SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) Noe oo
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _) °

Third Regular Session )
18 MAY 31 P6 SO
SENATE . f
S.B.No._’ 1850 Un

(In substitution of S.B. Nos. 1545 and 1570 taking into consideration Senate Bill
Nos. 405, 495, 528, 588, 595, 614, 830, 874, 1048, and 1201)

Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Health and Demography;
Education, Arts and Culture; Local Government; Social Justice, Welfare and Rural
Development; Ways and Means; and Finance with Senators Ejercito, Binay,
Angara, Villanueva, De Lima, Legarda, Trillanes, Recto, Poe, and Villar as
authors thereof

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL
PROGRAM 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 “Wational. Integrated
Cancer Control Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes that cancer is one of
the leading causes of death in the Philippines. Pursuant to this, it shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to
strengthen integrative, multidisciplinary, patient and family centered cancer control
Policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of the existing
health care delivery system.

Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to improve survivorship by scaling up
essential programs and increasing investments for robust prevention of cancer, better
screening, prompt and accurate diagnosis, responsive palliative care and pain
management, timely and optimal treatment, effective survivorship care and late effects
Management and rehabilitation. It shall likewise make cancer treatment and care more
equitable and affordable for all, especially for the underprivileged, poor and
marginalized Filipinos,



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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Cancer refers to a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect
any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumors and neoplasms,
One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow
beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the
body and spread to other organs, the latter Process is referred to as
metastasizing. Metastases are the major causes of death from cancer;
(b) Cancer control refers to the method to reduce the incidence, morbidity and
mortality of cancer which aims to improve the quality of life of cancer patients in
@ defined population, through the systemic implementation of evidence-based
interventions for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliative
care;
(c) Cancer diagnosis refers to the various techniques and procedures used to
detect or confirm the presence of cancer and typically involves evaluation of the
Patient's history, clinical examinations, review of laboratory test results and
radiological data, and microscopic and genotypic examination of tissue samples
obtained by biopsy or fine-needle aspiration or blood samples obtained by blood
extraction;
(d) Cancer prevention refers to the following:
1. Primary cancer prevention refers to measures and interventions that
shall decrease the likelihood or risk of an individual of acquiring cancer;
2. Secondary cancer prevention refers to the use of tests to detect a
cancer before the appearance of signs or symptoms (screening) followed
by prompt treatment;
3. Tertiary cancer prevention refers to diagnosis and treatment of
clinically apparent cancer.
(e) Philippine Cancer Registry refers to a database that contains information
about people diagnosed with various types of cancer. The registry shall require
systematic collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and reporting of data on
subjects with cancer. There are two main types of cancer registry :
1. Population-based cancer registry refers to the collection of data on all
New cases of cancer occurring in a well-defined population, including
mortality and survivorship.



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2. Hospital-based cancer registry refers to the recording of information on

the cancer patients diagnosed and treated in a particular hospital.
(f) Cancer screening refers to the detection of cancer before symptoms appear.
This may involve blood tests, urine tests, other tests, or medical imaging.
(9) Cancer survivorship refers to the start at the time of disease diagnosis and
continues throughout the rest of the patient's life. Family carers and friends are
also considered survivors. Survivorship care has three distinct phases: living
through, with and beyond cancer.
(h) Cancer rehabilitation refers to a program that helps people with cancer
maintain and restore physical and emotional well-being. Cancer rehabilitation is
available before, during and after cancer treatment,
(i) Cancer treatment refers to the series of interventions, including psychosocial
and nutritional support, surgery, radiotherapy, radio-isotope therapy, and drug
therapy, which includes chemotherapy, hormonotherapy, biotherapeutics,
immunotherapy, gene therapy and supportive therapy, that is aimed at curing
the disease or prolonging the patient's life considerably for several years while
improving the patient's quality of life;
(i) Carer refers to anyone who provides care for a friend or family member;
(k) Comprehensive cancer care center refers to a care center with a focused
Program of work that is multidisciplinary and integrates cancer research,
education and clinical care to accelerate the control and cure of cancer;
(1) Continuum of care refers to delivery of comprehensive healthcare which
includes risk assessment, primary prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis,
treatment, survivorship and end-of-life care;
(m) Hospice care refers to the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or
seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and
spiritual needs to help the patient die in peace, comfort and dignity;
(n) Indirect medical cost or psycho-social support interventions or social welfare
assistance refers to practical assistance on non-medical costs such as financial
assistance, transient housing, transportation, food and nutrition and the like;
(0) Management of late effects refers to the management of health problems,
which may be short-term side effects or long-term side effects, that occur
months or years after cancer treatment;



