Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.2708

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as “The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”
that was approved in 1992 was promulgated to ensure that the State will be able to give its full
support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and aid in their
integration into the mainstream of society.

The said law has been amended several times by numerous other laws, administrative
orders, local ordinances, department circulars, rules and proclamations to improve the welfare
of persons with disabilities or the PWDs.

However, inspite all of the amendments, the existing laws, projects and programs are
not comprehensive and specific enough to translate the laws into concrete and sustainable
progress of the PWDs in the country.

This proposed legislation seeks to establish a system that will help ensure the welfare
and well-being of persons with Down syndrome in the Philippines through the establishment
of an office under the Department of Health.

Down syndrome (DS), also known as Trisomy 21, occurs when an individual has a full or
partial extra copy of chromosome 21. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome
are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across
the center of the palm. An individual with Down syndrome may possess these characteristics
to different degrees, or not at all. People with Down syndrome experience physical growth and
cognitive delays but they possess unique strengths and talents, attend school, work, participate
in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote and contribute to society in
many wonderful ways.

Despite such mental, verbal and intellectual hindrance, the state recognizes the
potential of persons with Down syndrome in labor and various vocations in par with their
conditions making them valuable assets for the development of the state.


The Office for Persons with Down Syndrome shall supervise the implementation
of a research program not only to provide health care information, provisions for early and
sustainable care and to conduct public educational and information campaigns on down
syndrome but also to research on careers better suited for persons with down syndrome.

This Bill also seeks to provide fiscal and regulatory incentives to therapists,
developers, teachers, manufacturers, and importers of medicines, medical devices, diagnostic
kits and other pharmaceutical and nutritional products needed by patients with from Down
syndrome.

This Bill shall ensure that patients with Down syndrome have better access to
adequate education, medical care, health information, and health care products needed to treat
their condition. It establishes a system to coordinate a sustainable research & development
initiative and resource generation efforts among relevant agencies of the government and the

private sector toward improving the quality of life of patients with Down syndrome and their
families.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Mi ISA 1 Hex CORRES 4


Republic of the Whilippines
House of Representatives

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO., 2708

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEDGES TO PERSONS
WITH DOWN SYNDROME BY CREATING AN OFFICE UNDER THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Down Syndrome
Act”

SECTION 2.Declaration of 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.
Towards this end, it shall develop various program tailored to persons with Down
syndrome and their parents or guardians by providing them a comprehensive package of
health, education and social development.

To facilitate full development and support patients with Down syndrome, the State
shall exert all efforts to remove all health, social, cultural, economic, and environmental
and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to people with Down syndrome and to recognize
what assets they can be in State development.

SECTION 3.Objectives — The objectives of this Act are as follows:

1) Ensure that every patient diagnosed with Down syndrome and their parents or
guardians to have access to timely health information and adequate medical care,
including therapists, medical services and other health care products to treat or
otherwise help them cope with their condition;

2) Establish an office within the Department of Health :
a. To oversee research & development activities on Down syndrome and
determine their capabilities beneficial to society;



b. To design and maintain a rare disease registry which shall include data on
Down syndrome in the Philippines; and

cc. To conduct public education programs to identify persons with Down
syndrome and help the public understand not only with respect to their needs
but also to make the public know they can still adapt well and be an integral
part of society.

3) Provide regulatory and fiscal incentives to support research and development
activities on Down syndrome, educators who specialize on persons with Down
syndrome, therapists who specializes in Down syndrome and the importation or
manufacturing of affordable medicines for persons with Down syndrome; and

4) Institutionalize a financial incentive system for agencies involved in clinical
research, patient care, medical information management and other similar activities
for the benefit of persons with Down syndrome.

SECTION 4.Definition of Terms — For the purpose of this Act, the following
terms shall be used under the definition provided hereof, to wit:

a) “Healthcare practitioner” — Any doctor of medicine, dentist, therapists, nurse, midwife,
allied health professionals registered under Professional Regulatory Commission;

b) “Healthcare institution” - refers to hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers, therapy

centers, lying-in or puericulture centers whether public or private;

"Medical care" — means any method used by health care practitioner to prevent,

diagnose and remove symptoms and cause of disease;

d) "Down Syndrome Registry" - shall mean health information system maintained by the

Department of Health (DOH), including the electronic database system, relating to data

on Down syndrome, persons with Down syndrome, health practitioners that treat

persons with Down syndrome, Heath institutions that provide medical services and

therapies for persons with Down syndrome and list of medical products that are needed

by persons with Down syndrome; and

“Down Syndrome" — is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part

of a third copy of chromosomes 21.

f) “PWD Underparent” ~ Any person who directly provides parental care and assumes

parental responsibilities to a Person with Disability (PWD) or a court appointed

guardian, who is duly appointed by the Board of Evaluators hereinafter created:

“Person with disability” - a person suffering from restriction or different abilities, as a

result of'a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in a manner

or within the range considered normal for human being.

