THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPDLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
goes undetected and worsens, until even a slight trauma can 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
cause a debilitating fracture, 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15, provides that: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 11 also provides that: 
xxx There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, 
elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free 
medical care to paupers. 


This increase in the elderly population have implications in regard to the country’s 
response to the special needs of the aged; specifically, the adequacy of geriatric health facilities, 
trained personnel and welfare programs for those who cannot afford private healthcare. Despite 
the traditional high regard for older persons in Filipino society, they are the most vulnerable to 
neglect as the family tries to face the pressures of survival. 
To address these issues, early detection, prevention and maintenance are the best 
weapons. Osteoporosis may be debilitating; however, it can be prevented or at least minimized 
through proper nutrition and exercise before bone loss. And even those affected by severe bone 
loss can take preventive measures to minimize the risk of disabilities. 
This bill seeks to address the need to be informed about osteoporosis, its effects and its 
prevention. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
INITIATING A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR OSTEOPOROSIS 
EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 
in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the “Osteoporosis Education and 
Prevention Act of2005.” 
SECTION 2. Defnition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “DOH’ shall refer to the Department of Health; 
(B) “Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
(C) “Congress” is both the Senate and the House of Representatives; and 
(D) “Osteoporosis” shall refer to a disorder common to elderly women in which 
calcium and bone protein are depleted, causing bones to become less dense, more brittle, 
and fracture easily. 
SECTION 3. National Public Awareness Campaign. - The DOH shall create a national 
campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to osteoporosis. As part of such 
campaign, the Secretary shall provide public service announcements, in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations, by developing and placing in telecommunications media 
announcements intended to encourage at-risk populations to discuss their risks of osteoporosis 
with their physicians, and to call attention to early warning signs and risks factors based on the 
best available medical information. 
SECTION 4. Osteoporosis Prevention Demonstration Program. - 
(A) The Secretary shall carry out an osteoporosis prevention demonstration 
program for purposes of - 


(1) determining the best practices for providing information and outreach 
services (including programs and information, such as forums, seminars, and 
large-print, easy-to-understand, multilingual literature) relating to prevention, 
diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis; and 
(2) measuring the effectiveness of such program over a three-year period, 
as shown by an increase in the percentages of individuals who have demonstrated 
expanded awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis (including knowledge of 
personal risk factors). 
(B) In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall collaborate with the leading 
nongovernmental health organizations, academic institutions, local health officer, as well 
as other health entities, with a mission both to promote lifelong bone health nationwide 
and to provide outreach to local governments and communities, for the purpose of 
determining the best practices for providing bone-health information and outreach 
services to at-risk populations. 
SECTION 5. Osteoporosis Research and Reports. - Not later than 18 months after the 
enactment of this Act, the DOH shall conduct a study on the prevalence of osteoporosis among 
the country’s population. The study shall also contain an evaluation of the national public 
awareness campaigns conducted by the DOH, as well as recommendations on measures that 
could be undertaken to strengthen osteoporosis education and prevention programs. A report of 
this study shall be submitted to Congress not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. 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 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1.5) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,