. Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2083

Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Various compounds found or introduced into the environment by
human activity are capable of disrupting the hormone system of
humans and animals. The consequences of such disruption can be
profound because of the crucial role hormones play in controlling
development. No standardized and validated screens or tests have
been developed to routinely and systematically assess chemicals for
disruptive effects on hormone systems.

The country for so many decades has experienced an increase in
the incidence of such human disorders as childhood cancers, testicular
cancer, hypospadias, juvenile diabetes, attention  deficit-like
hyperactivity disorders, autism, thyroid disorders, learning disabilities,
cognitive impairment, and auto-immune disorders. Exposure to
hormone-disrupting chemicals may be contributing to these increases.
The impact on children’s health as a result of prenatal exposures in
particular needs further research.

Hormone disruption can occur at very low doses, especially when
exposure occurs in the womb or immediately after birth, periods
during which rapid development is occurring. Unfortunately, our
country lacks the necessary research on this phenomenon and unless
timely action be resorted to, there is no way of determining how the
impacts of the same could be judiciously and crucially addressed.

The purpose of this measure is to establish regional
multidisciplinary centers regarding women’s health and disease
prevention and to conduct a research program on hormone disruption,
precisely to prevent if not completely resolve the apparent onslaught
of diseases brought about by hormone disruption.

Through these centers, the effects of hormone disruption will be
addressed; hence, preventing possible diseases which many women
and their children suffer.

Hence, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2549

HOUSE BILL NO.

Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTERS
REGARDING WOMEN’S HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION
AND CONDUCTING A RESEARCH PROGRAM ON HORMONE
DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the
“Environmental Health Research Act of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Establishment of Multidisciplinary Research
Centers regarding Women's Health and Disease Prevention-

(a) In General- There shall be established Regional
Multidisciplinary Research Centers whose purpose is to
conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental
factors that may be related to the development of
women’s health conditions. The centers, to be placed
in major regional government or public hospitals, shall
be under the management and supervision of a
Director, who shall be appointed by the President on
the basis of his or her at least ten (10) years of
extensive experience as a medical practitioner or
researcher in the field and earned management
abilities from some reliable institution.

Said director shall report directly to the Secretary of
Health, and coordinate with concerned _ local
government units whose task primarily is to detail
personnel who may assist in the many functions
discharged by said centers.

(b) Research, Training, and Information and Education -

1) IN GENERAL- Each center under subsection (a) shall, with
respect to the purpose described in such subsection-

(A) conduct basic and clinical research;


(B) develop protocols for training physicians, scientists,
nurses, and other health and allied health professionals;

(C) conduct training programs for such individuals;

(D) develop model continuing education programs for such
professionals; and

(E) disseminate information to such professionals and the
public.

(2) PRIORITY FOR PREVENTION ACTIVITIES- In carrying
out the activities described in paragraph (1), each center under
subsection (a) shall give priority to activities that are directed
toward preventing the development in women of the diseases
and conditions involved.

(c) Collaboration with Community- Each center under subsection (a)
shall establish and maintain ongoing collaborations with community
organizations in the geographic area served by the center, including
those that represent women with disorders that appear to stem from
environmental factors and the health concerns of their offspring.

(d) Coordination of Centers; Reports- The Director shall, as
appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among centers
under subsection (a) and ensure regular communication between such
centers.

(e) Structure of Center- Each center assisted under subsection (a)
shall use the facilities of a single regional public hospital, or be formed
from a consortium of cooperating .institutions, meeting such
requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Health.

(f) Duration of Support- Support of a center under subsection (a) may
be for a period not exceeding five (5) years. Such period may be
extended for one (1) or more additional periods not exceeding 5 years,
if the operations of such center have been reviewed by. an appropriate
technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director
and if such group has recommended to the Director that such period
should be extended.

SEC. 3. Research on Hormone Disruption. - The Director
shall also establish within the regional centers, a comprehensive
program to--

(A) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the
health of women and children through disruption of the hormone
systems;


(B) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting
chemicals in the environment and their effects on ecological and
wildlife health;

(C) coordinate the design of a multi-agency research initiative on
hormone disruption; and

(D) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the Philippines
with such research conducted in other nations.

The program established under this section shall provide for the
following:

(A) Collection, compilation, publication, and
dissemination of scientifically valid information
on-

(i) possible human health effects of hormone-
disrupting chemicals, with emphasis on
exposures to low doses of individual chemicals
and chemical mixtures during critical life
stages of development, particularly effects of
prenatal exposures on children's health;

(ii) the extent of human exposure to hormone-
disrupting chemicals, with particular emphasis
on exposures during critical life stages of
development and in residential and
occupational settings;

(iii) and exposure of wildlife species to hormone-
disrupting chemicals and possible health
effects associated with such exposures.

(B) Research on mechanisms by which hormone-disrupting substances
interact with biological systems.

(C) Research on improved in vitro and in vivo methods to screen and
test hormone disruption.

(D) Research on the identity, levels, transport, and fate of hormone-
disrupting chemicals in the environment.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - For the purpose of carrying out this
Act, they are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary for fiscal years 2007 through 2010.


SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof,
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the
provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order,
rule or regulatign contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,