Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
CREATING A NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL 
CANCER INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines. It claims one death in every two new 
cases each year, affects 189 persons per 100,000 Filipinos, and kills 103 Filipinos a day or 4 Filipinos 
per hour. The mortality rate of cancer in the country has increased in the past three (3) decades. 
This trend may continue unless organized, sustained, and specialized as well as preventive measures 
against cancer are initiated the soonest as possible time. 
This bill, which has been refiled from the 18th Congress, seeks to create a National Cancer Institute 
in the Philippines to continue the advocacy and noble cause for the people through legislation 
intended to provide measures for cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. 
The creation of the National Cancer Institute of the Philippines is consistent with the policy of the 
State in protecting and promoting the right to health of the people and instilling health consciousness 
among them (Section 15, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution). 
To fully implement the policy of the State, this bill seeks to provide for the centralization of planning, 
programs, and activities related to the prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, and treatment 
of cancer. Also, the centralization applies to the conduct of research relevant to malignant diseases, 
the assignment or distribution of such research activities, and the dissemination or application of 
beneficial research results. The establishment of a network for regional treatment and research 
centers is included to effectively realize the spirit of centralization defined in this bill. Thus, there 
will be prevention in duplication of efforts, reduction in costs, and enable a comprehensive view of 
the cancer-affected sectors as well as identification of a more appropriate assignment of priorities 
on programs/activities/fund allocation. 
More importantly, the establishment of regional cancer centers concretizes the initiative of the 
government to make specialized health services readily available to people particularly those outside 
Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. 
August 22, 2022
10:22 am
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When enacted into law and properly implemented, the various regional cancer centers manned by 
highly competent and qualified staff including fully equipped facilities will foster the availability of 
cancer treatment. As a result, the supply of and demand for treatment as well as services will be 
reduced thereby patients can receive treatment and services with minimal costs. 
Economically, the enactment of this legislation will increase the inflow of medical tourists and 
medical workers from developing countries seeking training. It will also result in the expansion of 
local hospice care for cancer patients and an increase in exportable medical/health workers who are 
skilled in cancer treatment. More importantly, there will be a significant increase in tax revenue as 
there will be an increase in the income of the individual/regional/national medical sector. Thus, the 
tax revenue collected will be used in continuing the modernization of the country’s cancer-related 
services and facilities envisioned in this bill. 
Given the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
CREATING A NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL 
CANCER INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “The National Cancer Institute Act of 2022.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. – It is hereby declared as further 
policy and principles of the State to: 
(a) Promote specialized, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive cancer research, dissemination,
and/or utilization of the results of the research and development including the formulation,
updating, and implementation of a comprehensive cancer control plan to overcome cancer;
(b) Promote the improvement of an environment for the prompt evaluation and approval of
drugs/medical devices that are highly needed in cancer treatment, through the linkage with
the Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department
of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned agencies;
(c) Enhance cancer prevention through education, and information dissemination to the public
by health care professionals and institutions;
(d) Encourage evidence-based early detection, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer;
(e) Enable cancer patients to receive appropriate treatment based on scientific knowledge;
(f) Establish a system that provided equitable distribution of medical cancer care in which the
treatment is chosen and administered according to the situation of the patient regardless of
financial capability;
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(g) Promote palliative care including pain management, hospice care, and other measures to 
improve the quality of life of cancer patients even terminal ones; and 
 
(h) Support the rehabilitation of cancer patients through comprehensive programs including 
assisting cancer survivors. 
 
SECTION 3. National Cancer Advisory Board. – There is hereby created the National Cancer 
Advisory Board, to be composed of fifteen (15) members as follows: 
 
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), the Secretary of the Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Health Research and 
Development (PCHRD), and the Director of the National Institute of Health as ex-officio 
members of the board. 
 
(b) Twelve (12) members are appointed by the President of the Philippines upon 
recommendation through a careful selection process. The scientists and physicians appointed 
to the Board shall be persons who are among the country’s leading scientific or medical 
authorities and who are outstanding in the study, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer or fields 
related thereto. Each appointed member of the Board shall, by his or her training experience 
and background is qualified to appraise the programs of the National Cancer Institute. The 
appointed members shall receive an honorarium of not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(Php50,000.00) per attendance at the Board’s meeting, while the ex-officio members shall 
receive per diem compensation. 
 
