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/@ttice of tne Soeceetary
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
Second Regular Session ) 18 SER 26 (P7 03

SENATE RECEV:D BY:

SENATE BILLNO._1709

Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL SIGHT STRATEGY PLAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article I, Section 15 provides:

Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of
the people and instill health consciousness among them.

Article XIII, Section 11, likewise provides:

SECTION 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the
people at affordable cost. xxx

Sight is one of the most prized senses. But the high incidence of vision defects
and abnormalities pose serious public health issues. The Department of Health
estimates about two million Filipinos suffer from moderate to severe visual
impairment. According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines is among
the three countries in the Western Pacific that account for the most incidence of
blindness in the region. Visual impairment results in lost employment opportunities,
decreases productivity, impedes learning and diminishes the general well-being of
those who suffer from them.

This proposed measure seeks to address the need to strengthen vision care in
the country. It seeks to institutionalize a National Sight Strategy that provides a
comprehensive national plan of action to address the prevalence of vision defects,
including blindness. It sets out measures for the appropriate deployment and use of
resources, mandates the collection and dissemination of data, promotes the practice



of vision health related professions, and authorizes the use of public facilities to make
vision care services accessible to all.

Meat oA


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Senate
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Second Regular Session ) "8 eR 26. P703
SENATE 7 _
REED
SENATE BILLNO._1709 7

Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL SIGHT STRATEGY PLAN

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. - This law shall be known as the “National Sight Strategy Plan

Act”,

Sec. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - The physical well-being of the citizenry,
including their vision health, is a primary concern of the State. The role of vision care
professionals and providers, including ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians,
in safeguarding and enhancing the vision health of Filipinos, including preventing

blindness, is recognized and shall be strengthened.

Sec. 3. National Sight Strategy. -

a. The Department of Health (DOH), within one year from the effectivity of this
Act and in consultation with all stakeholders in the field of vision care, shall
formulate a National Sight Strategy that shall address the following:

1. The collection, collation, organization and publication of data and statistics

on the incidence and prevalence of vision abnormalities such as blindness,



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errors of refraction and common eye diseases, and the causes of such
medical conditions.

2. The formulation and implementation of a comprehensive national strategy
to address vision health issues including the prevention and treatment of
blindness and visual defects, deployment of personnel, allocation of public
resources, and public education to increase awareness of the importance of
protecting and improving vision health at all ages.

3. The promotion and development, in the underserved areas in the country,
of the study and practice of vision health related professions such as
ophthalmology, optometry, and opticianry.

4. The undertaking of studies and consultation to formulate recommendations
on the inclusion of vision care services in national health programs such as
PhilHealth.

b. As part of the National Sight Strategy, all national and local government
healthcare facilities such as hospitals, medical centers and clinics, shall be made
available for the establishment of eye care clinics or centers where eye care
professionals can provide ready access to quality vision care, especially to those
who could not otherwise afford them.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the DOH under the current
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations

Act.

Sec. 5. Reporting. ~DOH shall submit, upon completion, the National Sight Strategy

Plans to the Senate and the House of Representatives,



SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act
is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be
affected and thereby remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,