Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BilNo.__ 9401

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Present laws in the country have set the minimum legal drinking age at 18
but due to leniency in monitoring and implementation, have led to unabated and
widespread underage drinking. Compounding the problem is the ease by which
alcohol such as beer and hard drinks can easily be bought in groceries and
convenience stores by teenagers. Also, a great number of young people can get
alcohol from home, from friends or can just discreetly buy for themsetves which
‘only goes to show that such products can easily be obtained from various
sources.

Cases of violence, sexual and drug abuse and suicide among Filipino
teenagers have been on the upswing due to underage drinking. Easy access to
alcohol and other similar products by minors has become a growing concem for
society as it slowly corrupts and destroys their future and that of the country.

This bill, therefore, seeks to guarantee that our nation's youth will become
responsible members of Philippine society. It prohibits minors from drinking
alcohol, and penalizes those wha take advantage and illegally provide them easy
access to alcohol including those establishments who sell such products to them
with wanton disregard of the negative effects if uncontrolled


tn view of the foregaing reasons, the immediate passage of this proposed
measure is eamestly requested.

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DIOSDADO Al AL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5101

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Underage
Drinking Act of 2011."

SECTION 2. Dectaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of
the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intelectual, and social well-being. Towards this end, the State shall
undertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse and reduce underage drinking by
prohibiting minors’ access to atcohol.

SECTION 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act, the term -
(1) “minors" — shall refer to one who is below 18 years old;

(2) "alcohol" — shail refer to ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine
including all dilutions, purifications and mixtures thereof, from whatever
source by whatever process produced and shail include whisky, brandy,
tum, gin, tequila, and vodka and other similar products or mitures. It
shall also include matt beverages, mixed or fermented liquors, including
tuba, basi, tapuy and {ambanog,


(3) “alcoholic beverages" - shall refer to liquor or brew containing alcohol
as the active agent; and

(4) “establishment” — shall refer to a place used for commercial purposes,
such as bars, restaurants, dance clubs, hotels, retail stores, supermarkets,
and other places with common business areas.

SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts are prohibited:
(1) The purchase of alcohol by minors from vendors or other sources
(2) Purchasing or obtaining alcohol for minors.

(3) Misrepresentation of one's age by presenting false identification or
otherwise represent themselves as being of legal purchase age

(4) Allowing the consumption or possession of any alcoholic beverages by
@ person under 18 years of age on an establishment's premises, no matter
who purchased the alcoholic beverages or where they were purchased.

(5) Selling, giving, or otherwise providing alcohol to minors by an
establishment which is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, or for any
employee of that licensee, to sell or furnish any alcholic beverages at any
time to a person under 18 years of age.

SECTION 5. Penatties. -

(1) Any minor who has violated any of the provisions of this act shail be
required to render community service. Community service may consist of
such acts as being required to appear before school groups to explain the
dangers of alcoho! abuse. The objective is to require the offenders to
provide services that benefit society in a more constructive way and
introduce the idea of ethical action into the value system of the
perpetrator.

Such minor shall then be committed to the care of his father or mother, or
nearest relative or family friend or the proper rehabilitation facility if so
required.

(2) Suspension of driver's license for those who permitted unlawful or
fraudulent use of their license in connection with any of the violations
listed above.

(3) Establishments that have violated any of the provisions of this law are
subject to fines of Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the first offense


and Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for a repeated offense.
Suspension or revocation of the license of repeat offenders shall be
fecommended to the appropriate local government unit.

SECTION 6. Creation of the Anti-Underage Drinking Body. - A body
tasked with monitoring the enforcement of this law shall be created. It shall be
composed of a chair and four (4) members, who shall be appointed by the
President. The body shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To monitor the enforcement and compliance with this law;

{2) To recommend the suspension or revocation of permits for erring
establishments. Such recommendations will be submitted to the mayor's
office, at the licensing office of the local government unit concerned:

(3) To refer cases to the Department of Social Welfare so that adequate
assistance and care may be given to the minor and the minors parents;
and

{4) To make an annual report to Congress on the enforcement of the law.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the
Department of Social Welfare and Devetopment (DSWD). Thereafter, such sum.
as may be necessary for its full implementation shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item.

SECTION 8. Separabiliy Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is hetd
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees or
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders or rules.
and regulations, which may be inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed
tepealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days following its publication in two (2) newspapers of genera! circulation.

Approved,