Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1512

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate local government units, communities, households,
business establishments and schools to participate in the nationwide program against
Dengue. Given that the disease is preventable, this bill seeks to provide a community-
based prevention and control in endemic areas, and strengthens existing policies that
are already being implemented by the DOH and local government units (LGUs)

The DOH has reported 70, 204 dengue cases as of September 10, 2011. This
data has decreased by around 25%-50% in the past year depending on the season.
This significant reduction is attributable to the concerted efforts of all the stakeholders,
especially local governments and communities,

However, according to the Department of Health (DOH), Dengue Hemorrhagic
Fever has remained as one of the major health problems during the rainy season and is
prevalent in urban centers where population density is high, and where solid waste
collection and water supply and storing is inadequate. Prevalence of dengue is also
attributable to the fact that countries in the tropics and sub-tropics, such as the
Philippines, are the most vulnerable to Dengue. It is an all-year round disease and a
threat to public health.

The efforts of DOH and local government units are admirable as they have
already significantly reduced dengue cases. However, since most transmission happen
among family members and inside the homes, where breeding places of the mosquitoes,
are most of the time overlooked, this bill engages private individuals, households, and
establishments in the participation to effectively eliminate dengue.

Furthermore, because there is still no vaccine against Dengue, policies should
focus on preventive measures which includes, but are not limited to, cleanliness of
surroundings, personal hygiene, awareness of symptoms, and active reporting of
possible incidence of dengue, which in general, are ways to prevent mosquito bites
Policies should also include early recognition and prompt support treatment that can
lower the risk of acquiring the full-blown disease.

This bill not only encourages maintaining clean surroundings but mandates pro-
active participation of both private and public sectors and provides penalty to violators


In view of the above circumstances, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly
sought



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1512

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL AND ELIMINATION OF DENGUE,
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Dengue Act":

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people. Towards this end, a system for the control
prevention of the spread, and eventual eradication of dengue shall be provided

Section 3.National Dengue Prevention and Control Program. - It is hereby
mandated that there shall be a National Dengue Prevention and Control Program to be
implemented by a multi-agency/multi-sectoral committee chaired by the National Center
for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health. The program shall be a
multi-agency effort in controlling and eliminating Dengue in the country. Among its
component activities include: (1) institutionalization of regular clean-up drives including
search and destroying mosquito breeding sites and fogging in barangays, schools, and
government offices; (2) encouragement of awareness and self-protection and
prevention programs; (3) provision of consultation at the nearest health centers; and (4)
conduct of information and education campaign on the prevention and control of
Dengue. The program shall be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) and Department of Education (DepEd), as well as the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA), Local Government Units (LGUs) with the assistance of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) and People's Organizations (POs).

Sec. 4. Responsibilities of Households and Establishments — All households and
establishments shall be required to:

(a) Dispose, empty, seal, store under a roof containers that are usually filled with
rainwater such as discarded tires, bottles, broken appliances, garbage, paint
cans;

(b) Cover, maintain in good condition, clean containers or repiace water for
containers that are usually filled with water by people such as drums,
aquariums, ponds, fountains, animal feeding bowls, and pools;


4

(c) Keep surroundings and areas of responsibility clean and remove puddles of
water;

(4) Maintain in good condition and supply with running water fountains, and other
artificial or ornamental water containers;

(e) Advice water authorities of broken water-meters, tanks, and pipelines

(f) Conduct fogging if practicable;

(g) Report to the doctor and the nearest health center if any household member and
employee has any of the symptoms of Dengue;

(h) Implement other preventive actions that the Department of Health may provide:

Section 5. Responsibilities of Government Agencies. - The following government
agencies, which shall jointly implement the National Dengue Prevention and Control
Program, shall be tasked to:

A. Department of Health:

(1) Improve and upgrade existing laboratory diagnostic capabilities to ensure better
services to the people

(2) Ensure the availability and adequate supply of medications at all times

(3) Stimulate the development, improvement and implementation of new strategies
and interventions to improve our understanding of dengue progression and
pathogenesis;

(4) Design projects and studies to help identify ways to better describe the impact of
dengue infections, reduce intra-household spread of dengue infections, medical
complications and case fatality rates;

(5) Implementation and evaluation of train-the-trainer program to instruct healthcare
providers on the clinical management of dengue infections; and

(6) Design hospital-based surveillance systems for suspected dengue cases

(7) Coordinate with the DepEd in the development of appropriate health education
strategy to inform the public on Dengue prevention and control;

(8) Encourage collaborative activities with the DOST, DepEd, DILG, DENR, NGOs.
POs and other concerned sectors.

B. Barangays and other LGUs. - All Barangays shall be required to

(1) Ensure that all households and establishments comply with their responsibilities

within their respective areas;

(2) Allocate funds to augment the implementation of the National Dengue
Prevention and Control Program, particularly for fogging and the financing of
supplies needed for prevention;

Enact additional local ordinances that will support the National Dengue
Prevention and Control Program and initiate programs in which should include
awareness campaign, preventive measures, and clean-up drives;

For purposes of ensuring the administrative feasibility of implementing the
provisions of this Act, the LGU shall collect the fines. Any and alll fines collected
pursuant to this Act shall be used for the enhancement of the National Dengue
Prevention and Controi Program within the locality concerned, as weli as the
achievement of the objectives envisioned in this Act.

3)

(4

The DILG shall ensure compliance of these responsibilities by the LGUs.

C. Department of Education
(1) Strengthen dengue education program through school health
teaching/curriculum;
(2) Conduct clean-up drives in school premises and surrounding areas;
(3) Advice water authorities of broken water-meters, tanks, and pipelines;


(4) Conduct regular fogging in school premises;

(5) Report to the school clinic if any student, faculty, or staff shows any of the
symptoms of Dengue and coordinate with health centers, hospitals, or DOH of
any of dengue cases;

(6) Encourage collaborative activities and information-sharing with the DOH, DILG,
DENR, NGOs, POs and other concemed sectors;

(7) Integrate proper information and education in the relevant subjects in the
Elementary and High Schoo! levels; and

(8) Implement other preventive actions that the Department of Health may provide

Sec. 6. Assistance of NGOs and the Academe. - The agencies tasked to implement
the anti-Dengue program shall seek the assistance and participation of NGOs in any of
the following activities:

(1) Community mobilization

(2) Health education/information dissemination on Dengue

(3) Mass anti-Dengue campaign

(4) Promotion of the anti-Dengue campaign.

(5) Surveillance/reporting of Dengue cases

(6) Any other activities geared towards the prevention and complete eradication of

Dengue.

Section 7. Penalties. - Households, establishments and schools who fail or refuse to
eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes shall be punished by a fine of Two thousand
pesos (P2,000.00)

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DA, in coordination with the
DOH, DILG, DepEd, DENR, NGOs and POs shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Section 9. Appropriations.- The amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be initially
charged against the appropriations of the DOH, DOST, DENR, DILG and DepEd under
the General Appropriations Act. For the LGUs, the requirements shall be taken from
their Internal Revenue Allotment and other local funds. Thereafter, such sums as may
be necessary for its continued implementation shail be included in the annual Generai
Appropriations Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause.- In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever
comes earlier.

Approved