care
22 
Centers, Specialty Care Centers, Regional Cancer Centers, Satellites and
23 
others, as deemed essential;
24 
(g) Set quality and accreditation standards for cancer-focused health service
25 
facilities, 
health 
care 
providers, 
medical 
professionals, 
allied 
health
26 
professionals, as well as, ethical cancer research;
27 
(h) Monitor and assess the implementation of prioritized packages of cancer
28 
services, for all ages and all stages of cancer, ensuring they are provided in
29 
an equitable, affordable and sustainable manner, at all levels of care; that is,
30 
primary to tertiary health care;
31 
(i) Develop mechanisms on improvement of core systems and processes related
32 
to availability and affordability of quality, safe, and effective medicines, not
33 
limited to those in the WHO List of Essential Medicines and the Philippine
34 
National Formulary, and to include vaccines, diagnostics for cancer,
10


1 
innovative medicines and technologies, and compassionate use protocols, as
2 
necessary;
3 
(j) Establish mechanisms and platforms for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder
4 
collaboration, coordination, and cooperation, especially in, health promotion,
5 
disease prevention, capacity development, education, training and learning,
6 
information and communication, social mobilization and resource mobilization:
7 
(k) Establish mechanisms and platforms for patient, family, and community
8 
engagement, especially on protection and promotion of the rights of patients,
9 
survivors and their families and their active involvement in multi-disciplinary
10 
patient care, patient navigation, and survivors’ follow-up care;
11 
(I) Strengthen linkages with local and international organizations for possible
12 
partnerships in treatment and management of challenging and rare cases,
13 
education, training and learning, advocacy, research, resource mobilization
14 
and funding assistance: and
15 
(m)Establish a system for program review, monitoring and evaluation, inclusive of
16 
financial aspects and submit an annual report to the Secretary of Health on
17 
the progress, accomplishments, implementation challenges encountered and
18 
recommendations for way forward.
19
The NICCAB shall meet quarterly or as the need arises.
20 
SEC. 3. Strengthening of the Human Resource Complement for the Cancer
21 
Program in the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH. -  In order
22 
to ensure that this law shall be effectively operationalized and implemented, the
23 
human resource complement of the cancer unit under the DOH shall be
24 
strengthened. A Director for Cancer Control shall be designated to provide
25 
operational leadership, undertake coordination with program stakeholders, and
26 
ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the program.
27 
ARTICLE II
28 
Optimizing Quality Health Care Systems for Cancer Control in All Levels
29 
SECTION 1. Strengthen Cancer Care Infrastructure and Other Resources. -
30 
The State, through the Secretary of Health, the Local Government Units and its
11


1 
instrumentalities, shall strengthen the capacity of public health systems and
2 
facilities, in the provision of services, in the cancer care continuum, through the
3 
following key activities, but not limited to:
4 
(a) Allocate adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation or
5 
upgrade, inclusive of technologies and equipment for use in cancer treatment
6 
and care (from diagnosis to rehabilitation):
7 
(b) Develop robust and effective patient referral pathways across levels of health
8 
service delivery;
9 
(c) Provide reliable supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related vaccines
10 
(HPV, Hepatitis B) to patients by ensuring that health facilities and local health
11 
centers, through coordination with local government units (LCDs), consistently
12 
have sufficient supply of essential medicines and vaccines;
13 
(d) Enhance and strengthen the oncology related competencies of health
14 
providers in all levels of care;
15 
(e) Establish clear standards and guidelines for patient care, psychosocial
16 
support, palliative care and pain management, and patient navigation;
17 
(f) Establish and strengthen community level of care for cancer patients, cancer
18 
survivors, and people living with cancer, of all gender and ages;
19 
(g) Ensure the proper recording, reporting and monitoring of cancer cases, of all
20 
gender and ages, in all levels of care;
21 
(h) Network and link-up with Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers, specialty
22 
centers, privately managed cancer centers and relevant health facilities and
23 
international institutions, for knowledge and resource sharing;
24 
(i) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the NICCAB.
25 
SEC. 2. Establishment of an Integrated, 
Robust, 
Well Connected,
26 
Accredited Network of Cancer Care Centers In Strategic Areas Of The Country.
27 
-  The State, through the Secretary of Health, and with assistance from NICCAB,
28 
shall develop standards to classify cancer centers, accredit and designate
29 
Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Specialty Centers, Regional Cancer Centers and
30 
satellites. The required diagnostic, therapeutic, research capacities and facilities,
31 
technical, operational and personnel standards for these centers shall be defined in
32 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this law.
12


