TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 859
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25 AUG “4 P5 :42
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY 
FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 9165, as amended, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive 
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" was enacted into law "to provide effective 
mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen 
victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs 
of treatment and rehabilitation".
However, there remains to be a large number of drug dependents in the 
country. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated around 1.7 
million Filipinos who were taking drugs.1 What is more alarming is that the 
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) stated that nearly half of drug abuse cases start from 
15 to 19 years old. Among the reasons why teenagers use illicit drugs are curiosity 
and experimentation, boredom, peer pressure, rebellion, instant gratification, stress 
and anxiety, social isolation, lack of confidence, escapism, self-medication, weight
1 Voluntary care model for persons who use drugs resulted in over 90% completion for treatment rate
1


loss, and influence of popular media.2 For these reasons, WHO recommended that 
"substance use disorders are similar to other chronic health conditions. They are 
linked to the individual's health and social conditions, and are best managed with a 
public health perspective and a human rights lens."3
In line with the government's efforts rehabilitate drug dependents in the 
country, various treatment and rehabilitation programs were launched. According to 
the records of the DDB, there were 3,865 admission in seventy (70) treatment and 
rehabilitation facilities in the country. "Compared with the previous year's cases, 
around forty-three percent (43%) increase in admission was noted despite some 
facilities having reported no admissions. The rise in admission can be attributed to 
the resumption of operation by the different rehabilitation centers and the seeming 
willingness of the Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) to undergo treatment and 
rehabilitation as evidenced by almost forty-one percent (40.78%) of voluntary 
submission and twenty-nine percent (29%) cases who availed of plea bargaining."4
This large percentage of dependents who are willing to undergo treatment 
and rehabilitation is an optimistic signal that they intend to lead better lives. It is, 
therefore, important to sustain the support that is being provided to them and 
expand its scope to include skills training and productivity enhancement that will 
prepare them to be self-reliant and qualified for gainful employment. This will not 
only improve their famiiies' economic conditions, but will also contribute to the 
country's development.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been 
providing training and livelihood scholarships to former drug dependents since 2016. 
In 2021, 8,200 of the 8,700, or 94% of former drug dependents graduated from 
various courses of TESDA.5
2 The Scary Facts About Teenage Drug Abuse - Blogs - Makati Medical Center
3 Voluntary care model for persons who use drugs resulted in over 90% completion for treatment rate
4 2022 Statistical Analysis - Republic of Philippines - Office of the President (ddb.gov.ph)
5 TESDA training for rehabilitated drug dependents hurdles House final reading I Philstar.com


This measure seeks to institutionalize TESDA's Technical-Vocational Education 
and Training and Livelihood Programs for rehabilitated drug dependents. Such 
institutionalization will ensure the continuity of the program and the provision of 
adequate funding for its implementation. Further, this bill proposes to give 
incentives to establishments that will employ the graduates of the said program. 
This will provide them with holistic support system for their re-integration in the 
society.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly 
recommended.
><JINGOTY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 859
25 AUG-4 P5:42
received BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
MANDATING THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL 
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY 
FOR REHABILITATED DRUG DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Training and Livelihood Programs for Rehabilitated Drug
2 
Dependents. - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
3 
in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall
4 
institutionalize the provision of technical-vocational education and training (TVET)
5 
and livelihood programs designed specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. The
6 
TVET and livelihood programs shall focus on competitive and employable skills that
7 
can be acquired and developed by rehabilitated drug dependents to further enhance
8 
their ability to find gainful employment and entrepreneurial livelihood opportunities.
9 
The DOLE shall provide incentives to companies which shall employ
10 
rehabilitated drug dependents who have undergone the TVET and livelihood
11 
programs mandated under this Act.
12 
Sec. 2. Appropriations. — The Director General of TESDA shall immediately
13 
include in TESDA's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
14 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


1 
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
2 
the effectivity of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, formulate
3 
the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
4 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
5 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
6 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
7 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
8 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
9 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
10 
modified, or amended accordingly.
11 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
12 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,