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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8305
House Bill No. __

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to reports, The Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia,
and it is the most prevalent in the country, accounting for 16 percent of the 50,000 diagnosed
breast cancer cases.

Experts say one out of every four women in the country is likely to develop breast
cancer in their lifetime, with half of this number projected to die of the disease. What makes it
worse is that those diagnosed with the disease often think this is synonymous with death and
mutilation. v

With the distinction of being number one for breast cancer in Asia and with a staggering
statistics to boot, there is a need to address this alarming situation. Hence, this bill seeks to
establish breast care centers where better education, care and preventive measures are given to
women who avail of its services.

By approving this act, the access to specialized care is made easier, more accessible,
and more affordable to the more marginalized sectors of our society, and would be more in
tune with the constitutional mandate that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other
services available to all the people at affordable cost.

As the famous saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Meaning, early detection is still considered the best weapon in combatting the disease.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

PEPITO M. PICO
Representative, DIWA Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN
EVERY REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of Breast Care Centers. ~A breast care center, known in
this Act as “Center”, shall be established in every region of the country to spearhead the fight
against breast cancer. It shall be a new department in existing regional hospitals of the National
Government. Should there be no regional hospital in the region, which is most accessible to
the highest number of constituents.

SECTION 2. Equipment and Personnel. -The Centers shall be provided with such
equipment, tools, implements, devices, apparatus and personnel as may be necessary for them
to carry out multiple programs such as Breast Protection, Breast Surveillance, Breast Imaging,
Breast Diagnostic and Surgery, Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Breast Cancer Awareness
and Protection.

SECTION 3. Function. — The Centers shall, in coordination with local government
units, local health offices, the Philippine Information Agency and other government agencies,
shall spearhead a sustained and extensive information and awareness of the region's
constituents especially the women sector on the ills, causes and symptoms of the disease for its
early detection and prevention.

The centers shall coordinate with regional and local education officials to ensure that
female high school students in both public and private school are taught the pertinent
information about the disease and are trained to habitually self-examine themselves as a part
of the regular secondary curriculum.


SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~The Secretary of the Department
of Health shall issue guidelines, orders or rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
establishment of a Center in every regional hospital of the National Government or in a district
hospital to be designated by the Secretary of Health for being the most accessible to the highest
number of constituents in a region where there is no existing regional hospital; for the
acquisition of the necessary equipment, tools, implements, devices and apparatus for the hiring
of personnel, for the fixing of reasonable fees for the services of the Centers and to carry out
the provisions and purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Operationalization and Appropriations. — To fully implement the
provisions of the Act, the Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's
program the operationalization of the Centers, the funding for which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,