Extension of Scope of Cancer Detection and Diagnostic Center of Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital

June 17, 1967

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4921

AN ACT EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE CANCER DETECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER OF THE DR. JOSE R. REYES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO INCLUDE ALSO CANCER TREATMENT AND RESEARCH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. The scope of the existing Cancer Detection and Diagnostic Center of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, Department of Health, is hereby extended to include the following functions, in addition to its present limited function of cancer detection and diagnosis:

a) To render all forms of cancer treatment to patients, (surgery, radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, hormone therapy);

b) To extend its services of cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment particularly to indigent cancer patients;

c) To undertake the thorough instruction and training of medical and para-medical personnel in the field of oncology;

d) To utilize any of the services and facilities of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital which are necessary for the cancer center in order that it may carry out its functions properly;

e) To undertake clinical studies and researches for better control and management of cancer among Filipinos;

f) To operate a cancer registry within the center and to regularly submit its statistical data to the Office of the Department of Health, which is in charge of compiling the Official Cancer Registry in the Philippines;

g) To establish liaison with other instrumentalities and agencies, both government and private, engaged in cancer work; and

h) To perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry into effect the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 2. The official title of the Cancer Detection and Diagnostic Center of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital shall be changed to "The Cancer Center, Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital", Department of Health. acd

SECTION 3. The incumbent Head and the Staff of the existing Cancer Center of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital shall retain their respective positions and items in the Cancer Center.

SECTION 4. Appointments to new positions in the Cancer Center shall be made in accordance with law and only according to merit and technical fitness as provided for by the qualifying rules and regulations of the Department of Health and the Civil Service Commission.

SECTION 5. The powers, functions, and duties of all officers under the Department of Health on the cancer detection, diagnosis and therapy, together with all their equipment, supplies, records, files, personnel and balance of appropriations are transferred to the Cancer Center of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital.

SECTION 6. Any income of the Cancer Center shall be retained by it in its revolving fund for expansion and improvement of its various services especially for the indigent cancer patients.

SECTION 7. The Cancer Center of the Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital shall serve as the model for similar Cancer Centers to be established in five Medical Centers and Regional Training Hospitals throughout the Philippines, the number to be increased as the demand for service also increases.

SECTION 8. The sum of five hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the Annual General Appropriations Act to be expended exclusively to carry out the purposes of this Act, including the construction of an office and the purchase of equipment.

SECTION 9. All Acts, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Enacted into law without executive signature on June 17, 1967.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 63, No. 46, p. 10341 on November 13, 1967