Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6210

Introduced by Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and
Hon. Jericho Jonas B. Nograles

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to institutionalize the National Integrated Cancer Control
Program that will address the growing and alarming cancer incidence in the
country.

Section 15, Article II and Section 11, Article XII of the 1987
Constitution provide:

“SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them."

“SEC. 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social
services available to all the people at affordable cost. There
shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick,
elderly, disabled, women and children. The State shall
endeavor to provide free medical and care to paupers.”

Cancer is a growing and serious public health concern in the Philippines,
which requires urgent and concerted action. Every day, people are needlessly
dying and suffering; families are robbed of their loved ones; communities lose


Statistical Authority states that one in every ten registered deaths in the country
is attributable to cancer. Since 2010, cancer is ranked 3“ in the list of top ten
leading causes of adult mortality and morbidity and ranked 4" for child
mortality and morbidity. As of 2012, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer estimates that in the Philippines, there are 269 new adult cancer cases
every day, 11 every hour. Moreover, there are at least 7 Filipinos dying from
cancer every hour. This does not yet include deaths from childhood cancer.
Experts opine that the actual cancer burden and cancer mortality in the
Philippines is in fact very much higher. Many more cases and deaths from
cancer remain uncounted, unrecorded and unreported.

Cancer affects not just the patient. It has a significant impact on their
families, friends, communities and the country. The World Health Organization
(WHO) and the Harvard based Global Task Force on Expanded Access to
Cancer Care has recognized this enormous burden, both in years of life lost,
human pain and suffering, as well as in economic terms. The economic impact
of cancer is significant and is increasing. It is now considered as one of the
three leading global economic risks based on its immense impact on global
productivity and economic growth. The total annual economic cost of cancer in
2010 was estimated at approximately US$ 1.16 trillion which includes the direct
and indirect costs of treatment and the income loss by patients and their families
as a result of being unable to work during treatment. Most importantly, the lost
productivity of the patient and the family from premature death, disability and
the demands of care-giving numerous studies have emphasized that the value of
lost productivity from cancer is very much more than the estimated costs of
government support for prevention and treatment. Given the country’s focus on
reducing poverty and accelerating achievement of development goals, it
becomes imperative for the government to address the cancer challenge.

Cancer pushes Filipino families deeper into poverty. Cancer treatment
costs are catastrophic and the economic burden is overwhelming. This
because financial risk protection mechanisms are limited, with patients and their
families often shelling out money from their own pockets to cover not only
treatment but other costs, such as laboratory tests, medicines, medical supplies,
nutritional supplements, food, temporary housing arrangements and
transportation. The study called Philippine Costs in Oncology shows that the
mean out-of-pocket expenditure for cancer treatment far exceeded their mean
household income and leads the cancer patients to financial catastrophe. These
huge out of pocket costs often deter health seeking behavior or leads to
discontinuance and abandonment of treatment, such as voluntary stoppage by



patient, beyond one month of necessary treatment. In some areas and with
certain types of cancer, abandonment or discontinuance of treatment can be as
high as seventy-five percent (75%). These conditions are most observed among
the poor and marginalized sectors but occur even among the so called middle
class.

Current mortality statistics from various types of cancer in the Philippines
are alarming. Survival rates for the most common adult cancer, such as lung,
breast, colon, cervical, prostate and liver, are relatively low compared to other
countries in Asia and the world. For females, the Philippines ranks second
highest among 15 countries in Asia, with 124 deaths per 100,000 population.
Compared to other Asian countries, the Philippines has the highest mortality
rate for two (2) types of cancer: breast — 27 per 100,000 population and prostate
cancer — 13 per 100,000 population. Lung cancer mortality rates are also high,
exceeding 40 per 100,000 population. For breast cancer, the Philippines also
has the lowest survival — .58 mortality to incidence ratio. For childhood cancer,
which now has an average survival rate of 84 percent in high income countries
and a growing number of middle income countries, average survival rate in the
Philippines is at a low 30 percent. All these become doubly distressing when
we consider that most cancer are now curable and the survival rates for various
types of cancer are now ranging from a high of 60-96 percent in high income
countries and a growing number of middle income countries.

Cancer poses a substantial challenge to our health systems. Many of the
preventable and premature deaths from adult and childhood cancer are
attributable to combination of the following factors:

(a) low awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer;

(b) — delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis;

(©) poor access to health facilities;

(d) limited health systems infrastructure for cancer treatment and care
as many regions and provinces in the country do not have health facilities with

necessary equipment, vital technologies and workforce ready to provide cancer
related services;



(c) limited number of trained health professionals for oncology related
services such as pathology, surgery, radiotherapy, psychosocial support,
palliative care and pain management; and

(f) weak or absent referral systems, patient pathways, programs and
mechanisms for early detection, accurate diagnosis, timely and optimal
treatment, palliative care and pain management, survivorship follow up care,
detection and management of late effects and rehabilitation.