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(p) Multidisciplinary care refers to an integrated (interdisciplinary) team approach
to cancer care in which medical and allied health care professionals consider all
relevant treatment options and develop collaboratively an individual treatment
plan for each patient. The multidisciplinary team includes professionals from
different disciplines forming a team to implement —multidisciplinary-
interdisciplinary process to cancer management. The multidisciplinary care
Process involves the bringing of insights from different disciplines together,
Contributing to one plan of management for the patient;

(q) National Integrated Cancer Control Program refers to the Program of the
national government for the comprehensive and integrated control of cancer in
the Philippines;

(") Notifiable disease refers to a disease that, by legal requirements, must be
reported to the public health authority when the diagnosis is made;

(s) Optimal treatment and care refers to a quality treatment care adherence to
the standards of treatment and care based on evidence-based guidelines;

(t) Out-of-pocket expenditure refers to any direct outlay by households, including
gratuities and in-kind payments, to health practitioners and suppliers of
pharmaceuticals, therapeutic appliances, and other goods and services whose
Primary intent is to contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the health
status of individuals or population groups. It is part of Private health
expenditure;

(u) Palliative care refers to treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms
caused by cancer which helps relieve suffering and improve quality of life for
People of any age and at any stage in a serious illness, whether that illness is
curable, chronic, life limiting or life threatening;

(v) Patient navigation refers to individualized assistance, through all the phases
of cancer experience, offered to patients, families and carers to help overcome
health care system barriers and facilitate timely access to quality medical and
Psychosocial care beginning from pre-diagnosis and extending throughout the
continuum of care;

(w) — Patient pathway refers to the route that a patient shall take from their first
contact with the health worker, through referral, to the completion of their
treatment. It also covers the period from entry into a hospital or a health care
facility, until the patient leaves;



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(x) Secondary cancer refers to either a second primary cancer or to cancer
that has spread from one part of the body to another (metastatic cancer); and
(y) Supportive care refers to prevention and management of the adverse
effects of cancer and its treatment which includes management of physical and
Psychological symptoms and side effects across the continuum of the cancer
experience from diagnosis, through anti-cancer treatment to post-treatment
care.

CHAPTER I
THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM

SEC. 4. National Integrated Cancer Control Program. — There is hereby
established a National Integrated Cancer Control Program which shall serve as the
framework for all cancer related activities of the government. The Program shall have
the following objectives:

(a) Decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer;

(b) Lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children;

(©) Prevent cancer recurrence and secondary cancer among survivors and people

living with cancer;

(d) Provide timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all cancer

patients;

(e) Make cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible;

(f) Improve the experience of cancer treatment and care of patients and

families;

(g) Support the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors; and

(h) Eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer,

survivors, and their families.

SEC. 5. National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Council, — There is
hereby created the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Council, hereinafter
referred to as the Council, which shall act as a recommendatory body for policy matters
related to cancer control. The Council shall provide technica! guidance and support and
Oversee the implementation of this Act, ensuring judicious and best use of available
resources for the benefit of all, especially the most vulnerable sectors of society, the
elderly, women and children, the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged.



