Vision Care for Kids Act

Office of the site tarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 26 FEB 23 P2:32 SENATE 1886 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO CHILDREN EXPLANATORY NOTE Poor vision has a significant impact on the overall well-being, educational development, and productivity of children. If detected and addresses at an early age, many visual impairments can be treated, and further complications can be prevented. However, in the Philippines, the lack of funding for such programs serves as a barrier accessing adequate vision care. Based on a report by the UP Manila National Institutes of Health's Philippines Eye Research Institute (PERI), in a classroom of forty, four have vision impairments or disorders such as amblyopia (lazy eye) or myopia (nearsightedness). More that 10% of Filipino kindergarten-aged pupils are affected by poor vision, and many children are still left undiagnosed. There is also a disparity in the access to visual care, as most families must rely on out-of-pocket expenses. As a result, some families consider the availing of treatments or the purchasing of eyeglasses as a luxury. Hence, there is a need to grant funding for programs promoting vision care to children. ' University of the Philippines Manila. (2021). National Vision Screening Program for Kindergarten Pupils Signed into Law .Upm.edu.ph. https://www.upm.edu.ph/node/2787#:=:text=National%20Vision%20Screening%20Program%2Qfonidentify%2 Oear Iv%20childhood%20visual%20problems.

This bill will complement current state efforts by granting funds to LGUs. By awarding grants, comprehensive eye examinations, treatments, and services can beaccessed by more Filipino children. Besides that, more educational materials on eye care can be disseminated to the public. In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Senati Offter of the outp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB 23 P2:32 SENATE S. No. 1886 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VISION CARE TO CHILDREN 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 " Vision Care for Kids

Act"

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - The following terms as used in this Act shall be

defined as follows: (a) "Comprehensive Eye Examination" includes as assessment of a patient's history, general medical observation, external and ophthalmoscopic examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment and motility, refraction, and as appropriate, binocular vision or gross visual fields, performed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. (b) "LGU' refers to a local government unit, which may be a province, city or a municipality. (c) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Health.

Sec. 3. Grant Regarding Vision Care for Children. - The Secretary shall carry

out this grant program to award grants to LGUs on the basis of an established review process for the purpose of complementing existing government efforts for:

(a) Providing comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children who have been previously identified through a vision screening or eye examination by a licensed health care provider or vision screener as needing such services, with priority given to children who are under 8 years old; (b) Providing treatment or services, subsequent to the examinations described in the aforementioned paragraph, necessary to correct vision problems; and (c) Developing and disseminating to parents, teachers, and health care practitioners' educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children; Provided that the LGU shall not expend more the 20 percent of the amount received under the grant to carry out the purpose described in this paragraph.

Sec. 4. Criteria and Coordination. - The Secretary, in consultation with the

15 appropriate professional and consumer organizations including individuals with 16 knowledge of age appropriate vision services, shall develop a criteria governing the 17 operation of the grant program under Section 3, and for the collection of date related 18 to vision assessment and utilization of follow up services.

Sec. 5. Application. - To be eligible to receive a grant under Section 3, an LGU

20 shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, made in such manner, and 21 containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the following: (a) Information on existing vision programs; (b) A plan for the use of grant funds, including how funds will be used to complement existing State efforts (including possible partnerships wih non- profit entities); (c) A plan to determine if a grant eligible child has been identified as provided for in Section2; and (d) A description of how funds will be used to provide items or services only as a secondary payer to any locak government compen

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, CHED, and relevant

2 national agencies and organizations shall promulgate the necessary rules and 3 regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within six (6) months from the 4 effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. -If any section or provision of this Act is declared

6 invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

9 regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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