The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to establish a National Vision Screening Program for kindergarten pupils to facilitate early detection of eye disorders and ailments among them.
House Bill 3222, authored by Representatives Pia Cayetano of Taguig City-Pateros, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija and Alfred Vargas of Quezon City, seeks to identify early childhood visual problems and provide immediate attention to visually impaired kindergarten pupils through the creation of the NVSP under the Department of Education.
The bill provides for the creation of the Vision Screening Continuing Research Fund (VSCF) through donations to DepEd or the Department of Health. The VSCF shall be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.
It mandates tax exemptions for donors to the NVSP and VSCF, and that the amount necessary for the implementation of the program shall be included in the DOH and DepEd budgets in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Data from the Philippine Eye Research Institute show one in 20 pre-schoolers and one in four school-aged children have an eye problem. Also, over 10 percent of young Filipino children have visual acuity problems, higher than the five to 10 percent of the United States and Europe.
The Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology likewise underscored that poor vision at a young age impairs the child’s performance in school and impacts their interactions with the community.
Cayetano, a deputy speaker, underscored the importance of early detection, noting many eye problems could be resolved at an early stage through simple diagnostic exams and non-surgical procedures.
Cayetano sad she is hopeful that the Senate will act on the measure at the soonest possible time.
