National Vision Screening Program for Kindergarten Pupils

The State adopts the policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Section 2
The State endeavors to promote every Filipino’s full potential through good vision by creating ways and means to address vision problems, including blindness, among children. Section 2
The State institutes a program that helps screen school children for visual problems. Section 2

A National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) is established under the Department of Education (DepEd). Section 3
The NVSP’s primary purpose is to screen the eye vision of kindergarten pupils. Section 3
The DepEd leads implementation of the NVSP in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Eye Research Institute (PERI). Section 5
The PERI is under the National Institutes of Health of the University of the Philippines (UP). Section 5

The NVSP must conduct a simple vision screening test on kindergarten pupils through trained teachers and health personnel and identify pupils with possible visual problems. Section 4(a)
The NVSP must identify early childhood visual problems. Section 4(b)
The NVSP must provide immediate attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils and create a referral system so they may be checked and treated by eye care practitioners. Section 4(c)
The NVSP must develop a vision screening results database for all kindergarten pupils. Section 4(d)
The NVSP must conduct continuing research on the state of visual impairment among kindergarten pupils. Section 4(e)

The NVSP must be administered to all public kindergarten pupils using a Vision Screening Kit that includes charts with symbols or numbers, occluders, and a transparent response key. Section 5(a)
The DOH and PERI may recommend adopting new modes or methods of vision screening based on the latest trends and developments. Section 5(a)
The DepEd, in coordination with the DOH and PERI, must train and certify teachers to conduct the vision screening program. Section 5(b)
The DepEd, in coordination with the DOH and PERI, must develop a system of referral and corrective measures for kindergarten pupils suspected or diagnosed with possible eye ailments. Section 5(c)
The DepEd must create a vision screening database containing results of the screening per child and visual conditions diagnoses by eye care practitioners. Section 5(d)
The DepEd must monitor and evaluate implementation of the NVSP. Section 5(e)
Private schools are encouraged to adopt their own vision screening system for kindergarten pupils enrolled in their schools, subject to NVSP standards. Section 5

The PERI is mainly responsible for training Vision Screening Trainers for quality assurance. Section 7
The PERI must recommend the appropriate vision screening material to be used. Section 7
The DOH and PERI must conduct research and provide evidence-based recommendations to the DepEd on matters pertaining to the NVSP. Section 8
The PERI must perform continuing research on childhood related eye vision ailments. Section 8
The vision screening database—containing screening results per child and visual conditions diagnosed by eye care practitioners and other gathered data—must be shared by and among the DepEd, DOH, PERI, and other concerned government agencies. Section 9

PhilHealth must develop a benefit package for consultation and treatment of eye diseases of children. Section 6

A Vision Screening Continuing Research (VSCR) Fund is created. Section 10
The VSCR Fund must be sourced from any donation or bequest made to the DepEd, DOH, or PERI in favor of the NVSP. Section 10
Donations and bequests to the VSCR Fund are subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. Section 10
The VSCR Fund must be used to fund the PERI for its continuing research program in connection with childhood related eye vision ailments. Section 10

Grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to the DepEd, DOH, or PERI for the NVSP and for the VSCR Fund that are used actually, directly and exclusively by the DepEd, DOH, or PERI for the NVSP and VSCR Fund are exempt from donor’s tax. Section 11
Such qualifying donations are allowed as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor for computing the donor’s taxable income under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. Section 11

PHP 10,000,000.00 must be included in the budget of the PERI of the University of the Philippines–Manila to cover implementation of the Act for public kindergarten pupils. Section 12
Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for continued implementation of the Act must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Section 12
For kindergarten pupils enrolled in private schools, funding for implementation of each school’s vision screening program must be assumed by the private schools concerned. Section 12

The DepEd, DOH, and PERI must formulate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from approval of the Act. Section 13
A separability clause applies: if any section or provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions not affected remain valid. Section 14
A repealing clause applies: all laws, decrees, orders, resolutions, instructions, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts inconsistent with the Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. Section 15