FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) Report indicates that there are 
causal relationships between alcohol consumption and more than 60 types of diseases 
and injuries all over the world. Alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor for disease 
burden in low mortality developing countries, and the third largest risk factor in 
developed countries. Besides the numerous chronic and acute health effects, alcohol 
consumption is also associated with widespread social, mental and emotional 
consequences. These are reflected, for example, as absenteeism or abuse in 
workplaces and in relationships. On a population level, alcohol-related harm is not 
confined to the relatively small number of heavy drinkers or people diagnosed with 
alcohol use disorders. Even non-drinkers can become victims of alcohol-related 
aggression. 
To date, the consumption of beverage alcohol by minors is a rising serious 
national concern. Data indicate that most youth who drink alcohol obtain alcohol 
primarily through noncommercial sources, such as family and friends. As such, the role 
of parents and family members in reducing underage drinking, particularly among 
middle-school aged children, is critical. Numerous studies confirm the crucial role 
parents play in shaping the behavior and decision making skills of their children. Studies 
indicate that parental involvement is associated with a 67 percent less likelihood of 
drinking. 
Significant social transitions in the life of adolescents, such as moving from 
elementary school to high school or high school to college may increase the likelihood 
that adolescents will use alcohol, in part because they increase adolescent stress 
levels. Additionally, evidence shows that youth who spend more time engaged in 
volunteering, sports, music, academics and leadership are less likely to engage in risky 
behaviors, such as alcohol use. 
In many instances, the consumption of alcohol by underage drinkers were given 
consent by adults. As such, there is an urgent need to craft legislative interventions that 
would inform adults of their crucial role in addressing the problem of adolescent alcohol 
drinking. Thus, providing a community approach to the.prob1em of underage alcohol 
drinking will maximize scarce government resources and help the nation confront under- 
age drinking in a more effective and cost-efficient manner and enable local communities 
to implement the most effective tactics to reduce underage drinking. 
Some people argue that the relatively high drinking age at 18 years old lowers 
the risk of road accidents and alcohol addiction in younger people. Others argue that if 
one is old enough to vote and be drafted, one is old enough to drink, and that being 


introduced to alcohol at a younger age in a family environment means people are more 
likely to learn responsible drinking habits. 
The growing recognition that alcohol consumption is a significant contributor to 
the global burden of disease means that alcohol requires greater attention by the public 
health community than it is receiving at present. Appropriate policy responses are 
needed to address the various health and social problems associated with use of and 
dependence on alcohol, particularly among our young adolescents. With growing 
awareness of alcohol consumption as one of the major risk factors to public health, 
countries and communities should search for policies that protect and promote health 
among our adolescents, prevent harm and address the many social problems 
associated with alcohol use among our underage population. 
Laws surrounding alcohol vary, but generally, minors are not allowed inside of 
drinking establishments, are not allowed to purchase alcohol, and are not allowed to 
drink. Proof of age is normally required to enter bars and clubs, or to buy alcoholic 
beverages in shops. However, experience indicate that any young adolescent can 
easily purchase alcoholic drinks in our retail stores without having to show any 
identification cards. This indicates that there is an urgent need on the part of the 
government and various stakeholders to implement a nationwide information, education 
and communication (IEC) campaign in order to educate the general public of the health 
risks associated with underage alcohol drinking. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 
Y- 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
1 
8 
‘LP 2,’ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM TO PREVENT AND 
ADDRESS UNDERAGE DRINKING AND IMPROVE ITS MONITORING AND 
REPORTING SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Prevention Act of 2008”. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be cited as the ”Underage Drinking 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them. As such, the State shall promote an environment conducive to the 
development of the youth to develop their best potentials in becoming independent, self- 
reliant and productive members of society. 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the establishment of institutional 
and social programs that will support and assist minors who are engaged in underage 
drinking. 
SEC. 3. 
Early Identification and Intervention for Children with Alcohol 
Drinking Problems. - The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the DSWD 
and local government units, is hereby mandated to establish a program for early 
identification and detection of minors with alcohol drinking problems. 
SEC. 4. 
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. - 
The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd) shall implement a 
nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on the health 
and other related risks associated with underage drinking. 
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SEC. 5. 
Counseling Program, - Parallel to the programs being 
implemented by the DOH, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 
in coordination with the local government units, shall implement a nationwide counseling 
program for minors engaged in alcohol drinking problems. 
