HOUSE IF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) _. 17 AUG 2016
OF THE PHILIPPINES ) on
First Regular Session ) Te

HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT|VE — Re=672 yon ast
HBNo._ 3039 | Bis ¥ > ncex seavice

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OrHEa TH TO CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES
TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE.
ACQUIRED BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASES
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: “The State shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

The bone marrow failure in both children and adults can either be inherited or
acquired. However, in children, inherited bone marrow failure is often the cause. On the
other hand, older children acquire the disease at an older age.'

People who work with chemicals such as benzene, which is derived from coal and
petroleum and found in gasoline and other fuels, could reportedly be a factor in causing

the illness. Other factors include radiation or chemotherapy treatments and immune

system problems.”

' "Bone Marrow Failure In Children". Drug Information Online, Drugs.com.
2
“Id.


Thus, this bill directs the Secretary of the Department of Health to conduct pilot
studies to determine the environmental factors which may cause acquired bone marrow
failure diseases.

cauy

HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

* This bill is based on H.R. 1230 filed by U.S. Representative Doris Matsui during the 111"
Congress, 2 Session, and refiled by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Sixteenth Congress, 2"
Session.


EDs

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB.No._ 3039

Introduced by Representative Harry L. Roque Jr.

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

AN ACT
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT PILOT STUDIES
TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE.
ACQUIRED BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASES
SECTION 1. Pilot Studies.— The Secretary of Healthshall conduct pilot studies to

determine which environmental factors, including exposure to toxins, may cause acquired

bone marrow failure diseases.

SECTION 2. Programs on Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Diseases. —
(a) Information and Referral Services. —

(1) In General. — Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity
of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall establish and coordinate outreach and
informational programs targeted to minority populations affected by acquired bone
marrow failure diseases.

(2) Program Requirements. —Outreach and informational programs

authorized by this Act


(A) shall make information about treatment options and clinical
trials for acquired bone marrow failure diseases publicly available, and

(B) shall provide referral services for treatment options and clinical
trials by means of the Department of Health’s website and through
appropriate programs.

(b) Grants and Cooperative Agreements. —

(1) In General. = Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity
of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative
agreements with, entities to perform research on acquired bone marrow failure
diseases,

(2) Requirement. — Grants and cooperative agreements authorized by this
subsection shall be awarded or entered into on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis

(3) Scope of Research. — Research funded under this Act shall examine
factors affecting the incidence of acquired bone marrow failure diseases in
minority populations.

(c) Definition. — In this Act, the term “acquired bone marrow failure disease”
meansmyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); aplastic anemia; paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria (PNH); pure red cell aplasia; acute myeloid leukemia that has progressed
from myelodysplastic syndromes; large granular lymphocytic leukemia; or any other
bone marrow failure disease specified by the Secretary of Health, to the extent such

dist

¢ is acquired and not inherited, as determined by the Secretary.

wv


SECTION3. Diagnosis and Quality of Care for Acquired Bone Marrow Failure
Diseases. ~

(a) Grants. — The Secretary of Health shall award grants to entities to improve
diagnostic practices and quality of care with respect to patients with acquired bone

marrow failure diseases.

SECTION 4. Authorization of Appropriations. ~ To carry out the provisions of this
Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each

fiscal year.

SECTION 5.Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and

effect.

SECTION6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,

or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

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

Approved,