Global experts have asserted that 50-60% of cancer mortality in low
resource countries like the Philippines could be avoided with country-specific
strategies for prevention and treatment.

Given the limitations of the health system in addressing current
requirements for cancer care, the country is unprepared and is likely to be
further overwhelmed to effectively care for the expected upsurge of new cancer
cases. Per WHO, incidence of cancer by 2030, is projected to exponentially
increase by as much as 80%, with the greatest impact being felt in low resource
countries like the Philippines. Thus, the government must act now to
institutionalize an integrated, multidisciplinary, multisectoral, nationwide
cancer control and management for all types of cancer, for all genders and ages.
It needs to achieve a progressive and sustainable increase in its response
capacity as well as accelerate preparations for expected future needs and
requirements. It must scale up its investments in the different components and
patient pathways of cancer control, provide high-quality, adequately resourced,
geographically distributed and connected networks of patient and family
focused integrated cancer care services for the whole cancer care continuum.
Failure to do so will be costlier and can lead to a health system crisis in cancer
care. Moreover, strengthening health systems capacity for cancer care will also
provide opportunities for timely and effective response to the burden of other
non-communicable diseases.

Finally, besides adhering and fulfilling the mandate enshrined in the
Constitution, the passage of this bill is compliance to international
commitments. The United Nations requires that member states should increase
efforts to strengthen health systems at the national and local levels to ensure
early diagnosis, accessible, affordable and high-quality care for all cancer
patients as well as reduce risk factors for cancer through adequate policies and
programs. Further, the bill is supportive of the country’s commitment to the
70th World Health Assembly Resolution of WHO on Integrated Prevention,


Control and Management of Cancer which calls for strengthening and
expanding national level actions and initiatives. The bill will also contribute to
the country’s attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to
ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages as well as to reduce
premature mortality from cancer and non-communicable diseases by at least
one-third (1/3) by 2030.

In view of the foregoing, the enactment of this bill is eamestly sought

O ALEXEI B. NOGRALES JERICH! . NOGRALES:


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Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6210

Introduced by Hon. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and
Hon. Jericho Jonas B. Nograles

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:

ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act may be cited as the “National
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. It adopts an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which includes strengthening of
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 Fi

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) 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 a defined population, through the systemic implementation of
evidence-based interventions for prevention, early detection, diagnosis,
treatment and palliative care;

(b) 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;

(c) Cancer registry refers to an organization for the systematic
collection, storage, analysis, interpretation and reporting of data on subjects
with cancer;

(d) 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,
biotherapuetics, 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;


(©) Carer refers to anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or
family member;

(f) | 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;

(g) 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;

(h) 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;

(i) | 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;

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

(k) 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;

(1) 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;

(m) Practical assistance refers to help on non-medical costs such as
financial assistance, transient housing, transportation, food and nutrition and the
like;


(n) 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.

ARTICLE II
THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM

SEC. 4. National Integrated Cancer Control Program. — There is
hereby established a National Integrated 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;

(©) 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;

(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 Board. — There
is hereby created the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Board,


hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall carry out the implementation of
the National Integrated Cancer Control Program. The Board shall provide
technical 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. The Board is composed of:
(a) The Secretary of Health 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 two (2) years;
(c) The ex-officio members of the Board are as follows:
(1) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration or a
designated representative;
(2) Director General of the National Economic and
Development Authority or a designated representative;
(3) President and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) or a designated representative;
(4) Secretary of Social Welfare and Development or a
designated representative;
(5) Secretary of Labor and Employment, or a designated
representative;
(6) Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, or a
designated representative;
(7) Secretary of Finance, or a designated representative;
(8) Secretary of Science and Technology, or a designated
representative; and


en Aue YN

(9) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education

(CHED), or a designated representative.

(d) Three (3) distinguished medical doctors, nurses or researchers who
are well known in the field of oncology, 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;

(©) Two (2) prominent professors from the academe representing key
disciplines of oncology to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3)
years from at least five (5) professors recommended by the Secretary of Health;
and

(f) 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 Board shall utilize the services and facilities of the Disease
Prevention and Control Bureau under the Department of Health (DOH) as the
Secretariat of the Board. The non-ex officio members may receive honoraria in
accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Roles and Functions. — The Board 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,
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;

(©) 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, 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;

(ce) 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;

(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


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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, not limited to those in the World Health Organization List of
Essential Medicines and the Philippine National Formulary;

(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 multisectoral 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; and

(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.

SEC. 7. Personnel 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 Director 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.

ARTICLE Il
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

SEC. 8. 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;

(c) _ 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;

(h) 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
Board.