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SEC. 6. Composition of the Council. - The Council shall be composed of the

following:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of (DOH) or a designated representative,
not lower than Assistant Secretary, as Chairperson in an Ex-officio capacity;
(b)The Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the non-ex officio members, from

among themselves, and shall serve for a term of three (3) years;
(c) The Ex-officio members of the Board are as follows:

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(2)

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(4)

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(6)

(7)

Director General of the Food and Drug Administration or a
designated representative;

President and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) or a designated representative;

Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) or a designated representative;

Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or
a designated representative;

Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), or
a designated representative;

Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG), or a designated representative; and

Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or a
designated representative.

(d) Three (3) distinguished medical doctors, nurses or researchers who must be
citizens and residents of the Philippines, of good moral character, of
recognized probity and independence, must have distinguished themselves
professionally in public, civic or academic service in the field of oncology, and
must have been in the active practice of their professions for at least ten (10)
years, chosen from at least five (5) persons recommended by the Secretary
of Health, to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3) years; and

(e)Two (2) representatives from cancer-focused patient support organizations
and advocacy network, to be appointed by the President for a term of three
(3) years from the list of organizations and advocacy network recommended
by the Secretary of Health.

The Council shall utilize the services and facilities of the Disease Prevention and

34 Control Bureau under the DOH as the Secretariat of the Council. The non-ex officio

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Members may receive honoraria in accordance with the existing laws, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 7. Roles and Functions. - The Council shall recommend policies,
Programs and reforms that enhance synergies among stakeholders and ensure well-
coordinated, effective and sustainable implementation of the Provisions of this Act. It
shall advise and assist in planning; policy making; program development; development
Of good practice models; standard setting; stakeholder engagement; program
monitoring, evaluation and assessment; and strategic, programmatic and operational
review. It shall, as necessary, create experts’ groups or technical working groups to
assist the DOH to undertake any of the following key tasks:

(a) Secure from government agencies and other stakeholders, recommendations

and plans pertinent to the respective mandates of the agencies and other

stakeholders for the implementation of the provisions of this Act;

(b) Develop the National Integrated Cancer Control roadmap with annual targets,

Priorities and performance benchmarks, for the effective institutionalization of

integrated cancer control strategies, policies, programs and services in the

national and local health care system;

(c) Develop integrated and responsive cancer control policies and programs

tailored to the socio-economic context and epidemiological profiles of the

Philippines which aims to improve survivorship, make cancer care more

accessible and affordable, expand cancer care to include the whole continuum of

care, promote integrated, multidisciplinary, developmentally-appropriate patient
and family-centered care, and enhance the well-being and quality of life of
cancer patients and their families;

(d) Develop, update and promote, evidence based treatment standards and

guidelines for all adult and childhood cancer, of all ‘stages, including the

management of late effects;

(e) Develop innovative and cost-effective cancer care service models for

effectively delivering integrated cancer care in the most appropriate settings and

improve patient care flow from primary to tertiary care;

(f) Develop clearly defined patient care pathways and evidence based standards

of care for the network of cancer centers;



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(g)Set quality and accreditation standards for oncology focused health service
facilities, health care providers, medical professionals, allied health professionals,
as well as, ethical cancer research;
(h) Monitor and assess the implementation of prioritized packages of cancer
services for all ages and all stages of cancer, ensuring that they are provided in
an equitable, affordable and sustainable manner, at all levels of care;
(i) Recommend responsive and proactive medicine access Programs, including
improvements of core systems and processes related to:

1) Availability and affordability of quality, safe, and effective medicines;

2) Increased access to cost effective vaccinations to Prevent infections

associated with cancer;

3) Diagnostics for cancer;

4) Innovative medicines and technologies; and

5) Compassionate use protocols, as necessary.
(j) Establish mechanisms and platforms for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder
collaboration, coordination, and cooperation, especially in health promotion,
disease prevention, capacity development, education, training and learning,
information and communication, social mobilization and resource mobilization;
(k) Establish mechanisms and platforms for patient, family and community
engagement, especially on protection and promotion of the rights of patients,
survivors and their families and their active involvement in multidisciplinary
Patient care, patient navigation and survivors’ follow-up care;
(1) Strengthen linkages with local and international organizations for Possible
Partnerships in treatment and management of challenging and rare cases,
education, training and learning, advocacy, research, resource mobilization and
funding assistance;
(m) Establish a system for program review, monitoring and evaluation,
inclusive of financial aspects, and submit an annual report and recommendation
to the Secretary of Health on the progress, accomplishments and implementation
challenges encountered;
(n) Institute the provision of child life services in all appropriate hospitals and
facilities; and
(0) Call upon other agencies and organizations to assists the Council in carrying
out its mandate.



