Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1550

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure seeks to address the disadvantaged position of Filipino
women, due to their unique physical make-up, by establishing an office on women's
health within the Department of Health in order to:

(a) Establish short-range and long-range goals and objectives and coordinate all
activities within the Department of Health that relate to disease prevention, health
promotion, service delivery, research and public health care professional education
concerning women;

(b) Provide expert advice and consultation to the Secretary concerning scientific,
legal, ethical and policy issues relating to women's health; and

(c) Monitor the Department of Health offices, agencies, and regional activities
regarding women's health, and coordinate and stimulate activities of such department
agency and offices on women's health.

Apparently, there are specific types of disease, disorder and condition that are
peculiar to or more prevalent of women, thus, the kind of medical attention required are
also different for them.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought.

flats, Fictismmr
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

Representative, 1st District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 1550

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Women's Health
Office Act.”

SECTION 2. Definition . - As used in this section, the term "women health
conditions", with respect to women of all age, ethnic and racial groups, means all
diseases, disorders, and conditions -

(A) Unique to, more serious, or more prevalent in women; and

(B) For which the factors of medical risk or type of medical intervention are
different for women.

SECTION 3. Health Office in Women's health. — There shall be established
within the Office of the Secretary an Office on Women’ Health , hereafter referred to in
this section as the “Office’. The Office shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary in ex
officio capacity.

SECTION 4. Duties - The Office shall, with respect to the health concerns of
women -

(A) Establish short-range and long range goals and objectives and coordinate all
activities with the Department of Health that relate to disease prevention, health
promotion, service delivery, research, and public and health care professional
education concerning women;

(B) Provide expert advice and consultation to the Secretary concerning scientific,
legal, ethical, and policy issues relating to women’s health;

(C) Monitor the Department of Health Coordinating Committee on Women's Health to
be chaired by an Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health which shall be
composed of senior level representatives from each of the agencies and office of
the Department of Health;

(D) Establish a Department of Health Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health to
be chaired by an Assistant Secretary for Women's Health which shall be
composed of senior level representatives from each of the agencies and offices of
the Department of Health;

(E) Establish a National Women's Health Information Center to —

(1) Facilitate the exchange of information regarding matters relating health
information and health promotion, preventive health services, research
advances and education in the appropriate use of health care


(2) Facilitate access to such information;

(3) Assist in the analysis of issues and problems relating to the matters
described in this paragraph; and

(4) Provide technical assistance with respect to the exchange of information,
including facilitating the development of materials for such technical
assistance;

(F) Coordinate efforts to promote women’s health programs and policies in the private
sector;

(G) Through publications and any other means appropriate, provide for the exchange
of information between members of the Office, grantees of the office, and the
general public;

(H) Determine the current Agency level of activity regarding women's health, across

age, biological, and socio-cultural context, in all aspects of the Department's work,

including drafting technical practice guidelines, and conducting research into
patient outcomes, delivery of health care-services, and access to health care;

Establish short-range and long range goals and objectives for research important

to women's health and coordinate all other activities within the Department that

relate to health services and medical effectiveness research;

(J) Identify projects in women’s health that should be conducted or supported by the
Department;

(K) Consult with health professionals, non-governmental organizations, consumer's
organizations, women’s health professionals, and other individuals and groups, as
appropriate, on the Department's policy with regard to women; and

(L) Identify the need for such research, and make an estimate each fiscal year of the
funds needed to adequately support the research.

0

SECTION 5. Grants and Contracts Regarding Duties. — In carrying out the
Office's duties, the Secretary, acting through the Office, may make grants to, and enter
into cooperative agreements, contracts, and interagency agreements with public and
non-profit entities, agencies, and organizations.

SECTION 6. Evaluation and Dissemination. — The Office shall directly or through
contracts with public and private entities, agencies, and organization, provide for
evaluations of projects carried out with financial assistance provided under the
preceding section and for the dissemination of information developed as a result of
Such projects.

SECTION 7. Reports — Not later than January 31, of each year, the Secretary
shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing
the activities carries out under this Act during the period for which the report is being
prepared

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid
‘or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affect ted shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, ruile or regulation contrary to
or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at lest two 92) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,