Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Reguiar Session

"na
House pr. no.__ 2099

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This seeks to establish a free medicine assistance program in a heatth
district to benefit only the underprivileged, the elderly, the disabled and the
poorest of the poor, which shail be administered by the Department of
Health in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.

It is common knowledge that some of our countrymen die not because
their illness is incurable but due to lack of medicine or proper medical
treatment or assistance on account of poverty. The Government cannot
always remain indifferent to this reality; it must offer some direct help
somehow for their Intended beneficiaries to feel its impact. In this context,
the bill seeks to answer, starting with this approach, the problem of iack of
medicine the cost of which is now beyond the reach of many Filipinos on
account of poverty.

The proposed bill Is mandated by the Constitutional directives that the
State shall protect and promote the right of the people to health and shail
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
with the end in view of making essential health services available to all
people at affordable cost, giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged,
the sick, the eiderly, the disabled and the women and children.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is fervently

sought.

Rep. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 4599

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
FOR THE POOR AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free Medicine
for the Poor Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby the policy of the
State to promote the right to health and well-being of the people and to
adopt a system of effecting the delivery of free medicine to those who have
less in life, giving priority to the underprivileged, the sick, the elderly, the
disabled and the poorest of the poor.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Free Medicine Assistance Program.
There Is hereby established a Free Medicine Assistance Program, hereinafter
referred to as the “Program”, to be administered by the Department of
Health (DOH) through its authorized government hospital in each particular
Congressional district, to be known as the health district, in coordination
with the Department of Social Welfere and Development (DSWD).

SECTION 4. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The program shall be limited to
etigible beneficiaries to be identified by the DOH through the goverment
hospital In the health district in coordination with the DSWD. The
implementing rules and regulations shail see to it that the intended
beneficiaries come from the ranks of the poorest of the poor, the Program
being strictly a poverty alleviation measure.

SECTION 5S. Appropriations. — There is hereby appropriated the sum
of Twenty Million Pesos (P20,000,000) for each health district to fund the
initial requirements of this Act, The National Government shail subsequently
include in the budget of the Department of Health in the General
Appropriations Act such amount as me be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.

SECTION 6. Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, jointly with the
DSWD, shail prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to
carry out the provision of this Act within six (6) months from the effectivity
thereof.


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, orders,
decrees, including rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby
repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act
shalt be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following this publication in one (1) national newspaper of general
dreulation.

Approved,