SEC. 8. Personne! Complement. - To ensure the effective implementation of
this Act, the personnel complement for the Cancer Program in the Disease Prevention
and Control Bureau of the DOH shall be increased,

A Program Manager for Cancer Control shall be designated to provide operational
leadership, undertake coordination with Program stakeholders and ensure effective and
sustainable implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Program. The
Secretary of Health shall, in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), determine the additional plantilla positions to be created and filled
up.

CHAPTER II
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

SEC. 9. Cancer Care Infrastructure. — The DOH, local government units
(LGUs) and other government agencies concerned shall strengthen the capability of
public health systems and facilities, provision of services and continuum of care,
through the following key activities:

a) Allocate adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation or

upgrade, inclusive of technologies and equipment for use in cancer treatment

and care from diagnosis to rehabilitation;

b) Develop robust and effective patient referral pathways across levels of health

service delivery;

C) Provide reliable supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related vaccines to

Patients by ensuring that health facilities and local health centers have sufficient

supply of essential medicines and vaccines;

d) Enhance the oncology related competencies of health providers in all levels of

care and the capacity to collaborate and work effectively in an integrated,

multidisciplinary settings;

e) Institute work place retention programs for Priority oncology disciplines,

disciplines where shortages exist and in underserved areas, where there are no

oncology related practitioners;

f) Establish clear standards and guidelines for patient care, psychosocial

support, palliative care and pain management, and patient navigation;

g) Establish and strengthen community level of care for cancer patients, cancer

Survivors, and people living with cancer, of all gender and ages;



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Ensure the proper recording, reporting and monitoring of cancer cases, of

all gender and ages, in all levels of care;

i) Network and link-up with comprehensive cancer centers, regional cancer

centers, specialty centers, privately managed cancer centers and relevant health

facilities and international institutions, for knowledge and resource sharing; and

J) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the Council.

SEC. 10. Philippine Cancer Center. - There shall be established a Philippine
Cancer Center under the control and supervision of the University of the Philippines -
Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). The Center shall have the following purpose and

objectives:
(a)

(b)

©

(d)

(e)

To provide for accommodation, facilities and medical treatment of patients
suffering from cancer, subject to the rules and regulations of the UP-PGH;

To promote, encourage and engage in scientific research on the
Prevention of cancer and the care and treatment of cancer patients and
related activities;

To stimulate and underwrite scientific researches on the biological,
demographic, social, economic, physiological aspects of cancer, its
abnormalities and control; and gather, compile, and publish the findings of
such researches for public dissemination;

To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, nurses, medical
technicians, health officers and social workers on the Practical and
scientific conduct and implementation of cancer health care services, and
related activities;

To assist universities, hospitals and research institutions in their studies of
cellular anomalies, to encourage advanced training on matters of, or
affecting the human cell, and related fields and to support educational
programs of value to general health.

SEC. 11. Cancer Care Centers. - The Secretary of Health, in coordination
with the Council, shall develop standards to Classify, accredit and designate
Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Specialty Cancer Centers, Regional Cancer Centers and
Cancer satellites or stand-alone clinics. The network of cancer care centers that is
easily accessible to patients shall be established strategically in the country. The
required diagnostic, therapeutic, research capacities and facilities, technical, operational
and personnel standards of these centers shall be defined in the Implementing Rules

