Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF TIVES
HB. No.

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
TO REQUIRE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
TO HAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution in Article 2, Section 13 provides that:

Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of
the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public
and civic affairs.

The importance of medical and dental records cannot be overemphasized.
These records serve as the basis for treatment and diagnosis of patients. In extreme
cases, these records can be used to identify persons who are bumed beyond
recognition, Even our Labor Code in its Implementing Rules, Section 10 (b) provides
that the employer shall maintain a record of all medical examinations, treatments and

medical activities given to its employees.


In the Philippines, we do not have a system of keeping track of our people's
medical and dental records. Since majority of our people go to elementary and
secondary schools, whether private or public, our schools can serve as the database
collection center for medical and dental records. This bill aims to address the problem

of the absence of sources of medical and dental records of our people!

H. HARRY L ROQUE JR.

' This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the Sixteenth Congress
‘Third Regular Session

2


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

a oe NREPRESEAQ TIVES

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
TO REQUIRE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
TO HAVE MEDICAL AND DENTAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS

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

Section |, Medical and Dental Records Requirement. - All elementary and
secondary schools, public or private, shall be required to have a database of their
students medical and dental records upon the student's entrance in such schools and
upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed by the Secretary of Health in
regulations, provided that such regulations shall require that the records be updated at
least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An
examination and health history of any child may be required by the local school
authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such
child. The medical and dental records shall be attached in a file that contains the

student's academic records,


SECTION 2. Valid Issuers of Medical and Denial Certificates. - Each
certificate in the medical and dental records shall be signed by a duly licensed
physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, in case of the medical certificate
and a dentist in case of the dental certificate, who is authorized to practice in the
jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided that the Secretary of Health
has determined that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice

comparable to those of the Philippines.

SECTION 3. When Examination Should be Made. - Each such certificate shall
describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not
be more than twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year in
which the examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit

condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public or private schools.

SECTION 4. Source of the Medical and Dental Records. - The student has the
choice of submitting to the school his medical and dental certificate which came from
a legitimate source as prescribed in the preceding sections or be examined by the
medical practitioner assigned in the school where he is to be enrolled. If such student
does not present a health certificate as required in this section, unless he or she has
been accommodated on religious grounds, the principal or the principal’s designee
shall cause a notice to be sent to the parents or person in parental relationship to such

student that an examination will be made of such student, as provided in this Act.

SECTION 5. Respect for Religious Beliefs. - Notwithstanding the provisions of

this Act, no examinations for a medical or dental certificate or medical or dental


history shall be required where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to
such student objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations or health history

conflict with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs,

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other

provisions hereof.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order or rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly

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

circulation,

Approved.