1 
The Regional Cancer Centers shall have the following objectives and functions:
2 
(a) Provide timely and 
high-quality 
cancer 
services 
such
3 
as screening, diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive care and
4 
palliative care, survivorship follow-up care and re-integration, rehabilitation, to
5 
cancer patients of all gender and ages;
6 
(b) Establish as necessary, networks with both public and private facilities,
7 
to improve access, expand range of services, reduce costs and bring services
8 
closer to patients;
9 
(c) Provide and promote supportive care, palliative care and pain management,
10 
patient navigation, hospice care and other measures to improve the well-
11 
being and quality of life of cancer patients, people living with cancer, their
12 
families and carers;
13 
(d) Ensure there are separate units and facilities for children/adolescents with
14 
cancer and that they are not mixed with the general population;
15 
(e) Design 
and 
implement 
high-impact, 
innovative, 
and 
relevant 
local
16 
communications campaigns that are context and culture-sensitive, and
17 
aligned with national programs;
18 
(f) Undertake and support the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians,
19 
pharmacists, health officers, social workers, and other allied health
20 
professionals on evidence-based, good practice models for delivery of
21 
responsive, multi-disciplinary, integrated cancer services;
22 
(g) Address the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of cancer patients and
23 
survivors;
24 
(h) Adapt and promote evidence based innovations, good practice models,
25 
equitable, sustainable strategies and actions across the continuum of care;
26 
(i) Engage and collaborate with LGUs, private sector, philanthropic institutions
27 
and civil society organization to make available programs and services for
28 
practical assistance to cancer families and cancer survivors;
29 
(J) Promote and/or assist in ethical scientific research on matters related to
30 
cancer; and
31 
(k) Institutionalize and implement the comprehensive and integrated Philippine
32 
Cancer Control Program.
13


1 
SEC. 3. Strengthen the capacities of the Human Resources for Health in
2 
Cancer Care. -  The DOH, in collaboration with cancer-focused professional
3 
societies, LGU leagues and LGU-based health associations, academic institutions,
4 
human resources units of designated Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers (Centers
5 
of Expertise or Excellence), designated Specialty Cancer Centers, 
designated
6 
Regional Cancer Centers, civil society organizations, and the private sector shall
7 
create and implement competency-based learning packages, for all health care
8 
workers providing cancer care service and support at all levels of the healthcare
9 
delivery system. This continuing learning program shall include adoption and
10 
institutionalization of cost-effective, learner friendly, 
learning 
platforms and
11 
modalities, so as to broaden reach and accelerate enhancement of key
12 
competencies of health providers.
13 
SEC. 4. Strengthen Oncology-Related Academic Curricula Of Higher
14 
Educational Institutions (HEIs). -  Integration of cancer care brings with it
15 
increased demand for highly specialized and relevant expertise. Oncology-related
16 
health professionals need to adapt to rapid changes in standards of practice and
17 
further sharpen their expertise, gaining in-depth, disease-specific knowledge and
18 
learning how to collaborate effectively with other specialists in an integrated, multi-
19 
professional setting. CHED, in collaboration with DOH, PSC, HEIs, professional
20 
oncology societies, accrediting institutions and patient support organizations, shall
21 
undertake an assessment of current oncology-related academic curriculum and
22 
ensure that it meets local needs and global practice standards. It shall encourage
23 
HEIs to offer degree programs for high priority oncology related specializations as
24 
well as continuing education programs related to oncological treatment and care.
25
26
27
28 
29
SEC. 5. Establishment and Implementation of Regulatory and Accreditation 
Standards for Cancer Centers and Cancer Facilities, Both Public and Private. -  
This also covers stand-alone clinics that provide services to cancer patients, people 
living with cancers and survivors.
14


