SenatE office of the son carp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP -2 A10:01 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1323 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE FUND FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS EXPLANATORY NOTE The 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly provides that: "The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential foods, health, and other soda! services available to all the people at affordable cost There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers." Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. In 2022, there were over 110,000 cancer deaths, placing it as the third leading cause of death in the country. The same year also recorded almost 190,000 new diagnoses, and in addition, the Philippines has one of the highest records of premature cancer- related deaths in Southeast Asia. The incidence and mortality rate of cancer in the Philippines has been increasing in the past decades. The lack of organized and specialized care and preventive measures against the disease contributed and shall continue to do so in its upwards trend, should such measures not be initiated. Chemotherapy, one of the common cancer treatment options in the Philippines, often has a daunting cost per session. The cost of treatment by radiation or even
examination by MRI, is burdensome even to middle-income patients, and often beyond the reach of the poor. Considering that one of the goals of the national economy is a more equitable distribution of opportunities and raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged, it is high time that those who have less in life be given the lifeline to fight cancer disease despite their lack of resources. Thus, this bill seeks to establish a Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund for Filipino indigent and underprivileged cancer patients to provide adequate funds to those who cannot afford the necessary treatment for their diseases. Therefore, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR
Denate P OffieR of the a tar TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP -2 AI0 :02 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 10V S. No. 1323 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CANCER MEDICINE AND TREATMENT ASSISTANCE FUND FOR INDIGENT AND UNDERPRIVILEGED FILIPINOS 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 "Cancer Medicine and
Treatment Fund for Filipinos'"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby a policy of the state to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and to adopt and implement a system of efficient delivery of free medicine and free treatment to indigent and underprivileged cancer patients.
Sec. 3. Establishment of a PHP 10 Billion Cancer Fund and Free Medicine
Assistance Program. - There is hereby created a Ten Billion Peso Cancer Fund that can be availed by indigent and underprivileged cancer patients. For this purpose, a Cancer Treatment Program, hereinafter referred to as the "Program," is established and to be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its accredited government hospitals in each particular congressional district, to be known as the health district. The program shall be limited to indigent and underprivileged cancer patient beneficiaries to be identified by PhilHealth, in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
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Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PhilHealth, jointly with the
DSWD, DOH and DILG, and the relevant private sector groups, including the association of hospitals and medical institutions and groups of patients, shall prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provision of this Act within six (6) months from the effectivity hereof.
Sec 5. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall. Be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
Sec 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,