Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EPR,
c nd

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2653

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS IN RURAL AREAS WITH TRAINING
IN PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
CARE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 15, of the Constitution declares that “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.” A long string of challenges, however, prevent the aforementioned policy from
being fully carried out. Among the challenges for the country's health care system are
the: (1) retention of medical staff, particularly in rural settings; (2) provision of health
care to isolated groups; and (3) prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
It is in this light that this measure seeks to allow the Department of Health to enter into
contracts for preventive health care training of rural health care practitioners.

This bill seeks to respond to our rural communities’ need for quality health care
and disease prevention programs. This measure encourages  interdisciplinary
preventive training of rural health care providers. Through such training, rural health
care providers can build a strong educational foundation from the behavioral, biological,
and psychological sciences. The distress caused by poor health is immense and gets
compounded. The huge financial burden redounds from individuals to families to
government.


The intent of this measure rests on the premise that implementing preventive
health services will protect the community from huge potential psychological and
financial quandary in the long run.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLO#IA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur econd District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __ 2653

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS IN RURAL AREAS WITH TRAINING
IN PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL
CARE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be known as the “Rural Preventive
Health Care Training Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Preventive Health Care Training. - The Secretary of the
Department of Health (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary) may enter into contracts
with universities and private organizations to provide preventive health care training to
health care practitioners practicing in rural areas such as in the Rural Health Units
(RHUS) and Barangay Health Stations. Such training shall, to the extent practicable,
include training in health care to prevent both physical and mental disorders before the
initial occurrence of such disorders; and interdisciplinary training project applications
such as those that draw from the behavioral, biological, and psychological sciences.

SECTION 3. Use of Assistance. — Amounts received under contract entered into
under this Act shall be used -

a. to provide student stipends to individuals attending rural community colleges
or other institutions that service predominantly rural communities, for the purpose
of enabling the individuals to receive preventive health care training;


b. to increase staff support at rural community colleges or other institutions that
service predominantly rural communities to facilitate the provision of preventive
health care training;

c. to provide training in appropriate research and program evaluation skills in
rural communities;

d. to create and implement innovative programs and curricula with a specific
prevention component; and

e. for other purposes as the Secretary determines to be appropriate

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health
(DOH) shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective
enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Appropriation. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be taken out from the appropriations of the Department of Health.
Thereafter, such amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. 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,

SECTION 7. 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.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,