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and Regulations of this law. If necessary, the use of Public Private Partnership shall be
allowed on the procurement of cancer care infrastructure and services to hasten
delivery of essential oncological services and promote efficiency in fiscal utilization for
cancer programs and projects.
SEC. 12. Regional Cancer Center. - The objectives and functions of a
regional cancer center are as follows:
a) Provide timely, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality cancer services
such as screening, diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive care,
Palliative care, survivorship follow-up care, and re-integration and rehabilitation,
to cancer patients of all gender and ages;
b) Establish as necessary, networks with both public and private facilities, to
improve access, expand range of services, reduce costs and bring services closer
to patients;
¢) Provide and promote supportive care, Palliative care and pain management,
patient navigation, hospice care and other measures to improve the well-being
and quality of life of cancer patients, people living with cancer, their families and
carers;
d) Provide separate units and facilities for children and adolescents with cancer
and ensure that such children and adolescents are not mixed with the general
population;
e) Design and implement high-impact, innovative, and relevant local
communications campaigns that are context and culture-sensitive, and aligned
with national programs;
f) Undertake and support the training of physicians, nurses, medical
technicians, pharmacists, health officers and social workers on evidence-based
and good practice models for the delivery of responsive, multidisciplinary,
integrated cancer services;
g) Address the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of cancer patients and
‘survivors;
h) Adopt and promote evidence based innovations, good practice models,
equitable, sustainable strategies and actions across the continuum of care;
i) Engage and collaborate with LGUs, private sector, philanthropic institutions,
cancer focused patient support, advocacy organizations and civil society

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organizations to make available programs and services and practical assistance

to cancer families and cancer survivors; and

J) Promote and assist in ethical scientific research on matters related to cancer.

SEC. 13. Capacity Development. - The DOH, in collaboration with cancer
focused professional societies, LGUs leagues and LGU-based health associations,
academic institutions, human resources units of cancer care centers, civil society
organizations, and the private sector, shall formulate, implement and update capacity
development program for all health care workers providing cancer care service and
support at all levels of the healthcare delivery system,

SEC. 14. Oncology-Related Academic Curriculum. -— The CHED, in
collaboration with DOH, higher education institutions (HEIs), cancer focused
Professional societies, accrediting institutions and patient support organizations, shall
undertake an assessment of current oncology-related academic curriculum and ensure
that the curriculum meets local needs and global practice standards. The CHED shall
encourage HEIs to offer degree programs for high priority oncology related
specializations and continuing education programs related to oncological treatment and
care,

CHAPTER III
CANCER AWARENESS.

SEC. 15. Cancer Awareness Campaign. — The DOH shall intensify its cancer
awareness campaign and provide the latest and evidence-based information for the
Prevention and treatment of cancer including practical advice, support and referral for
cancer patients, people living with cancer, survivors, their families and carers. The
DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT), shall make full use of the latest technology to disseminate
information to reach every Filipino.

The awareness campaign must increase cancer literacy and understanding of risk
factors associated with cancer, dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer, and
reduce the anxiety, fear, distress and uncertainty related to cancer.

SEC. 16. National Cancer Awareness Month. - The month of February of
every year shall be known as the “Wational Cancer Awareness Month" throughout the
Philippines. The DOH, in collaboration with LGUS, cancer focused Professional societies,
academic institutions, shall lead the observance of National Cancer Awareness Month.

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1 SEC. 17. Health Education and Promotion in Schools, Colleges, and
2 Universities. - The CHED and Department of Education, in coordination with DOH,
3 shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to academic institutions and
4 administrators to:

5 (a) Promote and facilitate integration of age appropriate and gender sensitive key
6 Messages on cancer risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult
7 cancer and childhood cancer, cancer prevention and control, and adoption of
8 healthy lifestyles and healthy diets in their curriculum, health and wellness
9 Programs, and co-curricular activities;

10 (b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical Supportive care and psychosocial
ll support programs for people living with cancer, cancer Survivors, and their family
12 members, especially those who act as carers for cancer Patients; and

13 (©) Adopt initiatives that eliminate stigma and discrimination in schools, colleges,
14 and universities that are experienced by people with cancer, survivors and their
15 families.