SEC. 9. Cancer Care Centers. — The Secretary of Health, in coordination
with the Board, 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.

SEC. 10. Regional Cancer Center. — The objectives and functions of a

regional cancer center are as follows:


(a) Provide timely and high quality cancer services such as screening,
diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive care and 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

facili

ies, 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;

(ec) 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 organizations to make available programs and services and practical
assistance to cancer families and cancer survivors; and

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

SEC. 11. 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. 12. 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 HEls to offer degree programs for high priority
oncology related specializations and continuing education programs related to
oncological treatment and care.

ARTICLE IV
CANCER AWARENESS

SEC. 13. 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,


27

survivors, their families and carers. The DOH, in collaboration with the

Department of Information and Communications Technology, 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. 14. Health Education and Promotion in Schools, Colleges, and
Universities. — The CHED and Department of Education, in coordination with
DOH, shall develop policies and provide technical guidance to academic
institutions and administrators to:

(a) Promote and facilitate integration of age appropriate key messages
on cancer risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and
childhood cancer, cancer prevention and control, and adoption of healthy
lifestyles and healthy diets in their curriculum, health and wellness programs,
and co-curricular activities;

(b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and
psychosocial support programs for people living with cancer, cancer survivors,
and their family members, especially those who act as carers for cancer patients;
and

(c) Adopt initiatives that minimize or eliminate stigma and
discrimination in schools, colleges, and universities that are experienced by
people with cancer, survivors and their families.

SEC. 15. Health Education and Promotion in the Workplace. — The
DOLE, Civil Service Commission, and Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority, in coordination with DOH, shall develop policies and
provide technical guidance to employers, employees associations, and unions

to:


(a) Promote and facilitate integration of key messages on cancer risk
factors, early warning signs and symptoms of adult cancer and childhood
cancer, cancer prevention and control, adoption of healthy lifestyles and healthy

diets, in their communication initiatives, health and wellness programs, and
employee development programs;

(b) Undertake mainstreaming of practical supportive care and
psychosocial support programs for people living with cancer, cancer survivors,
and their family members;

(c) Integrate appropriate cancer services in their health services and
clinics; and

(d) Develop programs, initiatives or mechanisms that shall minimize
or eliminate stigma and discrimination in the work place that is experienced by
people living with cancer, survivors, and their families.

SEC. 16. Health Education and Promotion in Communities. — The
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs, in
collaboration with the DOH, centers for health development, local cancer
focused patient support organizations and cancer focused professional societies,
shall lead the health education and promotion campaign in the local
communities. The DILG, in coordination with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall conduct age appropriate cancer
focused health education and promotion for out-of-school youth.

ARTICLE V
AFFORDABLE CANCER CARE AND TREATMENT

SEC. 17. Cancer Assistance Fund. — There is hereby established a trust
fund to be known as Cancer Assistance Fund for the purpose of providing
financial assistance to people with cancer. The ten percent (10%) of the

incremental revenue from the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products


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collected by government pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 10351, entitled
“An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products by
Amending Sections 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 8, 131 and 288 of Republic Act No.
8424, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
Amended by Republic Act No. 9334, and for Other Purposes,” shall be
earmarked and be the main source 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 Board and the proceeds of which shall accrue to the fund and
shall be exempt from any and all taxes.

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.

SEC. 18. PhilHealth Benefits for Cancer. — The Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation shall expand current benefits to include screening,
detection, diagnosis, treatment assistance, supportive care, survivorship follow
up care and rehabilitation, 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.

SEC. 19. Social Protection Mechanisms. — The DOH, in collaboration
with Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine

Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Labor and Employment (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. Such mechanisms must be intended to encourage the
underprivileged and marginalized people living with cancer to undergo the
necessary treatment and care.

ARTICLE VI
ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

SEC. 20. Cancer and Related Supportive Care Medicines. ~ The DOH,
Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc. and other concemed government agencies
shall implement reforms supporting early access to essential medicines,
innovative medicines and health technologies, to ensure highest possible chance
of survival 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. 21. 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.

SEC. 22. 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, manager,
managing partner or any officer of the corporation or association who directly
participated in the violation of this section shall be held liable.

ARTICLE VII
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PERSONS WITH CANCER
AND CANCER SURVIVORS

SEC. 23. 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. 24. 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. 25. 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.

ARTICLE VII
CANCER REGISTRY AND MONITORING SYSTEM

SEC. 26. National Cancer Registry and Monitoring System. — The
DOH, in collaboration with the Board 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.

SEC. 27. 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.

SEC. 28. 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.

ARTICLE IX
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 29. 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. 30. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of
the DOH. Thereafter, the required budget for the continued implementation of
this Act shall be submitted to DBM for inclusion in the General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 31. 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


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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. 32. 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. 33. 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. 34. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,