Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4829)
Republic Act No. 4829 is officially titled the Re-establishment and/or Rehabilitation of Hansenites and Their Families Act.
The main objective of Republic Act No. 4829 is to provide for the re-establishment and/or rehabilitation of Hansenites (leprosy patients) and their families, enabling their reintegration into society.
The advent of the sulfone drug in the treatment of leprosy made prolonged confinement of Hansenites unnecessary, prompting the law for their rehabilitation and re-establishment.
The funds are administered by the Social Welfare Administration.
Five hundred thousand pesos was appropriated for the fiscal year 1967.
Hansenites who are in advanced stages of the disease, those needing surgical intervention, or those requiring institutional care such as destitute and invalid patients are allowed to remain confined.
It invokes the constitutional principle of promoting social justice to ensure the well-being and economic security of the people as enumerated in Section five, Article two of the Philippine Constitution.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 18, 1966.
The sum necessary for subsequent years shall be included in the appropriations for the Social Welfare Administration in the annual General Appropriations Act to ensure continued funding for implementation.