Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9942 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In consonance with State’s recognition of the need to  promote  the physical well-being  of 
children, including promoting their right to health, and making health services adequate to all, this 
bill seeks to ensure that quality, affordable, accessible and available oral health care delivery can 
be availed by unemancipated child fifteen (15) years of age and below who have no visible means 
of support or whose parents or guardians have no means of providing for their immediate medical 
and dental needs. 
Charitable access to medical and dental care, especially to the impoverished and indigent, 
remains scarce. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
February 19, 2024
2:15 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9942
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE THE GIVING OF FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES TO 
INDIGENT CHILDREN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 Free Medical and Dental Service 
to Indigent Children Act. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that children are the future of our 
society. It has the primary responsibility to promote the right to health of all citizens, particularly 
the less fortunate children. It is hereby declared a policy of the State to ensure the protection of 
their guaranteed rights by providing free medical and dental services to all indigent children. 
Section 3. Indigent Children. - For purposes of this Act, indigent children who are fifteen 
(15) years old and below shall have access to free medical and dental services. Provided, That the
parents or guardians have no means of providing their immediate medical and dental needs.
Section 4. Creation of Indigent Children Section; Mandatory Free Medical and Dental 
Services. - There is hereby created in every hospital, medical center and other medical institution 
an Indigent Children Section to provide the mandatory free medical and dental treatment to 
indigent children. 
Section 5. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall lead the implementation of this Act.  
Section 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be sourced from the budget of DOH and DSWD under their current General 
Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such sums necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in their annual GAA.  


Section 7. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
  
Section 8. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.  
  
Section 9.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
  
Approved,