Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2025
Filed on December 3, 2025, and referred to the Committees on Health and Demography, Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, and Finance; it has been pending in committee since December 10, 2025.
The bill addresses a significant public health issue and aims to protect the rights of individuals with hepatitis.
The bill responds to the ongoing public health challenge posed by hepatitis infections.
Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2025
The Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2025 aims to establish a policy for voluntary testing and screening of Hepatitis B and C, ensuring confidentiality and protection against discrimination for individuals with these infections.
Compared with current law:
Hepatitis testing is often mandatory in workplaces and educational institutions.
Testing will be voluntary and require written consent.
Confidentiality of hepatitis status is not always guaranteed.
Strict confidentiality of testing results will be mandated.
Discrimination against individuals with hepatitis is prevalent.
Discrimination based on hepatitis status will be prohibited.
The main purpose of the Act is to institute a policy for voluntary testing and screening of Hepatitis B and C, while ensuring confidentiality and protecting individuals from discrimination based on their hepatitis status.
Source · full text✦ Dashed tags are AI-suggested nuance; solid tags follow the committee taxonomy.
Stalled: has sat in committee for over 10 months with no recorded action since December 10, 2025.
No floor deliberations yet — this measure has not reached plenary. Its committee-stage actions appear under Legislative history above.
Senate office of the ee charg TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 25 DEC -3 P1:34 SENATE RECEIVED BY S.B. No. 1577 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT INSTITUTING A POLICY ON BLOODBORNE VIRAL HEPATITIS TESTING AND SCREENING EXPLANATORY NOTE Hepatitis B and C infections are major public health problems in the country and are strongly associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, both of which are incurable and fatal. Globally, about 57% of liver cirrhosis cases are attributed to Hepatitis B and C. An estimated 254 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B, and more than 1 million die each year from complications arising from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) estimates that 7.3 million Filipino adults are living with chronic Hepatitis B infection, representing a prevalence rate of 16.7% among the adult population. Most people with blood-borne viral hepatitis are asymptomatic and may unknowingly transmit the disease. However, measures exist to prevent transmission, primarily by limiting the exposure of uninfected individuals to infected blood and other bodily fluids. In addition, an effective vaccine for Hepatitis B is widely available and has been included in the government's Expanded Program on Immunization. Public awareness remains a crucial element in preventing the spread of Hepatitis B and C. Infection with blood-borne viral hepatitis has significant social consequences, stemming not only from the disease itself but also from fear, stigma, and discrimination. Reports indicate that Filipinos with viral hepatitis may experience workplace discrimination. Some individuals with positive blood test results are terminated or denied employment, even for positions that pose very low risk of disease transmission.
To address this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Department Advisory No. 05 (Series of 2010), or the Guidelines for the Implementation of a Workplace Policy and Program on Hepatitis B, to protect the rights of workers with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Despite this policy, cases of discrimination against HBV- and HCV-positive individuals continue to occur. This situation underscores the need to revise the country's policy on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing to ensure the protection of every Filipino's right to privacy and confidentiality regarding their health conditions, and to improve access to quality health care for individuals with HBV and HCV. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RISA HONTIVEROS Senator
Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 DEC -3 P1:34 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1577 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT INSTITUTING A POLICY ON BLOODBORNE VIRAL HEPATITIS TESTING AND SCREENING 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 "Bloodborne Viral
Hepatitis Testing Act of 2025".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared that the policy of the
4 State is to promote health and well-being of the population through prevention, early 5 detection and treatment of diseases like bloodborne viral hepatitis, as well as, to 6 protect the rights of people living with these diseases who suffer from stigma and 7 discrimination through the promotion of voluntary and confidential testing of bloodborne viral hepatitis and the prohibition of mandatory and routine screening of 9 the same.
