Definitions
- Defines key terms such as cancer, cancer control, diagnosis, registry types (population and hospital-based), rehabilitation, screening, survivorship, treatment, carer, comprehensive cancer care center, continuum of care, hospice, psychosocial support, patient navigation, secondary cancer, and supportive care.
National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP)
- Established as the framework for government cancer-related activities.
- Objectives include reducing cancer mortality and incidence, preventing recurrence and metastasis, improving access and affordability, supporting recovery and reintegration, and alleviating burdens on patients and families.
National Integrated Cancer Control Council
- Policy-making, planning, and coordinating body attached to the Department of Health (DOH).
- Composed of ex officio government officials, appointed medical experts, patient organization representatives.
- Provides technical guidance and oversight.
- Service of Disease Prevention and Control Bureau as secretariat.
Council’s Roles and Functions
- Formulate policies and programs for integrated cancer care tailored to Philippines' context.
- Develop roadmap with targets and performance benchmarks.
- Set evidence-based treatment standards and patient care pathways.
- Set quality and accreditation standards for cancer facilities and professionals.
- Monitor cancer service implementation to ensure equity and sustainability.
- Recommend medicine access programs and strengthen multisectoral collaboration.
- Establish patient engagement mechanisms and promote research and training.
- Submit annual progress and financial reports.
Personnel Complement
- Increase staff in DOH’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau for cancer program.
- Designate Division Chief for operational leadership.
- Create additional plantilla positions in coordination with DOH and DBM.
Cancer Care Infrastructure
- DOH, LGUs, and agencies to strengthen public health system for continuum of cancer care.
- Invest in facility upgrades, technologies, and equipment.
- Develop patient referral pathways.
- Ensure reliable supply of cancer drugs and vaccines.
- Enhance competencies of health providers.
- Implement retention programs and community-level care.
- Establish standards for psychosocial support, palliative care, pain management, and patient navigation.
- Network with cancer centers and relevant institutions.
Philippine Cancer Center
- Established under DOH, headed by Executive Director.
- Functions: align with national plans, provide patient care, conduct/promote research, train professionals, support academic/research institutions.
- Other centers designated in high population or high-risk areas.
Cancer Care Centers
- DOH to develop standards and accreditation for various cancer centers (comprehensive, specialty, regional, clinics).
- Allow public-private partnerships to improve service delivery and infrastructure.
- Private institutions may be accredited if standards are met.
Regional Cancer Centers
- Objectives include timely and quality cancer care services.
- Establish networks to improve access and reduce costs.
- Provide supportive/palliative/hospice care and patient navigation.
- Separate units for pediatric and adolescent cancer patients.
- Implement communication campaigns, training, psychosocial support, rehabilitation.
- Collaborate with LGUs, private sector, advocacy organizations.
- Promote ethical cancer research.
Capacity Development and Academic Curriculum
- DOH to collaborate with societies, LGUs, academic institutions to build healthcare worker capacity.
- CHED to assess and improve oncology-related academic curricula.
- Encourage degree and continuing education programs for oncology specialties.
- Provide scholarships and subsidies for training oncology professionals.
Cancer Awareness
- DOH to intensify evidence-based campaign on cancer prevention and treatment.
- Use of technology to maximize information dissemination.
- Address myths, increase literacy, reduce fear and anxiety.
- February declared National Cancer Awareness Month.
- Integration of cancer education in schools, workplaces, and communities.
- Promote stigma-free environments.
Affordable Cancer Care and Treatment
- Establishment of Cancer Assistance Fund managed by DOH.
- Fund sourced from government appropriations, donations, fundraising—all tax-exempt.
- PhilHealth to expand benefit packages to cover full cancer continuum.
- Introduce community-based care models and innovative benefits.
- Social protection mechanisms involving SSS, GSIS, PCSO, DOLE, DSWD, PhilHealth, LGUs.
- Cancer Control Policies in workplaces covering prevention to end-of-life.
- Mandate coverage by HMOs and compensation for cancer-related work absences.
Essential Medicines
- DOH and agencies to ensure early access to essential, innovative cancer medicines.
- FDA to implement streamlined licensing for cancer medications within one year.
- Ensure supply and safety of palliative and pain management medicines.
Supportive Environment for Persons with Cancer
- Cancer patients/survivors recognized as persons with disabilities under the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
- Entitled to same rights and social welfare benefits.
- DOLE to promote work/employment opportunities.
- Guarantee freedom from discrimination in schools, workplace, and community.
Cancer Registry and Monitoring System
- Establish national population-based cancer registry covering all cancers and regions.
- Integrate registries with electronic medical records and comply with Data Privacy Act.
- Hospitals/clinics maintain own cancer registries.
- Reporting of cancer cases required for licensure renewal.
- Cancer declared a notifiable disease; coding/reporting standardized by DOH.
Final Provisions
- Secretary of Health to submit an annual implementation report to Congress.
- Initial funding charged to DOH appropriations, with future budgets based on strategic plans.
- Rules and regulations to be promulgated within 90 days.
- Separability and repealing clauses ensure legal continuity and consistency.
- Effectivity 15 days after publication.