SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S. B. NO. 1424
Senate-
o f tl)f
*17 HAY-2 P2S0
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR 
DIABETES AND ENDOCRINOLOGY 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2000, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) said that by 2025, 
there would be 320 million diabetics globally. However, in its 2015 Diabetes 
Atlas, the IDF reported that there were already 415 million diabetics aged 20- 
79. Clearly, diabetes is exceeding projected rates and growing around the 
world1. The IDF estimated that by 2040, the global figure will rise to 642 
million -  or one in 10 adults, if there is no appropriate response to resolve the 
growing diabetes epidemic around the world (IDF).
In the Philippines, at least 6 million Filipinos have been diagnosed to 
have diabetes but the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, 
warned that this figure could reach 12 million or even more by 2040 because 
of undiagnosed diabetes cases2. The Philippines’ 2013 National Health and 
Nutrition Survey (NNHeS) revealed that diabetes is a major risk factor among 
Filipino adults s 20 years of age with a prevalence rate of 5.4% (Paz-Pacheco 
and Jimeno, 2015)3.
1 “The Philippines is now a diabetes hotspot” by Vaughn Alviar available at http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/225706/the-philippines-is- 
now-a-diabetes-hotspot/
2 “6 m illion Pinoys have diabetes" by Philippine Daily Inquirer available at httD://newsinfo.inQuirer net/805812/6m-Dinovs-have-
diabeles//ixzz4ccdT isbs
3 “ Diabetes Care in the Philippines” by Elizabeth Paz-Pacheco and Cecilia Jimeno, Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine 
Societies Volume 30, No, 2 (2015) available at http://asean-endocrineiournal.org/index,php/JAFES/arlicle/view/267/667


Worse, more and more young Filipinos are diagnosed with diabetes. 
There were reports that even five-year old children were already diagnosed 
with type 2 diabetes4. The DOH said that diabetes is one of the leading 
causes of mortality in the Philippines.
Many experts have attributed the increase of diabetic incidence in the 
Philippines to the lifestyle and culture of Filipinos and, to a great extent, to 
stress in the workplace. For example, BPO employees who work in the night 
or graveyard shift have higher risk of getting the disease according to the 
Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation. Of course, diabetic 
workers have reduced work opportunities and earning capacities (Paz- 
Pacheco and Jimeno, 2015). The DOH also mentioned that even traffic jams 
raise diabetes risk5.
Unfortunately, the IDF's diabetes scorecard for the Philippines showed 
that the low level of diabetes-related health expenditures has prevented a 
very small proportion (0.9%) of diabetes related deaths. Hence, the IDF called 
for increased funding for cost-effective diabetes prevention and treatment 
(IDF)6.
In view of the foregoing, this bill seeks to establish the Philippine 
Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE) to ensure that the full range of 
services for diabetes care, prevention and cure are given to the millions of 
Filipinos afflicted with diabetes through a more focused allocation of funding. 
The center shall also further enhance the noble undertaking of research in 
diabetes and the training of medical and technical personnel in the field of 
Endocrinology.
Diabetes care, prevention and cure should be a priority concern of the 
government because diabetes and other endocrine diseases exact a huge toll 
on our human resources. After all, the 1987 Constitution provides the duty of 
the state to secure the well-being of the people by providing them specialized 
health services. A specialized institution, similar to the Philippine Heart 
Center, the Lung Center of the Philippines and the National Kidney and 
Transplant Institute, which will focus on diabetes, 
metabolism and 
endocrinology can significantly address the worsening incidence of diabetes 
here in the Philippines and lessen the impact of diabetes and its complications 
on families, workers, healthcare system, and the economy.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested to improve 
survival rates and the quality of life of millions of Filipino diabetics.
SENATOR^EL VILLANUEVA
* 
“Philippine 
Diabetes 
Statistici", 
Philippine 
Star, 
November 
16. 
2015, 
available 
at 
http//www phllslar com/cebu-
lifestyle/2015/11/16/1522426/philippine-diabetes-statisbcs
5 “Traffic jams raise diabetes risks", Philippine Star, March 28, 2016, available at httpJ/www philstar.com/news-feature/2016/03/28/1566912/traffic- 
jams-raise-diabetes-risk
6 Philippine Scorecard is available at http J/www.idf org/sites/default/files/attachmenls/Philipplnes_Scorecard.pdf


