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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 937
•22 JUL 28 PS 26
RECEIVE® IK
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DIABETES 
AND ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2000, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) predicted that by 2025, 
there would be 320 million diabetics globally. However, in its 2021 Diabetes Atlas, the 
IDF reported that there were already 537 million adults living with diabetes aged 20- 
79. Clearly, diabetes is exceeding projected rates and growing around the world.1 The 
IDF further estimated that by 2030, the global figure will rise to 643 million and by 
2045, 783 million, if there is no appropriate response to resolve the growing diabetes 
epidemic around the world.
In the Philippines, the IDF also estimated that in 2021, there will be 4.30 million 
Filipinos with diabetes out of 66.75 million adult population, and 2.87 million more with 
undiagnosed diabetes.2 It is projected by IDF that the number of diabetic individuals 
in the country may reach 5.46 million Filipinos by 2030, and 7.50 Million Filipinos by 
2045.3
Worse, more and more young Filipinos are diagnosed with diabetes. In an 
interview with Dr. Ellen Du, past President of the Philippine Society for Pediatric 
Metabolism and Endocrinology, stated that “[bjased on the registry of the Philippine 
Pediatric Society, there were around 3,000 cases of type 1 diabetes among 4 million
1 IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th Edition, Diabetes Facts and Figures, accessible at https://idf.orq/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetesyfacts- 
fiqures.html {last accessed July 24, 2022).
2 
IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th Edition, Philippines Diabetes Report 2000-2045, accessible at 
https://diabetesatlas.orq/data/en/countrv/157/ph.html {last accessed July 24, 2022).
3 Id.


admissions from 2006 to May 31, 2021” covering Filipino children suffering from 
diabetes.4
Existing evidence and information can be alarming, and is further compounded 
by the Philippine Statistics Authority’s data covering the period of January to 
December 2021 showing diabetes as the 5th leading cause of mortality in the 
Philippines at 48,267.5
Thus, there is a need to increase the funding for diabetes prevention and 
treatment, in view of the foregoing, this bill seeks to establish the Philippine Center for 
Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE) to ensure that the full range of services for 
diabetes care, prevention and cure are given to the millions of Filipinos afflicted with 
diabetes through a more focused allocation of funding. The Center will also further 
enhance the noble undertaking of research in diabetes and the training of medical and 
technical personnel in the field of Endocrinology.
Diabetes care, prevention and cure should be a priority concern of the 
government because diabetes and other endocrine diseases exact a huge toll on our 
human resources. After all, the 1987 Constitution provides the duty of the State to 
secure the well-being of the people by providing them specialized health services. A 
specialized institution, similar to the Philippine Fleart Center, the Lung Center of the 
Philippines and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, which will focus on 
diabetes, metabolism and endocrinology can significantly address the worsening 
incidence of diabetes here in the Philippines and lessen the impact of diabetes and its 
complications on families, workers, healthcare system, and the economy.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR J0£L VILLANUEVA
4 Manila Bulletin, 3 ways to protect kids against diabetes, June 9, 2021, accessible at https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/09/3-ways-to- 
protect-kids-aaainst-diabetes/ {last accessed July 25, 2022).
5 Philippine Statistics Authority, Causes of Death in the Philippines (Preliminary): January to December 2021, accessible at 
https://psa.aov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminarv-ianuarv-december-2021 {last accessed July 25, 2022).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
• §nmtt
tf tl)f &ccr?tari>
•22 JUL28 Pi ^Z?
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 937
piECEIVEi®^,
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR DIABETES 
AND ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. State Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them by providing specialized health services and research, education and 
training facility responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.
Hence, it is the primary concern of the government to assist and provide 
material and financial assistance in the establishment of a specialty hospital for 
Filipinos suffering from diabetes and promote diabetes care, prevention and 
cure all over the country.
SEC. 2. Creation of the Philippine Center for Diabetes and 
Endocrinology. - There is hereby created a body corporate to be known as 
the Philippine Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE), under the control 
and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH), which shall serve as the 
lead tertiary-level care center in the screening, prevention, diagnosis and 
treatment of diabetes.
The PCDE shall have its principal office in Metro Manila, and may have 
such branch offices, hospitals, clinics or subsidiaries in Visayas and Mindanao 
and other areas in the Philippines, as it may deem proper and necessary.
SEC. 3. Purpose and Objectives. - The PCDE shall have the following 
purposes and objectives;
a) To construct, establish, equip, maintain, administer and operate 
such integrated medical institution or institutions which shall


