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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) .
Second Regular Session ) 18 FER 26 Pa 34

RECEIVED SY: SY

SENATE
S.B.No. 1706 Jt

Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL VISION SCREENING PROGRAM FOR
KINDERGARTEN PUPILS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The vision of young children, particularly those at a preschool age, plays a
crucial role in their development, as their sight is a primary guide to most of their
learning experiences. It is clear that good and healthy visual skills are fundamental to
bolster a child's literacy. According to the American Public Health Association, about
10% of all preschoolers have eye or vision problems, but children at this age cannot
identify these disorders

In the Philippines, four (4) students in a class of 40 have a vision problem
according to the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI); three of them may have
error of refraction and one may have amblyopia or lazy eye. Amblyopia has a
prevalence of 2 to 5% in children, making it one of the causes of visual impairment
and preventable blindness. While the disorder is common among children, it can
cause permanent visual impairment if left untreated. With the full implementation of
the K-to-12 program, preschool entry for public school system now starts earlier at
the age of 5 or 6. Vision screening done at this age would allow early detection of
amblyopia, if not treated, will lead to education, occupational and safety restrictions
later in life

Therefore, it is only proper to establish an early diagnostic initiative for young
children. This Bill institutionalizes a nationwide screening program conducted by the
DepEd for kindergarten pupils. According to the Harvard Medical School, the causes
of lazy eye must be identified and treated as early as possible during childhood. A
holistic approach must be undertaken for the benefit of every child's cognitive
development to ensure their success in education.

This Act advances a health policy grounded on early preventive intervention
that is more efficient than remediation at a later age. Hence, the approval of this
measure is earnestly sought

——_—
SONNY ANGARA



OYA H ew

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Second Regular Session ) “18 FEB 26 (P4334

SENATE

RECEIVED By
s.B.No. 1706 7

Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL VISION SCREENING PROGRAM FOR
KINDERGARTEN PUPILS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 "National Vision
Screening Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 15 of the 1987
Philippine Constitution, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them. In line with this policy, the State shall endeavor to promote every Filipino's full
potential through good vision by creating ways and means to address vision
problems, including blindness, among children

Towards this end, the State shall institute a program that will help screen the

‘school children for visual problems.

SEC. 3. Establishment of a National Vision Screening Program. — A
National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) is hereby established under the
Department of Education (DepED) which is primarily intended to screen the eye

vision of kindergarten pupils



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SEC. 4. Program Objectives. - The objectives of the NVSP are
a) To conduct simple vision screening tests on kindergarten pupils
through trained teachers and identify pupils with possible visual

problems;

b) To identify early childhood visual problems;

c) To provide immediate attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils
and create a referral system so that they may be checked and treated
by eye care practitioners;

d) To develop a vision screening results database for all kindergarten
pupils; and

) To conduct continuing research on the state of visual impairment

among kindergarten pupils.

SEC. 5. Program Implementation. — The DepED shall lead the

implementation of the NVSP, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH)
and the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI), which is under the National
Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines (UP).

In the implementation of the NVSP, the DepED shall

a) In coordination with the DOH and the PERI, administer the vision
screening program to all public kindergarten pupils using a Vision
Screening Kit which includes charts with symbols or numbers, occluders
and transparent response key: Provided, That the DOH and PERI may
recommend to adopt new modes or methods of vision screening based on
the latest trends and developments;

b)

In coordination with the DOH and PERI, train and certify teachers in
conducting the vision screening program;

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In consultation with the DOH and PERI, develop a system of referral and
corrective measures for kindergarten pupils who are suspected or
diagnosed to have possible eye ailments;

d) Create a vision screening database containing the results of the screening
per child and visual conditions diagnosed by the eye care practitioners;
and



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) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NVSP.

SEC. 6. PhilHealth Benefit Package. - The Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) shall develop a benefit package for the consultation and

treatment of eye diseases of children

SEC. 7. Vision Screening Training. — The PERI shall be mainly responsible
for training of Vision Screening Trainers for purposes of quality assurance. It shall
likewise recommend the appropriate Vision Screening material to be used.

SEC. 8. Research. - The DOH and PERI shall conduct research and provide
evidence-based recommendations to the DepED on matters pertaining to the NVSP.
Furthermore, the PERI shall perform continuing research on childhood related eye
vision ailments.

SEC. 9. The Vision Screening Continuing Research Fund. — There is
hereby created a Vision Screening Continuing Research (VSCR) Fund to be sourced
from any donation or bequest made to the DepED or DOH in favor of the NVSP
which shall be subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and
regulations. The VSCR Fund shall be used to fund the PERI for its continuing
research program in connection with childhood related eye vision ailments.

SEC. 10. Tax Exemption. - All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and
contributions made to the DepED, DOH, or PERI for the NVSP and for the VSCR
Fund to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the DepED, DOH, or PERI for
the NVSP and for the VSCR Fund shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same
shall be allowed as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor for
purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the
Provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.



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SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to cover the
implementation of this Act for public kindergarten pupils shall be included in the
budgets of the DepED and DOH in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA)
However, for kindergarten pupils enrolled in private schools, the funding for the
implementation of their respective school's vision screening program shall be
assumed by the private schools concerned

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
from the approval of this Act, the DepED, in consultation with the DOH, PERI and
other participating government agencies, shall formulate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

amended accordingly

SEC. 15. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,