Declaration of Policy
- Recognizes cancer as a leading cause of death in the Philippines.
- Adopts an integrated, multidisciplinary, patient- and family-centered cancer control approach.
- Emphasizes prevention, improved survivorship, affordable and equitable treatment especially for underprivileged sectors.
Definitions
- Provides specific meanings for terms including: Allied health care professionals, cancer, cancer control, diagnosis, registry, rehabilitation, screening, survivorship, treatment, carer, comprehensive cancer care center, continuum of care, hospice care, psychosocial support, late effects management, metastasis, multidisciplinary care, National Integrated Cancer Control Program, notifiable disease, optimal treatment, palliative care, patient navigation, patient care pathway, secondary cancer, and supportive care.
National Integrated Cancer Control Program
- Established framework for government cancer activities.
- Objectives include reducing mortality, incidence, recurrence; providing timely, affordable, accessible care; improving patient and family experience; supporting survivors.
National Integrated Cancer Control Council
- Created as the policy-making, planning, and coordinating body.
- Attached to the Department of Health (DOH).
- Composed of DOH Secretary (chair), other government secretaries, medical professionals in oncology, and patient support organization representatives.
- Utilizes Disease Prevention and Control Bureau as Secretariat.
Roles and Functions of Council
- Formulates policies, programs, integrated cancer control roadmap.
- Develops evidence-based treatment guidelines.
- Oversees accreditation standards for cancer centers and professionals.
- Recommends medicine access programs and multidisciplinary care models.
- Promotes multisectoral collaboration, patient and community engagement.
- Supports training, research and annual program review.
Personnel Complement
- Increases personnel in Disease Prevention and Control Bureau.
- Designates Division Chief for Cancer Control Program.
- Positions created in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management.
Cancer Care Infrastructure
- DOH, LGUs, and agencies to strengthen health system capacities.
- Investments in facilities, technologies, patient referral pathways, drug supplies.
- Enhances provider competencies and workplace retention.
- Sets standards for care, psychosocial support, community-level care.
- Ensures cancer case reporting and linkage with cancer centers.
Philippine Cancer Center
- Established under DOH supervision.
- Objectives: align with national plans, provide treatment and research, train professionals, assist related institutions.
- Specialty cancer centers designated outside Metro Manila.
Cancer Care Centers
- DOH to develop classification, accreditation, licensing standards for cancer centers.
- Public-private partnerships encouraged.
- Private institutions may also be accredited.
Regional Cancer Centers
- Provide high-quality, age-appropriate services.
- Establish networks with public/private facilities.
- Focus on supportive, palliative, and hospice care.
- Separate pediatric/adolescent facilities required.
- Engage community, conduct relevant communication campaigns.
- Promote training, research, psychosocial support, and multi-sector collaboration.
Capacity Development
- DOH collaborates with societies, LGUs, academic institutions for ongoing training of health workers across all levels.
Oncology-Related Academic Curriculum
- CHED, DOH, and stakeholders assess and revise curricula.
- Encourages offering of oncology degree and continuing education programs.
- Provides scholarships and subsidies for training specialized oncology professionals.
Cancer Awareness Campaign
- DOH to intensify evidence-based awareness programs, utilizing latest technology.
- Campaigns to increase cancer literacy, dispel myths, reduce fear.
National Cancer Awareness Month
- February declared as National Cancer Awareness Month.
- DOH leads observance with LGUs and professional societies.
Health Education and Promotion in Academic Institutions
- CHED and Department of Education develop policies integrating cancer risk and prevention education.
- Mainstream supportive care and reduce stigma in schools.
Workplace Health Education
- DOLE and others to guide employers on cancer education and support programs.
- Promote anti-discrimination and incorporate cancer services in workplace health programs.
Community Health Promotion
- DILG and LGUs lead community education campaigns.
- Collaboration with DOH and other stakeholders.
Cancer Assistance Fund
- Established to support cancer medicine and treatment assistance.
- Managed by DOH with strict reporting and accounting rules.
- Donations and fundraising activities are tax-exempt.
PhilHealth Benefits for Cancer
- Expanded to cover screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care.
- Includes innovative benefits like community-based models of care.
- Benefit development requires transparent prioritization to ensure equity.
- Coverage available in public and licensed private cancer centers.
Social Protection Mechanisms
- DOH and other agencies to create accessible social protection for patients, survivors, families, and carers.
- Workplace cancer control policies form part of employee benefits.
- Insurance and SSS/GSIS benefits cover cancer-related medical absences.
- Emphasis on protecting informal sector workers.
Essential Medicines
- DOH and agencies to implement reforms for access to essential, innovative cancer medicines.
- FDA to streamline licensing of cancer drugs within one year.
Palliative Care Medicines
- DOH to ensure availability and affordability of palliative and pain management drugs.
- Monitoring systems for safe administration will be formulated.
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Status
- Cancer patients and survivors considered PWDs under Philippine law.
- Entitled to rights, privileges, benefits, including social welfare and employment programs.
Nondiscrimination
- Government agencies to ensure freedom from discrimination for people living with cancer in all settings.
National Cancer Registry and Monitoring System
- DOH and stakeholders to establish a population-based national cancer registry.
- Registry complies with data privacy laws.
Hospital-Based Cancer Registry
- Mandatory in all hospitals and clinics.
- Confidential recording of patient data and cancer treatment.
- Reporting required for hospital license renewal.
Reporting of Cancer Cases
- Cancer classified as a notifiable disease.
- Hospitals/clinics must report diagnosed cases to DOH per prescribed forms and procedures.
Annual Report
- Secretary of Health to submit annual implementation progress reports to Congress.
Appropriations
- Initial funding from current DOH budget; subsequent funding based on strategic plans.
- Incorporated into the National Expenditure Program.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Secretary of Health to promulgate rules within 90 days after enactment, in consultation with key stakeholders.
Separability Clause
- Unconstitutional provisions shall not affect the remainder of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Conflicting laws, decrees, orders, and rules are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.