Mandatory Schools Clinic Act

Senate Office of the Beretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB -5 P3:49 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1780 S. B. No. _ INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOOL CLINIC FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND APROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Data from the Department of Education showed that only 28% or about 13,081 schools out of 47,013 public schools nationwide have school clinics. This alarming information clearly poses a critical gap in the healthcare services being provided by the government to the youth, specifically in the educational setting. While the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to have at least one functional school clinic or health corner in every public school, many still lack proper health facilities, medical equipment, or full-time health personnel, especially in rural and remote areas. For these reasons, this proposed measure seeks to mandate the establishment of school clinics in every public elementary and secondary school nationwide. By institutionalizing school clinics, the State recognizes that quality education cannot be achieved without healthy learners. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

Denalt Offier of the sorretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) FEB -5 P3:49 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. B. No. 1780 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOOL CLINIC FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND APROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - The Act shall be known as the "Mandatory School

2 Clinics Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and

5 promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 6 Pursuant to this policy, laws were enacted to establish health services in both public 7 and private schools, including having medicines and medical supplies for emergency 8 care and employing the services of health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, 9 dentists and trained medical officers. In line with the policy to protect the right to health and to render more operational the goal of the government to provide health services in schools, the State shall make it mandatory for every public and private school to have one permanent clinic.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

(a) School Clinic refers to a designated space within a school that provides basic medical, dental, and first-aid services to students, teachers, and school personnel.

'. (b) Health Personnel refers to licensed nurses, midwives, or other qualified health professionals assigned to deliver health services in schools. (c) Public School refers to any elementary or secondary school operated by the Department of Education (DepEd).

SEC. 4. Establishment of School Clinics. - There shall be a functional school

7 clinic in every public elementary and secondary school in the Philippines. For schools with existing clinics, such facilities shall be assessed, upgraded, or expanded to comply with the standards mandated under this Act. Each clinic shall: (a) Be equipped with adequate medical supplies, first-aid materials, and sanitation facilities; (b) Serve as the primary health service delivery unit for first aid and emergency care, basic medical and nursing services, health screening and monitoring, health education and disease prevention programs, and nutrition assessment and counseling; (c) Be manned by at least one (1) school nurse or qualified health personnel under the supervision of the DepEd and in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and concerned Local Government Units (LGUs); and (d) Serve as the primary health and emergency response center within the school premises. The construction and upgrading of school clinics shall be implemented within five (5) years from effectivity. Priority shall be given to the following: (1) Schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) (2) Schools with no existing clinic (3) Schools in high-risk disaster zones (4) Schools with large student populations.

SEC. 5. Implementing agencies. - The construction of school clinics shall

be jointly implemented by the following:

(a) Department of Education (DepEd) - overall planning, site assessment, school facility integration (b) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - lead agency for design, engineering, and construction (c) Local Government Units (LGUs) - may co-fund, provide counterpart lots if needed, or support construction logistics (d) Department of Health (DOH) - prescribes clinic layout for medical functionality and equipment standards The DepEd may also enter into partnerships with SUCs, private contractors, civil society, or donor institutions for the development of compliant clinic facilities, subject to procurement laws and COA rules.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in

coordination with the DOH, DPWH, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other concerned agencies and entities, shall hereby promulgate the rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions

of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and every year thereafter.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - In the event any provision of this Act or the

application of such provision is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or the application of the said provision shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. Approved,