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vate 06 SEP 2016
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nod 503

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Glaucoma is a medical term for a group of eye diseases that affects the optic nerve of
the eye ~ the cable that connects the eye to the brain, Progressive damage to the optic
nerve will lead to visual field constriction and eventually blindness.

Statistics show that an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos suffer from glaucoma, making
it the third leading cause of blindness in the country. Unfortunately, blindness due to
glaucoma is irreversible.

‘This bill seeks to establish a grant program to provide screenings for glaucoma to
individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma.

As of today, while glaucoma is a disease that cannot be cured, it can be controlled.
‘Thus, state intervention is of utmost importance to provide glaucoma patients with
adequate access to treatment and prevention from worsening.

In line of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS

NTATIVES


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FirstRegular Session

3503

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SCREENINGS FOR GLAUCOMA TO
INDIVIDUALS DETERMINED TO BE AT HIGH RISK FOR GLAUCOMA

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Glaucoma Screening Act.”

SECTION 2, Grant Program to Provide Screenings for Glaucoma to High Risk
Individuals. =

a. Grant Program. - The Secretary of the Department of Health (here called the
“Secretary”) shall establish a program to award a grant to an eligible entity that will
provide screenings for glaucoma for individuals determined by the Secretary to be at high
risk for glaucoma,

For Purpose of this Act, “Individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma”
means those individuals determined by the Secretary to be at high risk for glaucoma
without regard to the age of the individual.

b. Eligibility. - In order to be eligible to receive a grant, an entity shall (1)
submit an applicant at such time, in such form, and with such information and assurances
as the Secretary may require; and (2) be dedicated solely to screening individuals for
glaucoma and other eye diseases.

c. Use of Funds. ~ An entity receiving a grant shall use the grant in accordance
with the following requirements

1. The entity shall utilize mobile screening units to test for glaucoma and
other eye diseases,


2. The entity shall target screening activities to population primarily
consisting of individuals determined to be at high risk for glaucoma.

3. The entity shall form partnerships with government health centers to
increase awareness of the need for screenings for glaucoma and to
provide screenings for glaucoma for individuals determined to be at high
risk for glaucoma, individuals with a family history of glaucoma, and
individuals with diabetes.

4. The entity shall provide grants to approved medical residency training
programs to permit students participating in the programs to conduct
screenings for glaucoma for individuals determined to be at high risk for
glaucoma.

SECTION 3. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal
year,

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause, ~ Any laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations or
parts hereof inconsistent with thisAct are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 6. EI

‘ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Offic

Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,