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provide an organized system of care, comprehensive and optimal 
treatment for patients with diabetes and other endocrine problems;
b) 
To conduct nationwide screening and diagnosis of diabetes, 
obesity and the components of the metabolic syndrome;
c) 
To promote, encourage and engage in medical and scientific 
research on the prevention, care, and treatment of diabetes and 
other endocrine diseases, and gather, compile, and publish the 
findings of such researches for public dissemination;
d) 
To encourage, undertake and assist conferences, fora, 
conventions, seminars, workshops and training programs for 
physicians, nurses, health officers, medical technologists, social 
workers and medical and technical personnel on the practical and 
scientific implementation of health care services to diabetic 
patients;
e) 
To assist universities, hospitals and research institutions in their 
studies on diabetes and other endocrine diseases and other related 
fields, to encourage and grant scholarships for advanced training 
and specialization in medical care and management in diabetes 
and related fields and to support and finance educational programs 
of value to public health;
f) 
To encourage the formation of other organizations at the national, 
provincial, city and/or local levels, and to coordinate the various 
efforts and activities of such organizations for the purpose of 
achieving a more effective approach to the common problem 
relative to the purposes and objectives enumerated herein; and
g) 
To encourage telemedicine by establishing networks through 
internet facilities to link physicians at the local level or barrio doctors 
to specialists who can provide inputs to care of diabetic patients, 
especially in underserved and geographically isolated and 
disadvantaged areas, with due regard to the requirements of the 
Data Privacy Act of 2012.
SEC 4. Powers and Functions. - For the attainment and/or furtherance 
of the purposes and objectives of this Act, the PCDE, as a body corporate, 
acting through its Board of Trustees, shall have the powers pertaining to a duly 
organized juridical entity, and the following powers and functions in addition to 
those provided for in this Act:
a) To acquire, own, hold, use, lease, grant, mortgage, pledge, sell, 
assign, convey, transfer, exchange, dispose or otherwise deal with, 
real and/or personal properties of every kind and nature, including 
shares of stock, bonds, debentures, notes, securities and other 
evidences of indebtedness or obligations of other corporations, 
whether domestic or foreign, and whether government or private;


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b) To solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form 
of contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and 
private sector;
c) To award, enter into, make, execute, perform and carry out domestic 
or foreign contracts of whatever kind and nature;
d) To open accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to 
disburse such funds or invest the same as the Board may direct to 
accomplish or advance the purposes or interests of the PCDE, and 
to obtain loans, borrow funds and/or arrange financing or credit 
assistance of whatever kind and nature from all sources, whether 
domestic or foreign and whether government or private;
e) To levy, assess and collect such fees, charges and assessments as 
may be necessary or proper to support, finance and maintain its 
operations;
f) 
To invite diabetes specialists and similar experts in the various 
medical fields to train the personnel or trainees or residents of the 
PCDE and to also support the trainings, seminars, conferences and 
conventions of its medical personnel in research and medical 
institutes or universities, be it local or international as the Board may 
deem necessary and in line with the principles of the Philippine 
Qualifications Framework (PQF), to accomplish the purposes and 
objectives of the PCDE;
g) To adopt and use a corporate seal;
h) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
i) 
To adopt its by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law 
of the provisions hereof to govern the administration and operation of 
the affairs of the PCDE; and
j) 
To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary, 
related or incidental to carry out the purposes and objectives of this 
Act.
SEC. 5. The Board of Trustees; Composition; Term and 
Compensation. - The PCDE shall be governed, and its activities and 
properties shall be directed, controlled and managed, by a Board of Trustees, 
hereinafter referred to as the Board.
The Board shall be composed of the following:
a) Secretary of Health as ex-officio Chairperson;
b) Chief of Hospital as Vice-Chairperson;


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c) one (1) Undersecretary of the DOH;
d) one (1) representative from the Office of the President;
e) one (1) representative from the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM);
f) 
one (1) representative from the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, 
Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEM);
g) one (1) representative from the academe; and
h) one (1) member from the civil society who shall be a person of known 
probity in the community and is active in civil and community work.
The members of the Board shall serve for a term of three (3) years, with 
a right to hold-over such position until their respective successors shall have 
been duly appointed and qualified. The representatives from the medical 
community, academe and the civil society shall be appointed by the President.
The President of the Philippines may, however, remove any member of 
the Board for cause. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Board, the person 
appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of the 
member replaced.
All members of the Board shall receive compensation or per diem in 
accordance with current standards set by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) and as may be determined by the DOH.
SEC 6. Powers and Functions of the Board.
the following powers and functions:
The Board shall have
a) To formulate policies, guidelines and programs to effectively 
implement and carry out the purposes and objectives of this Act;
b) To prescribe, review and revise the amount of the fees, charges, and 
assessments levied and collected for the support and maintenance 
of the operations of the PCDE;
c) To control the management, operation and administration of PCDE;
d) To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or 
proper for the effective exercise of powers and functions as well as 
the discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the PCDE and its 
officers and employees;