16 SEC. 18. Health Education and Promotion in the Workplace. - The

17 DOLE, Civil Service Commission (CSC), and Technical Education and Skills Development
18 Authority (TESDA), in coordination with DOH, shall develop policies and provide
19 _ technical guidance to employers, employees associations, and unions to:

20 a) Promote and facilitate inclusion of gender sensitive key messages on cancer
21 risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood
22 cancer, cancer prevention and control, adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy
23 diets, in their communication initiatives, health and wellness programs, and
24 employee development programs;

25 b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and Psychosocial
26 Support programs for people living with cancer, cancer survivors, and their family
27 members;

28 ) Integrate appropriate cancer services in their health services and clinics; and
29 d) Develop programs, initiatives or mechanisms that shall eliminate stigma and
30 discrimination in the work place that is experienced by people living with cancer,
31 survivors, and their families.

32 SEC. 19. Health Education and Promotion in Communities. — The DILG

33 and LGUs, in collaboration with the DOH central and regional offices, local cancer
34 — focused patient support organizations and cancer focused professional societies, shall

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lead the health education and promotion campaign in the local communities. The DILG,
in coordination with the DSWD, shall conduct age appropriate and gender sensitive
cancer focused health education and promotion for out-of-school youth.

CHAPTER IV
AFFORDABLE CANCER CARE AND TREATMENT

SEC. 20. Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund. — There is hereby
established a Cancer Assistance Fund to support the cancer medicine and treatment
assistance program. The DOH shall manage the fund in accordance with the existing
budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations and shall make a quarterly
report to the Office of the President and Congress on the disbursement of the fund.

The DOH may solicit and receive donations which shall form Part of the fund and
such donations shall be exempt from income or donor's tax and all other taxes, fees
and charges imposed by the government. Likewise, fund raising activities may be
conducted by the Council and the proceeds of which shall accrue to the fund and shall
be exempt from any and all taxes.

SEC. 21. PhilHealth Benefits for Cancer. — PhilHealth shall expand the
benefit packages to include screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment assistance,
‘supportive care, survivorship follow-up care and rehabilitation, and end of-life-care, for
all types and stages of cancer, in both adults and children. It shall also develop
innovative benefits such as support for community-based models of care to improve
cancer treatment journey and reduce costs of care, Including stand-alone chemotherapy
infusion centers, ambulatory care, community or home-based palliative care and pain
management and community-based hospice facility. The development or expansion of
any PhilHealth benefits shall go through a proper, transparent and standardized
Prioritization setting process, such as the Health Technology Assessment and actuarial
feasibility study, to avoid inequitable allocation of funds for health care services.

SEC. 22. Social Protection Mechanisms. ~ The DOH, in collaboration with
Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), DOLE, DSWD and LGUs, shall develop appropriate
and easily accessible social protection mechanisms for cancer patients, people living
with cancer, survivors, their families and carers. It shall aim to encourage the
underprivileged and marginalized people living with cancer to undergo the Necessary
treatment and care.

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The Cancer Control Policy is hereby established in the workplace. It shall form
Part of employee benefits in the formal sector along the entire cancer continuum, that
is, from prevention (including genetic Counseling and testing) to screening, diagnosis
and palliative care, treatment, rehabilitation, Survivorship or hospice care. Likewise, the
Insurance Commission shall mandate the Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) to
cover genetic counseling and testing, cancer screening, diagnostics and palliative care
as well as certain therapeutics of all member employees. The cancer-related absences
from work of member employees as well as voluntary members shall be covered and
compensated by the Sickness Benefits of SSS and Disability Benefits of GSIS. The
employees in the informal sector shall be prioritized in the cancer control Packages of
PhilHealth while the employees in the formal sector shall be offered cost-sharing
PhilHealth benefit packages.

