Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides: 
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
and consciousness among them." 
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a severe auto-immune connective tissue 
disease in which antibodies are generated to a range of autoantigens. It triggers 
inflammation in the different tissues of the body particularly when the immune system 
attacks its own tissue. There is no cure for SLE however medical interventions and 
lifestyle changes can help control it. 
The proposed bill seeks to promote awareness and information for the public regarding 
SLE and to strengthen research and development to support and manage treatment of 
this disease. The increased awareness will encourage understanding, early detection 
and intervention which are critical in alleviating symptoms. 
Upon these considerations, the prompt passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE  
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
August 1, 2022
4:22 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO COMBAT SYSTEMIC LUPUS 
ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) DISEASE 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 "Comprehensive Lupus 
Prevention Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people. As such, the State shall promote awareness of the health 
programs focusing on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to empower citizens 
suffering therefrom to become, to the best of their potential, independent, self-reliant, 
and productive members of society. 
Sec. 3. Definition of terms. – For the purpose of this Act. "Systemic Lupus 
Erythematosus" (SLE) or "Lupus" shall be construed to mean a chronic autoimmune 
disease where the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in 
inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body, but most often affecting 
the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, as 
diagnosed by a competent medical practitioner. 
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Sec. 4. National Survey and Research. – The National Institute of Health (NIH) of the 
Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct an annual survey to determine the extent and 
total incidence and prevalence of persons with SLE in the country for the government to 
provide the necessary health interventions to address the needs faced by persons with 
lupus. 
 
Sec. 5. Integrated Approach to Research in Cooperation with Concerned Research 
Agencies. – Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall 
ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the NIH's research agenda and that of 
pharmaceutical corporations or other government agencies addressing the issue of 
lupus. 
 
Sec. 6. National Program for Lupus Prevention and Treatment. – The DOH shall 
implement a comprehensive and nationwide program on lupus prevention and treatment 
with the following objectives: 
a)   to promote and provide mechanisms for early identification, screening, and 
diagnosis of persons suffering from lupus; 
b)   to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues 
concerning lupus; 
c)   to establish sustainable support network for families of persons diagnosed 
with lupus; 
d)   to provide referral services to patients for appropriate educational and medical 
expertise and to identify appropriate education or medical facilities suited to 
the needs of patients; 
e)   to undertake research and collaborate with other institutions for the conduct of 
research activities pertaining to the disease; 
f)   to promote an advocacy discouraging bias against and stereotyping of 
afflicted persons; 
g)   to provide an avenue for the sharing of best practices on issues relating to 
early detection, prevention, cure, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons 


diagnosed with lupus; and 
h)   to network with other organizations, institutions, and professionals working on 
public programs for persons diagnosed with lupus; 
 
Sec. 7. Programs and Service for Lupus Prevention. – The programs and services 
that will be provided by the DOH shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
a)   orientation and counseling services for families of newly diagnosed persons; 
b)   establishment of national and regional referral services where the DOH shall 
maintain an updated list of health care institutions and practitioners concerned 
with the treatment of lupus; 
c)   publish a newsletter on current developments and research on lupus, as well 
as other reading materials on the early detection, prevention, and treatment of 
lupus, and best practices for the care of diagnosed persons; 
d)   conduct of continuing education and training programs on the proper care of 
diagnosed persons; and 
e)   establishment of a databank and an information and monitoring system on 
country-specific statistics pertaining to lupus. 
 
Sec. 8. Lupus Early Detection and Screening Fees. – The Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation shall include the cost of early detection and screening programs for lupus as 
one of the available benefits to its members. The early detection and screening test fees 
shall be applied to, among others, testing cost, education, follow-up, and readable 
overhead expenses. 
 
Sec. 9. Donations and Grants. – The DOH, NIH, and other departments of the DOH 
that may thereafter be tasked with the implementation of this Act shall have the power to 
receive donations and grants from local and international donor institutions, foundations, 
and foreign donor agencies, provided that pertinent laws and rules on the receipt, 
accounting, and disbursement thereof shall be complied with. 
 
Sec. 10. National Lupus Awareness Week. – In order to grow national interest and 


participation in the issues and concerns of lupus patients, the first week of May shall 
annually be celebrated as "Lupus Awareness Week." This week-long activity will be 
spearheaded by the DOH, in coordination with other concerned agencies, institutions, 
and stakeholders. 
 
Sec. 11. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service 
Providers on Lupus Prevention and Treatment. – All DOH staff and health providers 
providing health services to persons diagnosed with lupus shall undergo a mandatory 
continuing education and training program to ensure the delivery of up-to-date and 
relevant services. 
 
Sec. 12. Protection Against Forcible Administration of Medical Treatment or 
Enrollment in Programs. – All persons administering treatment, counseling, or 
medication as well as all persons involved in the implementation of the DOH programs 
as mandated in this Act shall respect the right of each patient to determine for himself or 
herself the medical treatment to be administered as well as the programs wherein he or 
she will participate, if any. 
 
Sec. 13. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the DOH. 
 
Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within six (6) months from the date 
of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and 
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall 


remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 17. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,