Sec. 3. Definitions of terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following
definitions shall apply: (a) Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis - refers to the disease caused by both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus which can be transmitted by exposure to infected blood and other body fluids, producing, among others, jaundice and chronic inflammation of the liver. (b) Exposure-prone Procedures (EPP) - refers to invasive procedures where there is a risk that injury to the worker may result in the exposure of the patient's open tissues to the blood of the worker, including procedures where the workers gloved hands may be in contact with sharp instruments, needle tips or
sharp tissues (e.g. spicules of bone or teeth) inside. (c) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) - refers to the virus that causes Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C respectively. A safe and effective vaccine is available for Hepatitis B, while there is none for Hepatitis G. Treatment modalities are available to effectively manage the symptoms and to prevent complications caused by these diseases. (d) Hepatitis Testing or Screening - refers to any facility-based or mobile medical procedure that is conducted to determine the presence or absence of Hepatitis B or C or the circulating viral burden in a person's body. (e) Universal Precautions - refers to the practice of avoiding contact with bodily fluids, assuming it to be infected, by means of non-porous articles or other personal protective equipment. (f) Workplace - refers to the office, premises or worksite, whether in the private or the public sector, including government agencies, their subdivisions, instrumentalities, and government-owned and controlled corporations, where a worker is temporarily or habitually assigned. Where there is a no fixed or definite workplace, the term shall include the place where a worker performs regular work, or where a worker regularly reports to render service or to take an assignment.
Sec. 4. Voluntary Hepatitis Testing. - As a matter of policy, the State shall
encourage voluntary hepatitis testing. Written consent of the person taking the test or the parent or legal guardian of a minor or legally incapacitated taking the test must be obtained before such testing. The conduct of hepatitis testing as a pre-requisite for hiring, employment, renewal of employment or continued employment, or as part of a routine health check-up without clinical indication or medical justification, or as a pre-requisite for admission to, basis for expulsion from or any disciplinary action in educational institutions, shall be prohibited.
Sec. 5. Confidentiality of Hepatitis Testing. - In all cases, access to all
information related to a persons' HBV or HCV status including the results of hepatitis testing shall be kept strictly confidential except when disclosed with the written consent of the individual or the parent or legal guardian of the minor or legally 32 incapacitated whose HBV or HCV status is involved, unless otherwise required by law.
Sec. 6. Counselling and Referral for Further Management. — All hepatitis
testing shall include counselling, which should be able to provide the individual who took the test information on measures to prevent transmission and, if necessary, a referral to a health practitioner for further evaluation and management.
Sec. 7. Exceptions to Voluntary Hepatitis Screening and Testing. - Compulsory
testing for bloodborne viral hepatitis shall be allowed only in the following instances: a. When it is necessary to test a person, who is charged with any of the offenses punishable under Article 264, 266, 335 and 338 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 8353, otherwise known as the Anti-Rape Law of 1997; b. As a prerequisite in the donation of blood in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7170, otherwise known as the Organ Donation Act, and Republic Act No. 7719, otherwise known as the National Blood Services Act; c. As part of surveillance and management of bloodborne hepatitis among health care workers involved in exposure prone procedures. Provided, That it shall not be a pre-requisite for admission to or a basis for expulsion or any disciplinary action in an educational institution for health care workers or for employment or re-employment in a health care facility, Provided, further, That positive results of such testing shall not be used as justification for the termination of a health care worker employed in a health facility.
Sec. 8. Testing for Organ Donation. - Lawful consent to HBV and HCV testing
of a donated human body, organ, tissue, or blood shall be considered as having been given when: a) A person volunteers or freely agrees to donate one's blood, organ, or tissue for transfusion, transplantation, or research; and b) A legacy and a donation are executed in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 respectively, of Republic Act No. 7170 otherwise known as the Organ Donation Act of 1991.
Sec. 9. Hepatitis Testing Among Individuals with Clinical Justification for
Testing. - Hepatitis testing shall be highly encouraged among individuals who, based on a reasonable assessment of a physician, shall benefit from the conduct of said testing. Provided, That voluntary consent must be obtained prior to such testing,
adequate counselling must be provided, and that any individual who refuses to undergo such testing shall not be subjected to discriminatory acts as defined in Section 12.