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SECTION 5. Creation of Office for Persons with Down Syndrome —
There shall be an Office for Persons with Down Syndrome under the Department of Health
(DOH) to oversee research & development activities on Down syndrome, to design and
maintain a Down syndrome registry which shall include data on Down syndrome in the
Philippines, patients with Down syndrome, health care practitioners that treat persons with
Down syndrome and medical services and drugs for persons with Down syndrome.

SECTION 6. Composition of the Office —The Office for persons with
Down syndrome shall be a collegial body headed by the Assistant Secretary of the DOH
as chairman, one representative each from the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Bureau of Food and Drugs, the National Institutes of Health, a national
support group, a private healthcare company, a member of the academe, and a
representative from the Department of Justice as members. Lastly, a representative from
the DSWD as the secretariat.


SECTION 7. Duties and Functions of the Office — The Office shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:

1) To enforce the provisions of this Act;

2) Recommend agenda for the conduct and support of research and development
initiatives on Down syndrome, health care and products to identify relevant research
opportunities;

3) Promote coordination and cooperation among institutions involved in researches on
Down syndrome;

4) Enter into agreements with and award research grants for centers for researches
doing studies on Down syndrome;

5) Prepare annual reports describing the research & development activities supported
by the Office, and identifying projects that should be conducted in the future on
Down syndrome;

6) Evaluate activities of the National Institutes of Health in the management of
information system and ensure that Down syndrome registry is current and useful:

7) Ensure appropriate coordination among interested agencies, manufacturers and
organizations representing patients afflicted with Down syndrome;

8) Inform health practitioners and the public regarding the availability of treatments
and medicines;

9) Promote the development of updated treatment guidelines on the approach to
persons with Down syndrome:

10)Establish a referral system to facilitate the provision of appropriate medical care to
persons with Down syndrome;

11)Liaise with national and international patient, health and scientific organizations
working on Down syndrome;

12)To conduct case studies and evaluation to the different conditions affecting the
persons with Down syndrome and their families;

13)To investigate any violation of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued
thereunder, as may come to the knowledge of the Board and for this purpose to issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to alleged violators or witnesses to secure their
attendance in investigations or hearings, and the production of books, papers, and
documents in connection therewith and compel attendance by the power of
contempt;

14)To conduct yearly examination and evaluation of social health workers to assigned
in every DSWD field offi

15)To look, from time to time, into the conditions affecting the persons with Down
syndrome and their parents or guardians;

16)Adopt measures as may be deemed necessary to ensure inclusion of persons with
Down syndrome in the society:

17)To provide for reasonable accommodation and accessible environment for persons
with Down syndrome;

18)To advocate respect and awareness about the efforts made to improve the quality of
life of persons with Down syndrome and their families;

19)To research on viable occupations well suited to persons with Down syndrome; and

20)To make the public know that they can adapt and be an integral part of the
mainstream society.

SECTION 8. Supervision of the Board and Custodian of Records — The
members of the Board shall be under the direct supervision of the DOH. All records,
including examination papers, evaluation reports, minutes of deliberation, records of
administrative cases and investigations of the Board shall be kept by the Secretariat of the
Board.


SECTION 9. Incentives for Down Syndrome Funding and Resource
Generation — The following shall be exempted from all taxes whether national or local:

1) Donations to the Office of persons with Down syndrome and the National Institutes
of Health intended for research on Down syndrome, maintenance of Down
syndrome registry or for purchase of drugs, products for use solely by persons with
Down syndrome;

2) Procurement of drugs and products for use solely by persons with Down syndrome,
as certified by the National Institute of Health:

3) Healthcare facilities that directly provides therapy for persons with Down
syndrome.

4) Drugs and products donated solely for persons with Down syndrome shall be
exempt from payments of all tariffs and duties.

SECTION 10. __ Flexible Work Schedule - The employer shall provide for a
flexible working schedule for employees with Down syndrome. Provided, that the same
shall not affect individual and company productivity.

SECTION 11. Work Discrimination. - No employer shall discriminate
against any employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment on account of
his/her condition as a person with Down syndrome or the status of his/her dependent having
Down syndrome. Provided that they do not impede work productivity. Provided further
that the nature of their work is not detrimental to their condition.

