QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11358)
Republic Act No. 11358 is the National Vision Screening Act. Its short title is the "National Vision Screening Act."
RA 11358 cites Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, which pertains to the State’s policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness.
The NVSP is established under the Department of Education (DepEd) and is primarily intended to screen the eye vision of kindergarten pupils.
The objectives are: (a) conduct a simple vision screening test and identify pupils with possible visual problems; (b) identify early childhood visual problems; (c) provide immediate attention to visually impaired pupils and create a referral system for eye care practitioners; (d) develop a vision screening results database for all kindergarten pupils; and (e) conduct continuing research on visual impairment among kindergarten pupils.
In coordination with DOH and PERI, DepEd must: administer the program to all public kindergarten pupils using a Vision Screening Kit; train and certify teachers; develop referral and corrective measures; create a vision screening database; and monitor and evaluate implementation. Private schools may be encouraged to adopt their own system subject to NVSP standards.
The Vision Screening Kit includes charts with symbols or numbers, occluders, and a transparent response key.
Section 5(a) provides that DOH and PERI may recommend adopting new modes or methods of vision screening based on the latest trends and developments.
Section 7 states that the PERI is mainly responsible for training Vision Screening Trainers for quality assurance and for recommending the appropriate vision screening material to be used.
DepEd, in coordination with DOH and PERI, must develop a system of referral and corrective measures for kindergarten pupils suspected or diagnosed with possible eye ailments so they can be checked and treated by eye care practitioners.
DepEd must create a vision screening database containing screening results and diagnoses by eye care practitioners. The database must be shared by and among DepEd, DOH, PERI, and other concerned government agencies.
It requires that the vision screening database, including results and practitioner diagnoses and other gathered data, be shared by and among DepEd, DOH, PERI, and other concerned government agencies.
PhilHealth must develop a benefit package for the consultation and treatment of eye diseases of children.
The VSCR Fund is created to be sourced from donations or bequests made to DepEd, DOH, or PERI in favor of the NVSP. It is used to fund PERI’s continuing research program related to childhood related eye vision ailments.
All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to DepEd, DOH, or PERI for the NVSP and the VSCR Fund used actually, directly, and exclusively for those purposes are exempt from donor’s tax and are allowable as deductions from gross income for computing taxable income under the National Internal Revenue Code.
The law provides that P10,000,000.00 is included in the budget of the PERI of the University of the Philippines–Manila to cover implementation of the Act for public kindergarten pupils.
For kindergarten pupils enrolled in private schools, the funding for implementation of their respective school’s vision screening program is assumed by the private schools concerned.
The IRR must be formulated within ninety (90) days from the approval of the Act by DepEd, DOH, and PERI.
Separability: If any section or provision is held invalid, the remaining sections remain valid. Effectivity: The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.