Sec. 10. Prevention, Detection, and Management of Bloodborne Hepatitis in
Workplace Settings with High-Risk of Transmission. - In institutions or workplace settings with high-risk transmission like hospitals, health facilities, diagnostic clinics, blood donation centers, among others, measures to interrupt transmission of bloodborne viral hepatitis Irom health provider to patient and vice versa shall be adopted. including but not limited to: (a) Routine surveillance of personnel performing exposure prone procedures and provision of support and access to treatment for those with positive results; (b) Hepatitis B vaccination for all personnel if they have no documented evidence of pre-existing immunity, (c) Strict adherence and practice of universal precautions and provision of personal protective equipment lor workers whose work entails exposure to blood and other body fluids; (d) Provision and maintenance of adequate hygiene facilities and mechanisms to ensure proper disposal of infectious and potentially contaminated materials; (e) Development of protocols lor the management of health workers exposed to agents contaminated with bloodborne infectious diseases in all health care and health care-related institutions and facilities; (f) Education and training on the prevention transmission of bloodborne hepatitis and other infectious diseases in the workplace; (g) Development of a protocol for the confidential management of restrictions on the conduct of EPPs and reasonable reassignment of personnel with restrictions to conduct EPP to other work assignments based on the persons clinical status and based on best available scientific evidence.
Sec. 11. Regulation of Hepatitis Testing Services. — To ensure access to
voluntary and confidential hepatitis testing, the DOH shall: a. Regulate public and private facilities that conduct hepatitis testing services. Provided, That only DOH-accredited hepatitis testing facilities shall be allowed to conduct such testing;
b. Develop the guidelines for voluntary and confidential hepatitis testing including protocols lor counselling and referral to health providers for further evaluation and management;
Sec. 12. Discriminatory Acts. - The following discriminatory acts and practices
shall be prohibited: a. Discrimination in any form, from pre-employment to post-employment, including hiring, assignment, promotion, based on the actual or perceived HBV or HCV status of an individual, non-disclosure of one's own or another person's HBV and HCV status, or refusal to undergo hepatitis testing; b. Termination from work on the sole basis of actual, perceived, or suspected HBV or HCV, non-disclosure of one's own or another person's HBV and HCV status, or refusal to undergo hepatitis testing; C. Refusal of admission, expulsion, segregation, imposition of harsher disciplinary actions, or denial of benefits or services of a student or a prospective student solely or partially on the basis of actual, perceived or suspected HBV or HCV, non-disclosure of said status, or refusal to undergo hepatitis testing; d. Exclusion from health, accident, or life insurance, credit and loan services, including the extension of such loan or insurance facilities, of an individual solely or partially on the basis of actual, perceived, or suspected HBV and HCV status: Provided, That the person with positive HBV and HCV has not misrepresented the fact to the insurance company or loan or credit service provider upon application; e. Denial of or provision of subpar health services or being charged with a higher fee, on the basis of actual, perceived or suspected HBV or HCV status, non- disclosure of said status, or refusal to undergo hepatitis testing; f. Denial and deprivation of private health insurance under a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and private life insurance coverage under a life insurance company on the basis of the person's HBV and HCV status: Provided, That the person with positive HBV and HCV has not misrepresented such fact to the HMO and private life insurance company upon application g. Other similar or analogous discriminatory acts.
Sec. 13. Protection of Workers with Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis. - Employers
shall adopt all reasonable measures to accommodate workers who are HBV-positive, 2 HCV-positive, or affected by a Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C -related illness who voluntarily disclose their status to their employers, including but not limited to flexible leave arrangements, re-scheduling of work hours, and workforce re-integration assistance, 5 and facilitation of access to treatment.
Sec. 14. Education on Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis. - The DOH, together with
7 other partners in the health sector, shall strengthen the nationwide program on 8 prevention of blood borne viral hepatitis by raising awareness on the disease and 9 disease prevention, promoting universal coverage of Hepatitis B vaccination, and advocating for voluntary hepatitis testing in the general population.
Sec. 15. Penalties. — Violations of any provision of this Act including, but not
limited to, those related to the non-compulsory nature of Hepatitis B and C testing, discrimination in the workplace and confidentiality, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not greater than four (4) years, and a fine not exceeding Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00). In addition, the licenses or 16 permits of establishments, companies and other institutions found guilty of committing the discriminatory acts and policies described in this Act, shall be revoked.
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules & Regulations. — The DOH and DOLE, in
19 coordination with other relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private organizations, shall issue the Implementing Rules & Regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) 22 days from the effectivity thereof.
Sec. 17. Appropriations. — The amounts necessary for the initial
24 implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOH. Thereafter, the expenses for its continued implementation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act from funds appropriated to the DOH.
Sec. 18. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid by a conn of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, department
or memorandum orders and other administrative issuances, or parts thereof, which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
4 publication in 9 the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 5 circulation. Approved,
Reproduced from the Senate document. The official PDF is the authoritative version.