___ FIFTEENTH CONGRESS _) -
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr.

590

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 2647 by the undersigned
Rufus B. Rodriguez during the Fourteenth Congress. It was approved by the
Committee on Health under Committee Report No. 496, dated May 5, 2008. It was
approved on 2™ reading on May 13, 2008 and 3rd reading on May 26, 2008. It was
transmitted to the Senate on May 28, 2008 where it was not acted upon.

Prostate cancer is now one of the leading causes of death among Filipino
males. Statistics show that about 25 percent (25%) of men afflicted with prostate
cancer die ultimately. Patients who survive the cancer still require treatment to ease
symptoms such as pain, bleeding and urinary obstruction.

The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association
recommend that men forty (40) years or older undergo periodic testing for the early
detection of prostate cancer. Early detection will prevent future disease progression.

Also, treatment in the early stages of cancer is less costly than when done in
its advanced stages.

This bill seeks to establish a program to educate the public and increase
awareness on prostate cancer.

Tn view hereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly
recommended.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIMO B, Wr cver, JR.



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

= REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON
PROSTATE CANCER

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act may be cited as the “Prostate
Cancer Public Awareness Act.”

SEC 2. Definition. - For purposes of this Act, the term -

(a) “Director” means the Director of the Non-Communicable Disease
Control Service of the Department of Health.

SEC 3. Establishment of Program for Public Education on
Prostate Cancer. - The Director shall carry out a program on prostate cancer.
Through the program, he shall conduct or support activities -

(a) to educate males who are forty (40) years of age or older on
the need to periodically undergo physical examinations for
‘such cancer, including education on the frequency and type
‘of such examinations that are appropriate for various age
groups of such men; and

(b) to educate males on the availability and appropriateness of
procedures for detecting the cancer in its early stages,
including the procedure known as prostate ultrasound.

SEC 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.


SEC 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

———executive-order,-letter-of instruction,-administrative-order,-rule-or-regulation ————
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly

SEC 6. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.