Unit 7

Unit 7: Key Legislation in Philippine Health and Safety

Rooming in/Breastfeeding Act of 1992 (RA 7600)

  • Approved: June 2, 1992

  • Mandates institutions to provide rooming-in services

  • Encourages, protects, and supports the practice of breastfeeding

Clean Air Act (RA 8749)

  • Enacted: 1999

  • Prevents, controls, and mitigates air pollution

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121)

  • Enacted: May 27, 2010

  • Strengthens disaster risk management by promoting proactive risk reduction

Generics Act of 1988 (RA 6675)

  • Promotes production, distribution, use, and acceptance of drugs identified by their generic names

Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (RA 7305)

  • Enacted: March 26, 1992

  • Improves social and economic well-being of health workers

  • Develops skills and capabilities

  • Encourages retention in government service

National Blood Services Act of 1994 (RA 7719)

  • Enacted: May 5, 1994

  • Promotes voluntary blood donation

  • Focuses on making blood donation safer to save lives

National Health Insurance Program (RA 7875)

  • Enacted: February 14, 1995

  • Provides national health insurance for all Filipinos

  • Establishes the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

Child and Youth Welfare Code of the Philippines (PD 603)

  • Enacted: December 10, 1974

  • Protects and promotes the welfare of children and youth

Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211)

  • Enacted: June 23, 2003

  • Regulates packaging, use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of tobacco products

  • Promotes a healthful environment and informs public of health risks associated with smoking

Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010 (RA 9994)

  • Enacted: February 15, 2010

  • Enhances benefits and privileges for senior citizens

  • Amends previous RA 7432

Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RA 10354)

  • Enacted: 2012

  • Promotes responsible parenthood and reproductive health

  • Provides universal access to reproductive health services and information

Special Protection for Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610)

  • Enacted: June 17, 1992

  • Provides stronger deterrence and protection against child abuse

Revised Dangerous Drugs Law (RA 9165)

  • Enacted: June 7, 2002

  • Amended by RA 10640 on July 15, 2014

  • Response to illegal substance issues, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation

Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011 (RA 10152)

  • Enacted: July 12, 2011

  • Mandates basic free immunization at government hospitals or health centers

Additional Legislation

Children Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2016 (RA 10666)

  • Protects children on the road

  • Prohibits driving motorcycles with a child on board

Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (PD 856)

  • Enacted: December 23, 1975

  • Aims to protect public health through sanitation rules

Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 (RA 9502)

  • Promotes the use of generic medicines

  • Regulates drug prices and ensures access to quality and affordable drugs

Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262)

  • Enacted: March 2004

  • Protects women and children from violence

Law on Notifiable Diseases in the Philippines (RA 11332)

  • Enacted: 2019

  • Ensures timely reporting of notifiable diseases and health events

  • Facilitates data collection and public health interventions

Children Emergency Relief and Protection Act of 2016 (RA 10821)

  • Enacted: May 18, 2016

  • Mandates emergency provision and protection for children before, during, and after disasters.