SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
1 '1:1 r":l 
s. No. ----""-,O,,,-,I-,¥ 
Introduced by Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
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Article II, Section 15 of the Constitntion provides that the State shall protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and still health consciousness among them. In pursuit of this policy, 
it is the objective of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to continously 
endeavor to improve its benefit package to meet the needs of its members. It is in this light that 
this bill seeks to proVide coverage for the diagnostic services for breast and cervical cancer. 
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer and cancer deaths in Filipino 
women. The Philippines is ranked first in breast cancer incidence in Asia and has a higher 
prevalence rate than those in several Western countries, including Spain, Italy, and most eastern 
European countries. Based on the most recent data, relative survival rates for women diagnosed 
with breast cancer are: 88 percent at 5 years after diagnosis, 80 percent after 10 years, 71 percent 
after IS years and 63 percent after 20 years. From 1990 to 2002, death rates have decreased. The 
decline has been attributed to both improvements in breast cncer treatment and early detection. l 
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Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of.the cervix, is the second leading cause of death among 
Filipino women. According to the 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates, 7, 277 new cases 
and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer were estimated to have occured. This meant that there 
were approximately 10 Filipino women dying each day due to cervical cancer. This is mainly 
due to late detection and lack of awareness ofteh disea,se among Filipino women.2 
Based on the above data, it is safe to deduce that there is a direct correlation between the tme of 
detection and the odds for survival of women afflicted with these killer diseases. Thus, it is but 
urgent to include the periodic diagnostice services or breast cancer and cervical cancer in the 
. benefit package under the PhiIHealth. The intent of this measure rests on the premise that 
preventive and promotive health services are essential for reducing the need and spending for 
personal health services. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
(i\~,·-\\-\L., 
ANtONio "SONNY" F. TRILLANES 
Senator 
1 Breast Cancer Fact Sheet. Infonnation Retrieved from: http://www.gskcom.phibeastcancer.html. Retrieved on 09 
February 2009. 
'Infonnation retrieved from: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node197R2. Retrieved on 09 February 2009. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF.THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
.S.No. '1873 
________ 
I::n:::t~r::.od::u::':c~e~d~b:::,y~Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION TO 
PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES FOR BREAST AND 
CERVICAL CANCER, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Breast and Cervical Cancer 
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Protection Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt an 
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integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make 
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essential goods, health and other social services available to everyone at an affordable cost. 
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Priority for the needs of underpriveleged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, shall be 
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recognized. 
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SEC. 3. Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Coverage. - The National Health 
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Insurance Corporation (hereinafter referred to as PhilHealth) is hereby directed to include 
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mandatory periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and cervical cancer in its benefit 
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package. The expenses for the mandatory diagnostic services shall be covered by Philhealth. 
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The diagnostic services shall include but not limited to Clinical Breast Cancer (CBE) and 
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Mammogram Examination for breast cancer; and Pap Smear Testing for cervical cancer 
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whichever is applicable at detennined by the physician. 
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SEC. 4. Periodic Exam. - The mandatory diagnostic examination shall be done once a 
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year, or as often as may be necessary as determined by the Department of Health (DOH). 
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SEC. 5. Funding. - The amount necesary' for the effective implementation of this Act 
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shall be based on the evaluated and adjusted cost-sharing schedule and cost containment feature 
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ofthe PhilHealth, as determined by the same on the basis of applicable actuarial studies. 
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SEC. 6. Implementing Rules. -
The Departmetu of Health and PhilHealth shall 
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promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective enforcement of the provisions os 
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this Act. 
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SEC. 7. Separability, Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the'remainder of the law or provision ~ot otherwise affected shall remain valid 
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and subsisting. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
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letter of instruction, administrative order, rle or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with, the 
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provisons ofthis Act, is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly . 
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SEC. 9. Effectivitty Clause. - this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in the Offical Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
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Approved, 
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