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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act 9288, otherwise known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, illustrates a 
procedure to detect a genetic and metabolic disorder in newborns that may lead to mental 
retardation and even death if left untreated. 
In many countries, newborn screening has been a mechanism that protects babies from health 
risks. In our country, the rules and regulations implementing the Newborn Screening Act 
recommended the conditions to be included in the newborn screening panel of disorders. 
According to the Philippine Pediatrics Society, the advancement of newborn screening has 
succeeded in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with certain congenital disorders as it 
allows timely medical intervention for diagnosed patients. Affected children identified through 
newborn screening can lead normal lives with the help of prompt and appropriate medical 
management’. 
Recognizing the importance of newborn screening, this bill expands the number of disorders for 
which newborn infants in the country are required to be tested by law. Specifically, this bill 
provides for the expansion of the prescribed list of disorders for which testing is required under 
the implementing rules and regulations of R.A. 9288. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought 
Lk&A+-+i-+--- 
1 0  “SO NY” . TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
Nalional 
Newborn 
Screening 
Socieiy 
of 
the 
Philippines. 
Data 
retrieved 
at 
httv://w.vps.orix uhlpolicv statementstscreenine inborn-errors.vdf on 11 March 2009 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” IF. Trillanes Tv 
AN ACT 
EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF DISORDERS INCLUDED IN THE NEWBORN 
SCREENING PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
ussemb fed: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Newborn Screening Panel of 
Disorders Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State that in the 
interests of public health, every effort should be made to detect in newborn infants, 
hypothyroidism, galactosemia, phenylketonuria, and other biochemical disorders which may 
cause mental retardation or other permanent disabilities and to treat the affected individuals. 
SEC. 3. Newborn Screening Panel of Disorders. - All infants born in the country shall, 
pursuant to the Newborn Screening (Ni3S) Act, be tested for the hereditary disorders such as, but 
not limited to, the following: 
b) galactosemia; 
d) cystic fibrosis; 
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e) congenital adrenal hyperplasia; 
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If: 
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g) homocystinuria 
h) biotinidase deficiency; 
i) medium chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency; 
j, 
’\ HIVseropositivity; 
k) sickle cell disease; and 
The Secretary of the Department of Health, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall 
issue regulations to assure that newborns are so tested in a manner approved by the same 
Department, The Secretary shall also ensure that treatment services are available to all identified 
individuals. 
The provisions of this Act shall not apply if the parents of a newborn infant object to the 
testing on the grounds that it would conflict with their religious tenets or practices. 
SEC. 4. TG.?~x 
sf fk Depsrf,m~t 
~ffucdtk - The Depz~?~& 
nf Eel!&, hereinafter 
referred to as the Department, shall perform the following tasks: 
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n\ may c h q ?  a reasonable Fee For L!e tests perhmed ~ “ “ m t  
to t5is Act, azd 
determine the procedures for collecting such; 
c) ~ a y  
also requk t e s t i ~ p  of nexb~rr, iGfants far other preventabk biochenid 
disorders if reliable and efficient testing techniques are available; 
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d) shall provide a program of reviewing and following up on positive cases in order that 
measures may be taken to prevent mental retardation or other permanent disabilities; 
e) shall conduct an intensive educational and training program among physicians, 
hospitals, public health nurses and the public concerning biochemical disorders. 
fn Disnr&rs irz tho .WBS . - !nfor?Ertion on nPwbuhom 
infants and their families coinpiled pursuant to this Act may he used by the Department and 
agencies designated by the SecretaIy for the purposes of canying out this Act; otherwise, the 
information shall he confidential and not divulged or made public so as to disclose the identity of 
any person to which it relates, except as provided by law. The program indicated in Section 3 (d) 
shall include information concerning the nature of the ksorders, testing for the detection of these 
disorders and treatment modalities for these disorders. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
be unconstitutional or invalid, the reinainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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