THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
, 
SENATE 
S. No. 
I 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VELAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Ahicle 13, Section 11, mandates the State to give priority to the needs 
of women. To cany out this mandate, the State should undertake appropriate research focusing 
on women's health which shall be responsive to their needs and responsibilities. 
Women have peculiar needs and responsibilities. Women are more exposed to diseases 
and danger as they get prekant and give birth. Studies show that women who give birth are more 
susceptible to pregnancy-related and childbirth-related complications, especially if the women 
are either too young or too ;old, or if the pregnancies and child bearing have been too many or 
closely-spaced. 
Because of the responsibilities of women in this society, they have heavier and more 
tiring workloads. Women, aside from doing income-generating work, also have to perform such 
other responsibilities as child rearing, community work and housework, which often fall solely 
on them. Hence, there is a probability that they get tired more and so may have lower resistance 
to infections. 
Taking into account the needs of women arising from the role that they play in this 
society, this bill seeks to establish the Office of Research on Women's Health which shall 
conduct research on women's health and shall provide the appropriate and quality care to women. 
n 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
.. 
"04 Juri 30 P8 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
. S. NO. 
22 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON WOMEN'S HEALTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Research on 
Philippines in Congress 
Women's 
Health Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State-to give priority to the needs of 
women. Taking into account the inherent disparity between men and women, the State shall 
undertake a research focusing on women's health which shall be responsive to the needs of every 
woman 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
(B) "Women's health conditions" shall refer to all diseases, disorders, and conditions- 
(i) Unique to, more serious, or more prevalent in women; 
(ii) For which the factors of medical risk or types of medical intervention are different for 
women, or for which it is unknown whether such factors or types are different for women; or 
(iii) With respect to which there has been insufficient clinical research involving women 
as subjects or insufficient clinical data on women. 
(C) "Research on womenk health" shall mean research on women's health conditions, including 
research on preventing such conditions; and 
(D) "Committee" shall refer to the Advisory Committee on Women's Health. 
SECTION 4. Establishment of the Office of Research on Women's Health. There shall be 
established an office to be known as the Office of Research on Women's- Health which shall be 
headed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall have the following functions: 
(A) To identi@, projects of research on women's health that should be conducted or supported by 
both the government and non-government agencies; 


f 
(B) To promote coordination and collaboration among entities conducting research identified 
under paragraph A; 
(C) To recommend an agenda for conducting and supporting such research; and 
(D) To encourage the conduct of such research 
SECTION 5. Advisory Committee on Women's Health. - In carrying out the provisions of 
Section 4, the Secretary. Shall establish a committee to be known as the "Advisory Committee 
on Women's Health". 
SECTION 6. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members which- 
shall include the following: 
(A) Two (2) representatives from the Department 
(B) Four (4) physicians, practitioners and other health personnel 
(C) Two (2) representatives from a non-governmental organization which conducts 
research on women 
(D) One (1) representative fi-om the general public. 
A majority of the members of the Committee shall be women. 
SECTION 7. Meetings. - The Advisory Committee shall determine the number, time, place and 
conduct of meetings, except that it shall hold at least one (1) public meeting each year at which 
the general public is given an opportunity to express views concerning the conduct of research on 
women's health by the Office. 
SECTION 8. Term. - Members shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term of three (3) years. 
Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall serve for three (3) years, three (3) members for 
two (2) years, and the last three (3) members for one (1) year. 
Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be 'filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment, 
Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause in accordance with procedures 
established by the Committee. 
SECTION 9. Function. - The-Committee shall have the following hnctions: 
(A) Advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be undertaken by the Office with 
respect to - 
(i) Research on women's health; 
(ii) Research on gender differences in clinical drug trials., including responses to 
pharmacological drugs; 
(iii) Research on gender differences in disease etiology, course and treatment; 
(iv) Research on obstetrical and gynecological health conditions, diseases and treatment; and 
(v) Research oil women's health conditions which require a multidisciplinary approach. 
(B) Report to the Secretary on such research; 
(C) Provide recommendations to such Secretary regarding activities of the Office. 


(D) Prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee. 
SECTION 10. Appropriation. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as may be 
necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the 
amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Office of Research on Women's Health 
shall be included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Health. 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,