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
^
 
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'^iTC<;r/i©ffirr o! Hip Surti flarj*
'17 HAY-2 P2S0
RECEIVcu tv.
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1424
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR 
DIABETES AND ENDOCRINOLOGY AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. 
State Policy. 
- It is the policy of the State to protect and
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promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness
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among them by providing specialized health services and research, education
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and training facility responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.
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Hence, it is the primary concern of the government to assist and provide
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material and financial assistance in the establishment of a specialty hospital
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for Filipinos suffering from diabetes and promote diabetes care, prevention
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and cure all over the country.
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SEC. 2. 
Creation o f the Philippine Center for Diabetes and
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Endocrinology. - There is hereby created a body corporate to be known as
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the Philippine Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology (PCDE), under the
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Department of Health (DOH), which shall serve as the lead tertiary-level care
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center in the screening, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
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The PCDE shall have its principal office in Metro Manila, and may have such
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branch offices, hospitals, clinics or subsidiaries in Visayas and Mindanao and
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other areas in the Philippines as it may deem proper and necessary.
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SEC. 3. Purpose and Objectives. - The PCDE shall have the following
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purposes and objectives:


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(a) To construct, establish, equip, maintain, administer and operate such 
integrated medical institution or institutions which shall provide an 
organize system of care, comprehensive and optimal treatment for 
patients with diabetes and other endocrine problems;
(b) To conduct nationwide screening and diagnosis of diabetes, obesity 
and the components of the metabolic syndrome;
(c) To promote, encourage and engage in medical and scientific research 
on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine 
diseases and gather, compile, and publish the findings of such 
researches for public dissemination;
(d) To encourage, undertake and assist conferences, fora, conventions, 
seminars, workshops and training programs for physicians, nurses, 
health officers, medical technologists, social workers and medical and 
technical personnel on the practical and scientific implementation of 
health care services to diabetic patients;
(e) To assist universities, hospitals and research institutions in their 
studies on diabetes and other endocrine diseases and other related 
fields, to encourage and grant scholarships for advanced training and 
specialization in medical care and management in diabetes and 
related fields and to support and finance 
educational 
programs 
of 
value to public health;
(f) To encourage the formation of other organizations at the national 
provincial, city and/or local levels, and to coordinate the various efforts 
and activities of such organizations for the purpose of achieving a 
more effective approach to the common problem relative to the 
purposes and objectives enumerated herein; and
(g) To encourage telemedicine by establishing networks through internet 
facilities to link physicians at the local level or barrio doctors to 
specialists who can provide inputs to care of diabetic patients, 
especially in underserved areas.
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. - For the attainment and/or furtherance of 
the above-enumerated purposes and objectives, the PCDE as a body 
corporate acting through its Board of Trustees, shall have the following 
powers and functions in addition to those provided for in the other sections of 
this Act:
(a) To acquire, own, hold, use, lease, grant, mortgage, pledge, sell, 
assign, convey, transfer, exchange, dispose or otherwise deal with, 
real and/or personal properties of every kind and nature, including 
shares of stock, bonds, debentures, notes, securities and other 
evidences of indebtedness or obligations of other corporations, 
whether domestic or foreign, and whether government or private;
(b) To solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form of 
contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and 
private sectors;


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(c) To award, enter into, make, execute, perform and carry out domestic
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or foreign contracts of whatever kind and nature;
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(d) To open accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to
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disburse such funds or invest the same as the Board may direct to
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accomplish or advance the purposes or interest of the PCDE, and to
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obtain loans, borrow funds and/or arrange financing or credit
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assistance of whatever kind and nature from all sources, whether
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domestic or foreign and whether government or private.
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(e) To levy, assess and collect such fees, charges and assessments as
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may be necessary or proper to support, finance 
and maintain its
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operations:
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(f) 
To invite diabetes specialists and similar experts in the various
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medical fields to train the personnel or trainees or residents of the
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PCDE and to also support the trainings, seminars, conferences and
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conventions of its medical personnel in research and medical
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institutes or universities, be it local or international as the Board may
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deem necessary and in line with the principles of the Philippine
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Qualifications Framework (PQF), to accomplish the purposes and
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objectives of the PCDE;
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(g) To adopt and use a corporate seal;
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(h) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
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(i) To adopt its by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law of
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the provisions hereof to govern the administration and operation of the
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affairs of the PCDE; and
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(j) To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary,
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related or incidental or to carry out the purposes and objectives of this
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Act.
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SEC. 5. The Board of Trustees; Composition; Term and Compensation. -
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The PCDE shall be governed, and its activities and properties shall be
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directed, controlled and managed, by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter
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referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of a Chairperson and six
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(6) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of the
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Philippines.
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At least one (1) member shall come from the Philippine Society of
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Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEM) and at least one (1) from
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the academe.
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The Chairman of the PCDE shall be appointed from among the members of
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the Board.
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Except the President of the PCDE, the members of the Board shall serve for a
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term of three (3) years, with a right to hold-over until their respective
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successors shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The President of the
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Philippines may, however, remove any member of the Board for cause.