CHAPTER V
ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

SEC. 23. Cancer and Related Supportive Care Medicines. - The DOH, and
other concerned government agencies shall implement reforms supporting early access
to essential medicines, innovative medicines and health technologies, to ensure
improved survivorship and better health outcomes among people with cancer. The
reforms include facilitating quick access to drugs for compassionate use and developing
a more responsive system for effectively addressing emergency cases,

SEC. 24. Palliative Care and Pain Management Medicines. — The DOH
shall ensure sufficient supply of medicines for Palliative care and pain management that
are available at affordable prices. Further, the DOH shall formulate a monitoring
system to check that pain medications are safe and administered in correct dosages.

CHAPTER VI
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PERSONS WITH CANCER
AND CANCER SURVIVORS
SEC. 25. Persons with Disabilities. — Cancer patients, persons living with
cancer and cancer survivors are considered as persons with disabilities (PWDs) in
accordance with RA No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for
Disabled Persons.”



SEC. 26. Rights and Privileges. ~ The cancer patients, persons living with
cancer and cancer survivors are accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs and
the DSWD shall ensure that their social welfare and benefits Provided under RA 7277,
as amended, are granted to them. Further, the DOLE shall adopt programs which
Promote work and employment opportunities for able Persons with cancer and cancer
survivors.

SEC. 27. Non-discrimination. - The appropriate government agencies shall
ensure that people living with cancer and cancer survivors are free from any form of
discrimination in school, workplace and community.

CHAPTER VII
CANCER REGISTRY AND MONITORING SYSTEM

SEC. 28. National Cancer Registry and Monitoring System. - The DOH,
in collaboration with the Council and other stakeholders, shall establish a national
cancer registry and monitoring system. The registry must cover all forms of cancer
among adults and children and serve as guide in the Policy development of the Board.
The national cancer registry shall be a Population-based cancer registry seeking to
collect data on all new cases of cancer by geographical region to provide framework for
assessing and controlling the impact of cancer in the community. Cancer registries shall
form part of the Electronic Medical Records requirement of the DOH, and that it shall be
in accordance with the National Health Data Standards and Republic Act No. 10173,
otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.”

SEC. 29. Hospital Based Cancer Registry. — Every hospital, including clinics,
shall have its own cancer registry. The registry must record the personal identification
of cancer patients, cancer type, treatment received and its results and other data that
the DOH may prescribe. The regional offices of the DOH shall ensure that all hospitals
within their respective jurisdiction have cancer registry. The information shall be treated
with utmost confidentiality and shall not be released to third parties, in accordance with
the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.” Submission of cancer registry shall be a requirement for
the renewal of license to operate of the hospital.

SEC. 30. Recording and Reporting of Cancer Cases. — Adult and childhood
cancer are considered as a notifiable disease in all levels of the health care system.
Any hospital or clinic which diagnosed a patient with cancer shall report the same to the
DOH. The DOH shall provide the form and manner of reporting of cancer cases.

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COADAKNRYNE

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CHAPTER VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 31. Unlawful Acts and Penalties, — It shall be unlawful for any person,
natural or juridical, to make any false or misleading claims, through advertisement in
any media outlet, about any drug, device, agent or procedure purporting to be a cure
or prophylactic against cancer. It shall also be unlawful to advertise any drug, device,
agent or procedure related to cancer without Prior approval or authority from the
appropriate regulatory bodies.

Any person who commits the unlawful acts provided in this Section shall be
Punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, but not more than one (1)
year, or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more
than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or both. If the offender is a
Corporation or association, the president, member of the Board, manager, managing
partner or any officer of the corporation or association who directly participated in the
violation of this Section shall be held liable.

SEC. 32. Annual Report. - The Secretary of Health shall submit to the
Committees on Health of the Senate and the House of Representatives an annual report
on the progress of the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 33. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOH for the
maintenance and other operating expenses of the National Integrated Cancer Control
Program. Thereafter, the required budget for the continued implementation of this Act
shall be submitted to DBM for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 34, Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the
concerned stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the
Provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued Pursuant to this
section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

SEC. 35. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.



SEC. 36. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees or issuances,
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 37. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,