1 
ARTICLE III
2 
Enhancing Public Awareness on Cancer in Schools, Workplaces, and
3 
Communities and Creating a Supportive and Safe Environment in Various
4 
Settings
5 
SECTION 1. National Cancer Consciousness Month. -  The DOH, in
6 
collaboration with partners, shall lead in the celebration of National Cancer
7 
Consciousness Month every February of every year.
8 
SEC. 2. National Cancer Information Service. -  The State shall intensify
9 
provision of up-to-date, evidence-based information, as well as practical advice,
10 
support, and referral for cancer patients, people living with cancer, survivors, their
11 
families, carers, and caregivers. The service shall be provided through the existing
12 
DOH Call Center, website, help line or other platforms that may be developed,
13 
including that of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
14 
This shall increase cancer literacy and understanding of risk factors associated with
15 
cancers, help combat myths and misconceptions, as well as reduce the anxiety, fear,
16 
distress and uncertainty associated with cancer and/or a cancer diagnosis.
17 
SEC. 3. Health Education and Promotion in Schools, Colleges, Universities,
18 
and other Training Institutions. -  The DOH, in collaboration with partners, such as
19 
the CHED and Department of Education (DepEd), shall develop policies and provide
20 
technical guidance to academic institutions and administrators to: a) Promote and
21 
facilitate integration of age-appropriate key messages on cancer risk factors, early
22 
warning signs and symptoms of adult cancers and childhood cancers, cancer
23 
prevention and control, adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy diets, 
in their
24 
curriculum, health and wellness programs, and co-curricular activities; b) Undertake
25 
mainstreaming of practical supportive care and psychosocial support programs for
26 
people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family members, especially
27 
those who act as carers for cancer patients: and c) Adopt initiatives that shall
28 
minimize or eliminate stigma and discrimination in schools, colleges, and
29 
universities. For this purpose, funds shall be allocated for training of key staff, lead
30 
personnel and counselors.
15


1 
SEC. 4. Health Education and Promotion in the Workplace. -  The DOH, in
2 
collaboration with partners, such as the DOLE and Civil Service Commission (CSC)
3 
shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to employers, employees
4 
associations, and unions to; a) Promote and facilitate integration of key messages on
5 
cancer risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancers and
6 
childhood cancers , cancer prevention and control, adoption of healthy lifestyles and
7 
healthy diets, in their communication initiatives, health and wellness programs, and
8 
employee development programs: b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical
9 
supportive care and psychosocial support programs for people living with cancer,
10 
cancer survivors, and their family members; (c) Integrate appropriate cancer services
11 
in their health services and clinics; and d) Develop programs, 
initiatives or
12 
mechanisms that shall minimize or eliminate stigma and discrimination in the work
13 
place that is experienced by people living with cancer, survivors, and their families.
14 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police shall
15 
likewise be engaged and assisted by the DOH in collaboration with appropriate
16 
agencies.
17 
SEC. 5. Health Education and Promotion in Communities. -  The DOH, in
18 
collaboration with partners such as the DILG, League of Provinces, League of Cities
19 
and League of Municipalities, DOH Regional Offices, local cancer-focused patient
20 
support organizations and professional oncology societies, shall implement a locally
21 
based, multi-sectoral community response to cancer. This shall not be limited to
22 
information and cancer focused health education but shall include assisting cancer
23 
patients, people living with cancer, cancer survivors and their families in accessing
24 
community resources for cancer services and support for effectively coping and
25 
living with cancer. Gender and Development Funds and other appropriate local
26 
sources may be utilized for these purposes.
27 
DILG, in coordination with the Regional Offices and the DSWD, shall conduct
28 
age-appropriate cancer- focused health education and promotion for out-of-school
29 
youth.
30 
SEC. 6. Health Education and Promotion for Special Communities and
31 
Vulnerable Groups. -  The DOH shall collaborate with respective national
16


