Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them, adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development, establish and maintain an
effective food and drug regulatory system, and undertake appropriate health
manpower development and research responsive to the country's health needs
and problems.

The bill seeks to provide for a National Folic Acid Education Program to be
administered by the Department of Health (DOH) for prevention of birth defects,
cleft lip and palate, and heart defects. The bill promotes the public education on
the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects and encourages women even
before and during pregnancy to consume the appropriate amount of folic acid as a
dietary supplement on a daily basis. Through this bill, due protection will be given
to unborn babies from acquiring birth defects caused by insufficiency of necessary
nutrients and vitamins such as the folic acid.

In consideration of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

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AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO,
2" District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 70238

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A NATIONAL FOLIC ACID EDUCATION
PROGRAM TO PREVENT BIRTH DEFECTS”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Folic Acid
Promotion and Birth Defects Prevention Act”.

SEC. 2. Promotion of the Beneficial Effects of Folic Acid in the Prevention
of Birth Defects. — The Department of Health shall carry out a program, directly or
through special arrangements with other government agencies and other
promotional entities engaged in public information activities, to provide education
and training for health professionals and the general public for purposes of
explaining the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects and to encourage
women of reproductive capacity to consume the appropriate amount of folic acid
as a dietary supplement on a daily basis.

Pursuant thereto, the Secretary of Health may consult with the appropriate
public or private entities, including national nonprofit and nongovernment
organizations, health professionals and health insurance and health plan
providers, to ensure the success of such education and training program. In
addition, the Secretary shall, directly or through partnership with other sectors,
provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit private organizations to fulfill
the mandate provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof.

SEC. 3. Continuing Research and Study of the Effects of Folic Acid. — The
Department of Health shall conduct continuing studies on the effects of folic acid to
increase the understanding of the same on the health of the citizenry, especially its
contribution to the prevention of birth defects, cleft lip and palate, and heart
defects. It shall likewise conduct research with respect to such education and
training, including identifying effective strategies for increasing the rate of
consumption of folic acid by women of reproductive capacity. In addition, it shall
provide for appropriate epidemiological activities regarding folic acid, birth defects
and neural tube defects.

SEC. 4. Evaluation of Program Implementation. — The Secretary of Health
shall cause the review of the program to evaluate the extent to which the activities
carried out, pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 hereof, have been effective in fulfilling
the goals of the program, including their effect on different sectors of the
population. Methods of evaluation to be undertaken pursuant thereto may include


surveys of knowledge and attitudes on the consumption of folic acid and on blood
folate levels, and the complete and timely monitoring of infants who are born with
neural tube defects.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be taken from the funds of the Department of Health of
the current year and every year thereafter.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid ~
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to of inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,