(1) Appointed members shall serve for four (4) years. Any vacancy shall be filled by 
appointment by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the National 
Cancer Advisory Board. 
(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for 
which his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the remainder of such term. 
(3) Appointed members shall be eligible for reappointment and may serve after the 
expiration of their terms until their successors have assumed office. 
(4) A vacancy in the Board shall not affect its activities and eight members, including the ex-
officio members, therefore shall constitute a quorum. 
 
SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the National Cancer Advisory Board. – The Board 
shall have the following powers and functions: 
 
(a) The regular members of the Board shall elect among themselves a Chairman who shall be 
the presiding officer of the Board. 
 
(b) The Board shall elect from among themselves the Director of the National Cancer Institute 
who shall also serve as Vice Chairman of the Board. 
 


(c) The Board shall formulate policies and adopt measures, including the formulation of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations, which are necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
(d) The Board shall meet at the call of the Director of the National Cancer Institute or the 
Chairman, not less than once a month, and shall advise and assist the Director of the National 
Cancer Institute concerning the National Cancer Program. 
 
(e) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall designate a member of the staff of the 
Institute to act as Executive Secretary of the Board.  
 
(f) The Board shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer Programs 
formulated, updated, and improved by the NCI and shall report directly to the President. Any 
delays or blockages in the rapid execution of the Programs shall immediately be brought to 
the attention of the President. 
 
(g) The Board may hold such hearings, take such testimony and sit and act at such times and 
places as the Board deems advisable to investigate programs and activities of the National 
Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute. 
 
(h) The Board shall submit to the President periodic progress reports on the Program. Annual 
evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions for improvements shall be 
submitted for transmittal to the Congress of the Philippines not later than January 31 of each 
year. 
 
(i) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall make available to the Board such staff, 
information, and other assistance as it may require in carrying out its activities. 
 
SECTION 5. National Cancer Institute. – There is hereby established a National Cancer Institute 
which shall compile date, conduct, and coordinate research, investigations, experiments, and studies 
relating to the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. This Institute shall assist and foster similar 
research activities by other institutions and organizations, public and private, including individuals. 
The institute is furthermore established to promote coordination and all such research and the useful 
application of their results with a view to the development and prompt widespread use of the most 
effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Linkages with the National 
Institutes of Health and the Department of Science and Technology through the Philippine Council 
for Health Research and Development will be coordinated to avoid overlap of projects. 
 
SECTION 6. Director of the National Cancer Institute. –  
 
(a) The Director of the National Cancer Institute coordinates all activities of the Department of 
Health and other of other Departments of government and non-governmental agencies or 
institutes relating to cancer and the National Cancer Program. 
 


(b) In formulating the National Cancer Program, the Director of the National Cancer Institute 
shall: 
 
(1) With the advice of the National Cancer Advisory Board, plan and develop the National 
Cancer Program, including an expanded intensified, and coordinated cancer research 
program encompassing the programs of the National Cancer Institute, related programs 
of the other research institutes, and other national and local, private and public cancer 
programs. 
 
(2) Expeditiously utilize the existing research facilities and personnel of the Department of 
Health, the Department of Science and Technology through the PCHRD, and the 
University of the Philippines National Institute for Health for accelerated exploration of 
opportunities in areas of specific promise. 
 
(3) Encourage and coordinate cancer research by industrial concerns where such concerns 
evidence a particular capability for such research. 
 
(4) Collect, analyze and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and 
treatment of cancer, including the establishment of an international cancer research data 
bank to collect, catalog, store and disseminate insofar as feasible the results of cancer 
research undertaken in any country for the use of any person involved in cancer research 
in any country. 
(5) Establish or support the large-scale production or distribution of specialized biological 
materials and other therapeutic substances for research and set standards of safety and 
care for persons using such materials. 
 
(6) Support research in the cancer field outside the country by highly qualified foreign 
nationals whose research can be expected to redound to the benefit of the Filipino 
people; support collaborative research involving foreign participants, and support the 
training of Filipino scientists abroad and foreign scientists in the country.  
 
(7) Support appropriate manpower programs of training in fundamental sciences and clinical 
disciplines to provide an expanded and continuing manpower base from which to select 
investigators, physicians, and allied health professions personnel, for participation in 
clinical and basic research and treatment programs relating to cancer including where 
appropriate the use of training stipends fellowships and career awards.  
 