1 
government agencies in developing and conducting cancer-related information and
2 
education campaigns as well as providing much-needed services to under-privileged
3 
and marginalized population, such as but not limited to, inmates, indigenous people,
4 
workers in the informal sector, and internally displaced persons.
5
6
ARTICLE IV
Making Cancer Care and Treatment More Affordable
7
8 
9
10
11
12
SECTION 1. Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF). -  Every year, 
the State shall automatically appropriate the initial amount of Php30 billion to support 
the medical (diagnostics) and treatment assistance program. Funds for the CAF shall 
initially be drawn from the appropriations of DOH, DSWD, PCSO and PAGCOR. The 
amount may be adjusted according to macroeconomic variables and projected 
demand.
13 
SEC. 2. Expansion and Introduction of Innovative PhiiHealth Benefits for
14 
C a n c d ^ - PhiiHealth shall expand current benefits to include screening, detection,
15 
diagnosis, treatment assistance, palliative and supportive care, survivorship follow
16 
up care 
and rehabilitation, for all types and stages of cancer, in both adults and
17 
children. It shall also develop innovative benefit packages such as community-based
18 
models of care to improve cancer treatment journey and reduce costs of care; this
19 
may include, but not limited to, stand-alone chemotherapy infusion centers,
20 
ambulatory care, home-based palliative care and pain management, community
21 
based hospice facility.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
SEC. 3. Institutionalization of Social Protection Mechanisms For Cancer 
Patients, Persons Living With Cancer, Survivors, their Families and Carers. -  
The DOH, in close coordination with SSS, GSIS, PCSO, PAGCOR, DOLE, DSWD, 
and LGUs shall develop appropriate, easily accessible social protection mechanisms 
to support the needs of cancer patients, people living with cancer, survivors, their 
families and carers and to reduce, if not eliminate catastrophic costs of cancer, so as 
to reduce distress and ensure their well-being.
17


1 
ARTICLE V
2 
Ensuring Essential Medicines are Available, Accessible, Affordable and of
3 
Quality
4
5 
SECTION 
Facilitating Access to Cancer and Related Supportive Care
6 
Medicines. -  The DOH and other agencies (i.e. Food and Drug Administration,
7 
PhilHealth, Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc., Bureau of Customs, among others)
8 
shall implement reforms supporting early access to essential medicines and health
9 
technologies to ensure highest possible fighting chance of survival among people
10 
with cancer. This shall include facilitating quick access to drugs for compassionate
11 
use and developing a more responsive system for effectively addressing emergency
12 
cases.
13 
SEC. 2. Availability and Accessibility of Medicines for Palliative Care and
14 
Pain Management. -  The DOH shall lead in the provision and distribution of
15 
medicines for palliative care of cancer patients, such as but not limited to,
16 
analgesics, anesthetics, and opioids and shall be available and accessible in the
17 
community.
18 
SEC. 3. Misinformation on Cancer. -  False and misleading advertising and
19 
claims in any of the multimedia and/or promotional marketing of drugs, devices,
20 
agents or procedures without prior approval by the FDA and without the requisite
21 
medical and scientific basis, purporting to be a cure for cancer or a fail-safe
22 
prophylaxis against cancer, shall be prohibited.
23 
ARTICLE VI
24 
Creating a Supportive Environment for Persons Living with Cancer and Cancer
25 
Survivors
26 
SECTION 1. Designation of Persons Living with Cancer and Cancer Survivors
27 
as Persons with Disabilities. -  Persons Living with Cancer and Cancer Survivors
28 
shall be considered as persons with disabilities (PWDs), in accordance with Republic
29 
Act No. 7277, as amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
18