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e) To authorize such expenditures of the PCDE as may be necessary 
or proper for the effective management, operation and administration 
of the PCDE;
f) 
To adopt the annual and supplemental budget of receipts and 
expenditures of the PCDE; and
g) To appoint, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the officers of 
the PCDE occupying executive and senior management positions.
SEC 7. Officers of the PCDE. - The Board shall determine the officers 
of the PCDE who shall be appointed by the Chief of Hospital of the PCDE, 
subject to confirmation by the Board. The PCDE may have an Executive Vice- 
President and such Vice-Presidents and Assistant Vice-Presidents as may be 
required for the effective operation of the PCDE.
SEC 8. The Chief of Hospital, Term and Remuneration. - The Chief 
of Hospital of the PCDE shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines 
for a term of five (5) years. The Chief of Hospital shall be a licensed physician, 
have a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration or related course, and has 
at least five (5) years of experience in a supervisory/managerial position. The 
salary of the Chief of Hospital of the PCDE shall be fixed by the Board, subject 
to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
SEC 9. Powers and Duties of the Chief of Hospital. - The Chief of 
Hospital shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the PCDE. He shall exercise the 
following powers and duties:
a) To execute the policies, guidelines and programs approved by the 
Board, and to be responsible for the efficient discharge of 
management and operational functions;
b) To submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed 
measures, policies, guidelines and programs as he/she may deem 
necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the purposes 
and objectives of this Act;
c) To direct and supervise the management, operation and 
administration of the PCDE. For this purpose, he/she may delegate 
any or some of his/her administrative responsibilities and duties to 
the other officers of the PCDE;
d) To execute, on behalf of the PCDE, all contracts and agreements 
which the PCDE may enter into, and to execute, accomplish and 
deliver any and all documents relative to such contracts and 
agreements;
e) To represent the PCDE in ail dealings with other offices, agencies 
and instrumentalities of the Government, and all other persons or 
entities, whether domestic or foreign, government or private;


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f) To appoint, promote, transfer, remove, suspend, or otherwise 
discipline the officers and employees of the PCDE, except those 
appointed by the Board; and
g) To exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be 
vested or reposed upon him/her by the Board.
SEC 10./\ss/sfance from the Government - The PCDE may call 
upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the 
Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations 
(GOCCs), local government units (LGUs), and state universities and colleges 
(SUCs) for such assistance as it may need in the pursuit of the purposes and 
objectives of this Act.
SEC 11. Authority of the Chief of Hospital in Emergencies. - In case 
of emergencies which require immediate action by the Board, and there is no 
sufficient time to call a meeting thereof, the Chief of Hospital, with the 
concurrence of three (3) other members of the Board, may decide on any matter 
or take any action within the authority of the Board itself.
SEC 12. Donations to the PCDE. - The PCDE is hereby authorized to 
solicit and receive donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments from 
all sources, whether foreign or domestic, government or private, without the 
need of securing a permit, approval or registration from any government 
agency.
SEC 13, Exemption from Fees, Duties and Taxes. - The PCDE is 
hereby declared exempt from all income and all other internal revenue taxes, 
tariff and customs duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges and 
assessments levied by the Government and its political subdivisions, agencies 
and instrumentalities, unless they are not actually, directly, and exclusively 
used for charitable purposes. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the 
contrary, all donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments which may 
be made by entities or persons to the PCDE shall be exempt from income and 
gift taxes, and the same shall be further deductible in full for purposes of 
computing the maximum amount deductible under the National Internal 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
SEC ^4. Funding. - The amount of Ten Billion Pesos 
(Php10,000,000,090.00) is hereby appropriated from the revenues of the 
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to defray the initial 
operational expenses of the PCDE. Thereafter, the necessary amount to 
support the continued operation and maintenance of the PCDE shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC '{S. Annual Report - The PCDE, through its President, shall 
submit an annual report on its accomplishments and activities to the President 
and both houses of Congress on or before April 30 of each year.


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SEC ^6. Applicability of the Other Laws and Issuances. - The 
provisions of the Revised Corporation Code, insofar as they are not inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act and with the purposes and objectives for which 
the PCDE is formed, shall apply suppletorily in the corporate governance affairs 
ofthe PCDE.
Likewise, the PCDE, its officials and employees, shall be subject to civil 
service laws and pertinent rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service 
Commission.
SEC M. Medical Assistance Package. - The Board is hereby 
mandated to formulate a medical assistance package for indigent and 
financially incapable patients.
SEC. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in close coordination with the 
Department of Science and Technology, National Economic Development 
Authority, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, and other 
stakeholders, such as the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism 
(PSEM), shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC 19. Separability Clause. - if any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which 
are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations and administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent 
herewith are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,