(8) Call special meetings of the National Cancer Advisory Board at such times and in such 
places as the Director deems necessary to consult with, obtain advice from, or secure 
the approval of projects, programs, or other actions to be undertaken without delay to 
gain maximum benefit from a new scientific or technical; finding. 
 
(9) Prepare and submit, directly to the President of the Philippines for review and transmittal 
to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the National Cancer Program, after a 


reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by the Secretary of Health, 
the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Advisory Board; 
and receive from the President and the Department of Budget and Management directly 
all funds appropriated by Congress for obligation and expenditure by the National Cancer 
Institute.  
 
SECTION 7. National Cancer Research and Demonstration Centers. –  
 
(a) A National Cancer Research Center is hereby established in each metropolitan city in the 
country and one in the National Capital Region for clinical research, training, and 
demonstration of advanced preventive, diagnostic, and treatment methods relating to 
cancer. 
 
(b) The National Cancer Research Centers in the metropolitan cities and the National Capital 
Region are hereby further designated as Regional Cancer Centers and shall perform the 
functions and assume the responsibilities of Cancer Centers as defined in Section 9 of this 
Act.  
 
(c) The director of the National Cancer Institutes, under policies established by the Director of 
the National Institutes of Health, the PCHRD, and the DOST and after consultation with the 
National Cancer Advisory Board, is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with 
public or private non-profit agencies or institutions to pay all or part of the cost of planning, 
establishing, or including but not limited to centers established for clinical research training 
and demonstration of advance diagnostics and treatment methods relating to cancer.  
 
Such payment under this subsection in support of such cooperative agreements may be used 
for: 
 
(1) construction of the designated center; 
 
(2) staffing and other basic operating costs, including such patient care costs as required 
for research;  
 
(3) training including training for allied health professions personnel; and  
 
(4) demonstration purposes;  
 
Support of a center under this section may be for a period of not to exceed three (3) years and may 
be extended by the Director of the National Cancer Institute for additional periods of not more than 
three years each, after review and recommendation of the operations of the such center by an 
appropriate scientific review group established by the Director of the National Cancer Institute. 
 


SECTION 8. Cancer Control Programs. – The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall 
establish programs as necessary for cooperation with national and other health agencies in the 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. 
 
Such programs to be established should give priority to the following: 
 
(a) A financial subsidy given to indigent patients, upon qualification, to cover the expenses of 
all necessary laboratory tests and other related examinations during the diagnosis as well 
as the expenses needed for treatment of cancer; 
 
(b) A financial subsidy to be given to non-governmental cancer support groups in recognition of 
and to facilitate the continuity of the programs they have for cancer patients as well as for 
their families especially in coping and dealing with circumstances, However, only recognized 
and duly organized support group shall be granted a subsidy by the Implementing Rules 
and Regulations of this Act; 
 
(c) An independent support group shall be established as a standing program to augment the 
emotional support needed by cancer patients including their families in dealing and coping 
with the circumstances through regular inspirational and motivational sessions with cancer 
survivors and family members who have experienced having a relative similarly afflicted 
with cancer. 
 
SECTION 9. Cancer Center. – (a) It is established by the Regional Cancer Center for each region 
in the country and will coordinate with the National Cancer Institute through its executive chief 
officer. 
 
The respective Cancer Centers are established to carry out the function of administering the National 
Cancer Program as developed by the National Cancer Institute after consultation with the National 
Cancer Advisory Board. 
 
 
(1) The Regional Cancer Centers shall be respectively administered by the head of the Regional 
Department of Health Offices as executive chief officer of the Regional Cancer Center under a 
national central executive chief officer designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health 
among his undersecretaries. The regional cancer centers will coordinate with the National Cancer 
Institute. 
 
(2) The administrative staff comprising each respective cancer center shall be provided for under 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be formulated by the National Cancer Advisory 
Board.  
 
(b) The National Cancer Institute through the Director shall oversee each cancer center in the 
country, and upon approval by the National Cancer Advisory Board, through a Board Resolution, is 
hereby authorized to: 
 


(1) Obtain the services of not more than fifty (50) experts or consultants who have scientific or 
professional qualifications to be designated in each regional cancer center and national 
cancer center; 
 
(2) Acquire, construct, improve, repair, operate and maintain cancer centers, laboratories, 
research, and other necessary facilities and equipment and related accommodations as may 
be necessary, and such other real or personal property including patents as the Director 
deems necessary; 
 
(3) Appoint one or more advisory committees composed of such private citizens and officials of 
the local governments as he deems desirable to advise him concerning his function; 
 