1 
SEC. 2. Rights and Privileges of Persons with Cancer and Cancer
2 
Survivors. -  The appropriate national government agency shall ensure that they are
3 
accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs, to wit:
4 
(a) DSWD shall provide assistance to persons with cancer and cancer survivors
5 
to ensure that their social welfare and benefits provided under Republic Act
6 
No. 7277, as amended, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, are
7 
granted: and
8 
(b) DOLE shall adopt programs that promote the availability of opportunities for
9 
work and employment of able-persons with cancer and cancer survivors.
10
11
12
13
14
SEC. 3. Promoting Non-Discrimination. -  The State and its instrumentalities 
shall ensure that people living with cancer and survivors of cancer have the right to 
freedom from discrimination with regards to access to and continued employment, 
conditions of employment, access to education, use of public facilities, and other 
social services.
15
16
ARTICLE VII
Establish National Cancer Registry and Surveillance
17 
SECTION 1. Establish National Cancer Registry and Surveillance System. -
18 
The DOH, through its Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB),
19 
Epidemiology Bureau (EB), Knowledge Management and Information Technology
20 
Service (KMITS), Health Facilities Services and Regulatory Bureau, Philippine
21 
Health Insurance Cooperation, and Philippine Cancer Society Inc., and other private
22 
organizations shall collaborate with other private organizations on the design and
23 
implementation of a national cancer registry and surveillance system covering all
24 
forms of cancer among adults and children to guide policy development and program
25 
decision making. The DOH shall undertake a review of the current population-based
26 
and hospital-based cancer registries towards establishing a comprehensive and
27 
harmonized national cancer registry and surveillance system compliant with the
28 
National Health Data Standards and Data Privacy Act of 2012 and that allows
29 
categorization by type of cancer and population groups including children.
19


1 
SEC. 
2. 
Strengthen 
Population-Based 
and 
Hospital-Based 
Cancer
2 
Registries. -  The DOH shall allocate resources to support the institutionalization of
3 
hospital-based cancer registry. Moreover, it shall conduct population-based cancer
4 
data collection on a regular basis or as necessary. Submission of cancer registry
5 
shall be a requirement for the renewal of license to operate of the hospital.
6 
SEC. 3. Notification on Cancer Cases. -  Adult and childhood cancer shall be
7 
considered as a notifiable disease in all levels of the health care system.
8
9
ARTICLE VIII
Research and Demonstration Projects
10 
SECTION 1. Research & Demonstration Projects. -  The DOH shall, directly or
11 
through grants to public or nonprofit private entities, perform the following activities:
12 
(a) Conduct basic and clinical research based on the health agenda to be
13 
developed by partners in the academe, health professional groups and other
14 
local health partners with possible support from foreign organizations;
15 
(b) Develop demonstration projects to generate evidence for responsive policies
16 
and to develop regional capabilities for the prevention, screening, detection,
17 
control, and management of cancer; and
18 
(c) Provide support for model centers to sustain their initiatives under
19 
subparagraphs (a), and (b); and
20 
(d) Collaborate with local and foreign organizations for partnership in various
21 
activities and in providing technical and funding support.
22
23
ARTICLE IX 
Final Provisions
24 
SECTION 1. Report. -  The Secretary of Health shall submit an annual report to
25 
the Committees on Health of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the
26 
activities carried out to comply with the provisions of this Act on or before June 30 of
27 
every year.
20


1 
SEC. 2. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
2 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the DOH, PCSO,
3 
PAGCOR, and DSWD. Thereafter, ten percent (10%) of the incremental revenues
4 
from the excise tax revenues on alcohol and tobacco products-collected by the
5 
government pursuant to Republic Act No. 10351 shall be earmarked for the
6 
implementation of this Act, among other tax revenues.
7 
SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The DOH, in consultation with
8 
its attached agencies (FDA, PhilHealth), DSWD, DOLE, DOF, DepEd, CHED,
9 
TESDA, SSS, GSIS, LGUs, private sector, professional cancer-focused societies,
10 
patient support organization and advocacy network representatives, academe, and
11 
other interest groups, shall issue the rules and regulations implementing the
12 
provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
13 
SEC. 4. Penalty Clause. -  Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
14 
Act or its Implementing Rules and Regulations shall, upon conviction by final
15 
judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more
16 
than two (2) years or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000) nor
17 
more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php200,000), or both at the discretion of
18 
the court. If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible
19 
therefor shall serve the imprisonment when imposed. If violation is committed by an
20 
alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence, without
21 
need of further proceedings.
22 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
23 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions which are not affected thereby shall
24 
continue to be in full force and effect.
25 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
26 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
27 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
28 
amended accordingly.
21


1 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
22