ieee thee SENT ATIVES
RECENVEO

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 20 JUL 2018

House of Representatives
Quezon City

Dati

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

1st Regular Sessi
gular Session Bree TATION ttNtT
[SST GSRUICE

HOUSE BILL No, 1768

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our educational institutions play a vital role in ensuring the overall well-being of
the students. One key feature of child-friendly schools is the ability to track and assess
individual students in terms of inclusion, health, development, protection, learning
barriers, learning achievement and special needs. Thus, it is of utmost importance that
these schools monitor and evaluate not only the academic activity of their students but
also their total well-being.

As a step in guaranteeing that this duty is met by our schools, this bill? seeks to
require all elementary and secondary schools, both public and private, to keep and
maintain a database of medical and dental records of their students. Through this, we
are not only helping our schools to be child-friendly but we are also enabling them to
aid the family and community in monitoring and maintaining the good health of the
children.

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

RED D. VARGAS III

Chi

-friendly Schools Manual issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund

? the constituent panel on Public Health proposed this policy when this representation conducted the consultative
program, Lehislatibong Ugnayan ng Kongreso at mga Simbahan (LUKAS).


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
15 Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no, 1768

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
REQUIRING ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN
THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS

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

SECTION 1. Medical and Dental Records Requirement. ~ All elementary and
secondary schools, public or private, shall be required to have a database of their
students medical and dental records upon the student's entrance in such schools and
upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed by the Secretary of Health in
regulations, provided that such regulations shall require that the records be updated at
least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An
examination and health history of any child may be required by the local school
authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such
child. The medical and dental records shall be attached in a file that contains the
student's academic records.

SEC. 2. Valid Issuers of Medical and Dental Certificates. ~ Each certificate in the
medical and dental records shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician
assistant, or nurse practitioner, in case of the medical certificate and a dentist in case of
the dental certificate, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the
examination was given, provided that the Secretary of Health has determined that such
jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of the
Philippines.

SEC. 3. When Examination Should Be Made. - Such certificate shall describe the
condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be more than
twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the
examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of
health to permit his or her attendance at the public or private schools.

SEC. 4. Source of the Medical and Dental Records. - The student has the choice of
submitting to the school his medical and dental certificate which came from a legitimate
source as prescribed in the preceding sections or be examined by the medical
practitioner assigned in the school where he is to be enrolled, If such student does not


present a health certificate as required in the section, unless he or she has been
accommodated on religious grounds, the principal or the principal's designee shall
serve a notice to the parents or guardian requiring the physical and dental examination.

SEC. 5. Respect for Religious Beliefs. - Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act,
no examinations for a medical or dental certificate or medical or dental history shall be
required where a student of the parent or person in parental relation to such student
objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations or health history may conflict
with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order or rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,