(4) Utilize, with their consent the services, equipment, personnel, information, and facilities of 
other local public agencies with or without reimbursement, therefore;  
 
(5) Accept voluntary and uncompensated services;  
 
(6) Accept unconditional gifts or donations of services, money or property, real personal, or 
mixed tangible or intangible;  
 
(7) Enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be 
necessary for the conduct of his functions, with any public agency or with any person, firm, 
association, corporation, or educational institution; and 
 
(8) Take necessary action to ensure that all channels for the dissemination and exchange of 
scientific knowledge and information are maintained between the National Cancer Institute 
and other scientific, medical, and biomedical disciplines and organizations nationally and 
internationally  
 
SECTION 10. Presidential Cancer Panel. – (a) There is hereby established the President’s 
Cancer Panel which shall be composed of three (3) persons appointed by the President, who by 
their training, experience, and background are exceptionally qualified to appraise the National 
Cancer Program. At least two (2) of the members of the Panel shall be distinguished scientists or 
physicians, recommended by the Director of the National Cancer Institute.  
 
(b) Members of the Panel shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that in case of two of the 
members first appointed, one shall be appointed for one year and one shall be appointed for a term 
of two years, as designated by the President at the time of appointment, and any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed 
shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. 
 
(1) The president shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman for a term of one 
year. 
 


(2) Members of the Panel shall be each entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay in effect for salary grade 20 of the General Schedule for each day during which 
they are engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Panel, and shall be 
allowed travel expenses including a per diem allowance. 
 
(c) The Panel shall meet at the call of the Chairman but not less often than twelve times a year. A 
transcript shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting of the Panel, and the Chairman shall 
make a such transcript available to the public. 
 
(d) The Panel shall monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer Program under 
this section, and shall report directly to the President. Any delays or blockages in the rapid execution 
of the Program shall immediately be brought to the attention of the President. The Panel shall 
immediately be brought to the President. The Panel shall submit to the President periodic progress 
reports on the Program and annually an evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions 
for improvements and shall submit such other reports as the President shall direct. At the request 
of the President, it shall submit for his consideration a list of names of persons for consideration for 
appointment as Director of the National Cancer Institute. 
 
SECTION 11. Scientific Review and Reports on Cancer. – (a) The Director of the National 
Cancer Institute shall, by regulation, provide for proper scientific review of all research grants and 
programs over which he has authority by utilizing, to the maximum extent possible, appropriate 
peer review groups establish within the National Institute of Health of the University of the 
Philippines and composed principally of scientists and other experts in the scientific and disease 
fields, and when appropriate, by establishing, with the approval of the National Cancer Advisory 
Board and the Director of the National Institute of Health, other formal peer review groups as may 
be required.  
 
(b) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each 
calendar year, prepare in consultation with the National Cancer Advisory Board and submit to the 
President for transmittal to Congress a report on the activities, progress, and accomplishments under 
the National Cancer Program during the preceding calendar year and a plan for the Program during 
the next five (5) years. 
 
SECTION 12. Appropriation of Funds. – The initial fund for FIFTY MILLION PESOS for the 
establishment of the National Cancer Institute including the initial implementation of its programs 
shall be appropriated from the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
(PAGCOR) and shall be directly remitted to a special account of the National Cancer Institute. 
Thereafter, for the continued implementation of this Act, such sums shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.  
 
SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The National Cancer Advisory Board 
with the involvement of the stakeholders shall start to establish the committee that will promulgate 
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days from its approval of this 
Act. 


 
SECTION 14. Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Congressional 
Oversight Committee composed of five (5) members of the Senate and five (5) members of the 
House of Representatives. The members of the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President 
based on the proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least one (1) 
member representing the Minority. The Members from the House of Representatives shall be 
appointed by the Speaker, also based on the proportional representation of the parties or coalitions 
therein with the respective Chairs of the House Committees on Health and Science and Technology, 
and at least one (1) member representing the Minority. 
 
The Committee shall be headed by the respective Chairs of the Senate Committees on Health and 
Science and Technology, and the House of Representatives Committees on Health and Science and 
Technology. The Secretariat of the Congressional Oversight Committee shall come from the existing 
Secretariat personnel of the Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives concerned.  
 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provision/s not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, regulations, or 
parts or provisions thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.  
 
SECTION 17. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of 
its publication in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,