SECTION 12. Parental Leave. - In addition to leave privileges under
existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be
granted to an underparent employee who has a dependent with Down syndrome and who
has rendered service of at least one (1) year.

SECTION 13. Emergency Parental Leave — In addition to parental leaves,
an underparent may also be given emergency leaves in times when his/her child or ward is
experiencing uncontrollable behavior, severe tantrums, seizures or other cases as
determined by the Department of Health.

SECTION 14, Incentives for Employer - To encourage the active
participation of the private sector in promoting the welfare of persons with Down syndrome
and to ensure their gainful employment, adequate incentives shall be provided to private
entities which shall employ persons with Down syndrome.

SECTION 15. Educational Benefits.- The Department of Education
(DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) shall provide the following benefits and privileges:

1) Scholarship programs for qualified persons with Down syndrome in institutions of
basic, tertiary and technical/skills education; and

2) Special Education (SPED) Tutorial programs appropriate for persons with Down
syndrome.

3) Ensure that persons with Down syndrome are provided with adequate access to
quality education and ample opportunities to develop their skills.

4) Ensure that public and private educational institution shall take appropriate
measures to make such education accessible to all persons with Down syndrome.

5) Ensure that the public and private educational institutions shall take into
consideration the special needs of persons with Down syndrome in the formulation
of educational policies and program, facilities, class schedules, physical education
requirements and other factors pertaining to their condition.


‘The DepEd, CHED and TESDA shall promulgate rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this program.

SECTION 16. Vocational Rehabilitation - Consistent with the principle of
equal opportunity for disabled workers and workers in general, the State shall take
appropriate vocational rehabilitation measures that shall serve to develop the skills and
potential of persons with persons with Down syndrome and enable them to compete
favorably for available productive and remunerative employment opportunities in the labor
market.

The State shall also take measures to ensure the provisions of vocational
rehabilitation and livelihood services for underparents in the rural areas. In addition, it shall
promote cooperation and coordination between the government and non-government
organization and other private entities engaged in vocational rehabilitation activities.

The head of TESDA shall design and implement training programs that will provide
persons with Down syndrome with vocational skills to enable them to engage in livelihood
or obtain gainful employment. The Department of Labor and Employment shall
likewise design and conduct training programs geared towards providing persons with
Down syndrome with skills for livelihood.

SECTION 17. Vocational Guidance and Counseling - The Department of
Social Welfare and Development shall implement measures providing and evaluating
vocational guidance and counseling to enable persons with Down syndrome to secure,
retain and advance in employment. It shall also provide training for underparent based on
the nature of disability of his/her dependent with Down syndrome. It shall ensure the
availability and training counselors and other qualified staff responsible for the vocational
guidance and counseling of underparents.

SECTION 18. Vocational or Technical and Other Training
Programs The State shall provide persons with Down syndrome with training in civics,
vocational efficiency, sports and physical fitness, and other skills. The Department of
Education, Culture and Sports shall establish in at least one government-owned vocational
and technical school in every province a special vocational and technical training program
for persons with Down syndrome. It shall develop and implement training program
specifically designed for persons with Down syndrome.

SECTION 19. Role of National Agencies and Local Government Units -
Local government units shall promote the establishment of organizations of disabled
persons in their respective territorial jurisdictions. National agencies and local government
units may enter into joint ventures with organizations or associations of disabled persons
to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertaking that shall enhance the health,
physical fitness and the economic and social well-being of underparents and persons with
Down syndrome.

SECTION 20. _ Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Health shall formulate, within ninety (90) days upon the effectivity of this Act, the
implementing rules and regulations in consultation with the local government units,
nongovernment organizations and people's organizations.

SECTION 21. Authority of Court - The court may grant any equitable relief that
such court considers to be appropriate, including, to the extent required by this Act:

1) Granting temporary, preliminary or permanent relief;


2) Providing an auxiliary aid or service, modification of policy, practice or procedure,
or alternative method; and
3) Making facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

SECTION 22. Penal Clause - Any person who violates any provision of this
Act shall suffer the following penalties:

1) For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) but
not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) or imprisonment of not
less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both at the discretion of
the court; and

2) For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P
100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00) or
imprisonment for less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or both at
the discretion of the court.

Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos
(P 5,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00), or both, at the discretion
of the court. If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials
thereof directly involved shall be liable therefor. If the violator is an alien or a foreigner,
he shall be deported immediately after service of sentence without further deportation
proceedings.

SECTION 23. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in
the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 24. _ Repealing Clause. - This Act shall apply suppletory to Magna
Carta for Persons with Disability as amended and other existing laws. All laws, decrees,
executive orders, administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 25. _Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

SECTION 26. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,