The funds needed to implement this program shall be incorporated in the annual 
appropriation of the DSWD. 
SEC. 6. 
Comprehensive Study on Underage Drinking. - The Department 
of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd), is hereby mandated to 
conduct a comprehensive study on the trends and prevalence of underage drinking in 
the country, taking into account the age-levels, socio-demographic, socio-economic 
factors, cultural, policy environment and pre-disposing factors that affect the high 
incidence of underage drinking in the country. 
The comprehensive study on the state of underage drinking problem shall 
The regional trends in the number of minor children with alcohol drinking 
The socio-economic and demographic characteristics of minor children 
include, among others, the following: 
(1) 
problems; 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
The Department of Health (DOH) shall evaluate all government-funded underage 
engaged in alcohol drinking problem; 
The relationship between the extent of under-age alcohol drinking and its 
A volume of alcohol purchased by under-age alcohol drinkers on a per 
The educational status of under-age alcohol drinkers. 
relation to the ability to finish their college education; 
region analysis; and 
drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness in 
reducing underage drinking. 
Within two (2) years from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of 
Health (DOH) shall make a report to both Houses of Congress on the results of the 
study conducted by the Department for policy implication, In Aid of Legislation, in order 
to promote the welfare and well-being of the youth and curtail the rising number of 
under-age alcohol drinkers in the country. 
SEC. 7. 
Grants to Increase Parental lnvolvement in School-Based 
Efforts to Prevent Underage Drinking. - The Secretary of the Department of 
Education (DepEd) shall implement a Technical Assistance Grant, on a competitive 
basis, to local government units and non-government organizations, which will 
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implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and 
involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools. 
To be eligible to receive the above-cited Technical Assistance Grant under this 
Section, the project proponent shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of the 
Department of Education an application, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary of Education may require. 
Such application shall include-- 
(1) 
a description of the program and activities to be carried out under the 
a detailed description that such activities will meet the principles of 
a statement that the project proponent will evaluate its program and 
submit a report to the Secretary of Education concerning the effectiveness of the 
programs and activities to be carried out under the Technical Assistance Grant. 
Technical Assistance Grant; 
(2) 
(3) 
effectiveness in achieving the purpose of this Act; 
SEC. 8. 
National Data Collection, Monitoring and Reporting System. - 
The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to institutionalize 
a National Data Collection, Monitoring and Reporting System in order to improve the 
data collection of underage drinking problem in the country. The Secretary of Health 
shall ensure that national funded surveys and research related to underage drinking is 
collected and reported in a consistent manner to accurately reflect underage drinking 
which will allow other users of such data to compare the results of surveys conducted 
and reported. 
Local government units are mandated to collect data on underage drinking and 
shall institute ways to preserve said data. The LGUs shall ensure that all data collected 
allow for demographic breakdown related to individuals who are under the age of 18. 
Furthermore, the local government units are mandated to establish short-term and long- 
term goals with respect to improving data collection at the local level not later than one 
year from the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 9. 
Alcohol Free Campus. - For purposes of this Act, all public and 
private elementary, high school, colleges and universities in the country are hereby 
declared as “Alcohol Free Campuses”. Towards this end, it is hereby prohibited to sell 
alcoholic beverages and drinks for minors below 18 years old within school campuses 
all over the country. 
Any person or retail stores found in violation of the provision of this Section shall 
be imposed a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,OOO) but not more than 
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Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months to 
six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court of competent jurisdiction. 
SEC. I O .  
Annual Conference on Underage Drinking Preventlon. - The 
Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Council 
for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and various stakeholders, is hereby mandated to 
conduct an Annual Conference on Underage Drinking Prevention which will be 
participated by various stakeholders, including the academe, school administrators, 
manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and marketing agents of alcohol products, 
government regulators, policy makers and various health providers. 
The Annual Conference shall be an avenue to share knowledge on the various 
issues related to the rising incidence of underage drinking problem in the country. 
The proceedings of the Annual Conference on Underage Drinking Prevention 
shall be published and be made available to the public. 
SEC. 11. 
Appropriation. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the 
Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG) and Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). 
SEC. 12. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) 
days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), 
Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall 
adopt the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRK) to implement the 
provisions of this measure. 
SEC. 13. 
Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be 
taken from the appropriations of the respective Departments tasked to implement the 
provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 14. 
Repeahg Clsuse. - All laws presidential decrees, executive 
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 15. 
Separabiility CkUS@. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 16. 
Effectjvity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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