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Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Board, the person appointed to fill the
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vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member replaced.
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Except the President of the PCDE, each member of the Board shall receive
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compensation in accordance with current standards set by the Department of
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Budget and Management (DBM) and as may be determined by the
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Department of Health (DOH).
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SEC. 6. Power and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the 
following powers and functions:
(a) To formulate policies, guidelines and programs to effectively 
implement and carry out the purposes and objectives of this Act;
(b) To prescribe, review and revise the amount of the fees, charges, and 
assessments levied and collected for the support and maintenance of 
the operations of the PCDE;
(c) To control the management, operation and administration of PCDE;
(d) To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or 
proper for the effective exercise of power and functions as well as the 
discharge of the duties, responsibilities of the PCDE, its officers and 
employees;
(e) To authorize such expenditures of the PCDE as may be necessary or 
proper for the effective management, operation and administration of 
the PCDE;
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To adopt the annual and supplemental budget of receipts and 
expenditures of the PCDE.
(g) To appoint, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the Executive 
Vice-President and other officers of the PCDE occupying executive 
and senior management positions;
SEC. 7. Officers of the PCDE. The Board shall determine the officers of the 
PCDE who shall be appointed by the President of the PCDE subject to 
confirmation by the Board. The PCDE may have an Executive Vice-President 
and such Vice-Presidents and Assistant Vice-Presidents as may be required 
for the effective operation of the PCDE.
SEC. 8. The President, His Term and Remuneration. The President of the 
PCDE shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of the President 
of the Philippines. The salary of the President of the PCDE shall be fixed by 
the Board, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
SEC. 9. Powers and Duties of the President. The President of the PCDE 
shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the PCDE. He shall exercise the 
following powers and duties;


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(a) To execute the policies, guidelines and programs approved by the 
Board, and to be responsible for the efficient discharge of management 
and operational functions;
(b) To submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed 
measures, policies, guidelines and programs as he may deem 
necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the purposes 
and objectives of this Act;
(c) To direct and supervise the management, operation and administration 
of the PCDE, and, for this purpose, he/she may delegate any or some 
of his/her administrative responsibilities and duties to the other officers 
of the PCDE;
(d) To execute, on behalf of the PCDE, all contracts and agreements 
which the PCDE may enter into, and to execute, accomplish and 
deliver any and all documents relative to such contracts and 
agreements;
(e) To represent the PCDE in all dealing with other offices, agencies and 
instrumentalities of the Government, and all other persons or entities, 
whether domestic or foreign and whether government or private;
(f) To appoint, promote, transfer, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline 
the officers and employees of the PCDE, except those appointed by 
the Board;
(g) To exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be 
vested or reposed upon him by the Board.
SEC. 10. Assistance from the Government. - The PCDE may call upon 
any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government, 
including government-owned or controlled corporations, local government 
units, and state universities and colleges for such assistance as it may need 
in the pursuit of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
SEC. 
Authority of the President in Emergencies.- In case of 
emergencies which require immediate action by the Board, and there is no 
sufficient time to call a meeting thereof, the President of the PCDE, with the 
concurrence of any three (3) other members of the Board, may decide on any 
matter or take any action within the authority of the Board itself.
SEC. 12. Donations to the PCDE. The PCDE is hereby authorized to solicit 
and receive donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments from all 
sources whether foreign or domestic, and whether government or private, 
without the need of securing a permit, approval or registration from any 
government agency.
SEC. 13. Exemption from Fees, Duties and Taxes. - The PCDE is hereby 
declared exempt from all income and all other internal revenue taxes, tariff


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and customs duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges and
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assessments levied by the Government and its political subdivisions agencies
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and instrumentalities. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all
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donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments which may be made by
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entities or persons to the PCDE shall be exempt from income and gift taxes,
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and the same shall be further deductible in full for purposes of computing the
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maximum amount deductible under the National Internal Revenue Code of
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1997, as amended.
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SEC. 14. Government Contribution. - The amount of Ten Billion Pesos 
(PI 0,000,000,090.00) is hereby appropriated from the Philippine Amusement 
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to defray the initial operational expenses 
of the PCDE. Thereafter, the necessary amount to support the continued 
operation and maintenance of the PCDE shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act.
SEC. 15. Annual Report. -  The PCDE, through its President, shall render to 
the President and both houses of Congress annual reports on its 
accomplishments and activities.
SEC. 16. Applicability of the Corporation Law. - The provisions of the 
general corporation law, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act and with the purposes and objectives for which the 
PCDE is formed, shall apply to the PCDE.
SEC. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The President, in close 
coordination with the DON, DOST, NEDA, UP-PGH, and other stakeholders 
such as the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM) and 
shall within sixty (60) days from the date of the effectivity of this Act, 
promulgate and publish the rules and regulations for the effective and faithful 
implementation of this Act, Provided, that the failure of the promulgation of 
said rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act 
upon its effectivity.
SEC. 18. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
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Approved,