JUNE 3, 2012 DATE

NR # 2759
REF. NO.

House approves Blood Type Identification Act

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill requiring all government agencies issuing licenses, certificates and identification cards to bear the blood type of the owner of such document to allow immediate action or transfusion response in particular during medical emergencies and in times of disaster. House Bill 6154 -- authored by House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II (Lone District, Mandaluyong City) and Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac) and Augusto Syjuco (2nd District, Iloilo) -- aims to promote prompt and effective blood transfusion response for medical emergencies. The measure, which substitutes House Bills 111, 505, 907 and 974, covers government issued identification documents such as birth certificates, community tax certificates, drivers licenses, professional licenses as issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), firearms licenses, Social Security System (SSS) cards, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) cards and passports. Accidents and other medical emergency situations happen to everyone. Thus, in case of emergency which results in excessive blood loss, immediate matching of the correct blood type may be transfused in order to save the life of the victim. Knowledge of ones blood type is important for both the recipient and the donor for the immediate transfusion of the appropriate blood, Gonzales said. Angara said the blood supply system is one that requires a high degree of scientific accuracy, training and integrity. The blood products must be pure as there is little room for error. Blood typing underscores this need for accuracy. Through this measure, the safety of citizens undergoing medical procedures is ensured, Angara said. Yap said Filipinos have generally low awareness of their own blood type, adding that this simple knowledge spells life or death in unlikely situations and events such as accidents, disasters or calamities. During these times, information on the blood type of the victim come in handy so that the rescue worker or health practitioner can easily identify the need, resources and what ought to be done, Yap said. Syjuco said since during emergencies, identification cards, certificates and licenses are the primary sources of information of the authorities or rescuers, so that necessary medical attention can be provided immediately. It is imperative that the holder must indicate only accurate information to avoid further harm, he added.

JUNE 3, 2012 DATE

NR # 2759
REF. NO.

Under the measure to be known as the Blood Type Identification Act of 2012, government agencies such as the GSIS, SSS, PRC, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Local Treasurers Office, Local Registrars Office and other agencies which may later be identified or created are mandated to indicate in their issued certificates, licenses and identification cards the blood type of the owner-holder. The bill imposes a fine of P10, 000 on any person who deliberately bears false information as to ones blood type. Any person in government office who violates the provisions of this Act shall be dismissed form the government service in addition to the penalty stipulated in the bill. The Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. Co-authors of the measure are Reps. Alfredo Maraon III (2nd District, Negros Occidental), Tomas Apacible (1st District, Batangas), Patricio Antonio (Party-list, Agbiag), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), David Kho (Party-list, Senior Citizens), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, ACT Teachers), Teddy Casio (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Walden Bello (Party-list, Akbayan), Raymond Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan), Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. (Lone District, City of Dasmarias), Niel Tupas, Jr. (5th District, Iloilo), Maria Milagros Magsaysay (1st District, Zambales), Philip Pichay 1st District, Surigao del Sur), Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas), Emil Ong (2nd District, Northern Samar), Jesus Crispin Remulla (7th District, Cavite), Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila), Robert Raymond Estrella (Party-list, Abono), Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City), Arnulfo Go (2nd District, Sultan Kudarat), Ferjenel Biron (4th District, Iloilo), Nur Jaafar (Lone District, Tawi-Tawi), Yevgeny Vincente Emano (2nd District, Misamis Oriental), Rommel Amatong (2nd District, Compostela Valley), Godofredo Arquiza (Party-list, Senior Citizens), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Janette Garin (1st District, Iloilo), Randolph Ting (3rd District, Cagayan), Florencio Flores, Jr. (2nd District, Bukidnon), Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Fernando Gonzalez (3rd District, Albay), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon), Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Lone District, Malabon City), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Karlo Alexie Nograles (1st District, Davao City), Emerenciana de Jesus (Party-list, Gabriela), Eufranio Eriguel (2nd District, La Union), Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Ma. Isabelle Climaco (1st District, Zamboanga City), Carlos Padilla (Lone District, Nueva Vizcaya) and Bernadette HerreraDy (Party-list, Ang Bagong Henerasyon). (30) lvc