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USE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE: pate
Quezon City
TINE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS By:
First Regular Session

REGISTRATIONUNIT
House Bill No._ 30°75 | BILLS AND INDEX stavicr

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Health concerns that are generally associated with women in the 21% Century
include, but are not limited to, menopausal and peri-menopausal transition, cervical
and breast cancer, osteoporosis; and the issues on anti-aging, which includes the
quest for longevity.

Hence, health assessment and annual or regular examination which are
fundamental parts of medical care and considered as vital in popularizing preventive
practices should be prioritized by the government. The concept is crucial as it
endeavors to recognize risk factors for diseases which would lead to proper
identification of medical conflicts. Ideally, regular assessment or examination should
include screening, evaluation and counseling, as well as immunizations based on age
and risk factors.

A woman's annual visit to her doctor would provide her with an excellent
opportunity to be counseled about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing health
risks.

Through the years, it has been discovered that age and risk in women
pertaining to certain diseases vary in their level of seriousness and capacity to be
treated. Thus, it is imperative that the public, together with the medical world, to
understand the importance of preventive practice; thereby enabling at risk women of
all ages, to seek medical assistance at the earliest opportunity or even before that. In
essence, this bill aims to facilitate increased access to women's health care by
improving their well-being and minimizing their inclination to develop a particular
disease or condition.

The purpose of this bill is in accord with Article 2, Section 15 of the 1987
Philippine Constitution, which provides:
“Sec. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health
of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”


Itis also the intention of this bill to raise awareness on the importance of health
preventive practices. In the process, there would be a campaign that shall involve the
media in the dissemination of information as provided in Section 3 of the bill. Such will
entail the creation of a website to be maintained and updated of the Department of
Health, in consultation with private sector experts, or through a contract with a private
entity, including a medical association or non-profit organization.

Be that as it may, we can never quantify the role and importance of women in
our society. Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 80°75
Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL PUBLIC OUTREACG AND EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WOMEN’S PREVENTIVE
HEALTH

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Women's
Preventive Health Awareness Campaign Act.”

SECTION 2. Women’s Preventive Health Awareness Campaign. - The
Department of Health (DOH) shall provide for the planning and implementation of a
national public outreach and education campaign to raise public awareness, including
health provider awareness, of women's preventive health. Such campaign shall
include the media campaign and the creation and maintenance of a website under
Sections 3 and 5, respectively, of this Act and shall provide for the dissemination of
information that:

a. Describes the guidelines for women's preventive services, including
recommendations on cervical cancer prevention;

b. Promotes well-women visits for health assessments which include
screenings, evaluations, counseling, immunizations, and prenatal visits, as
appropriate; and

c. Explains the women’s preventive service programs of the government
and other preventive services that may be availed of from private health institutions.

SECTION 3. Media Campaign. — Not later than one (1) year after the date of
the enactment of this Act. As part of the campaign under Section 2 herein, the DOH
shall establish and implement a national media campaign.

SECTION 4. Requirements of the Media Campaign. - The campaign
implemented under Section 3 of this Act:

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a. Shall disseminate information about the updated guidelines for women’s
preventive services described in Section 2 (a); promote well-women visits described
in Section 2 (b); and provide information on the women’s preventive services
described in Section 2 (c); and

b. May include the use of television, radio, internet and other commercial
marketing venues.

SECTION 5. Website. — As part of the campaign under Section 2 of this Act,
the DOH shall, in consultation with private sector experts or through contract with a
private entity including a medical association or non-profit organization, maintain and
update an internet website to provide information and resources about the updated
guidelines for women's preventive services.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - Such sums as may be necessary for the
implementation of this Act is hereby appropriated.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — |f any provision or part thereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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