SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2562 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT REGULATING YOUTH CAMPS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Art. II, Section 13 provides: 
,. ') 
JAN -5 P 4 :00 
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Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, 
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, 
and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
Youth camps have become popular in the Philippines in recent years. They offer a wide 
variety of specialized activities and serve as an alternative learning system for young people. 
There are now camps for the performing arts, outdoor activities, language learning, sports, and 
children with special needs, among others. There are also religiously-affiliated youth camps, 
such as those run by church groups. The primary purpose of most youth camps is educational or 
cultural development. . A youth camp environment may allow young people to take healthy risks 
in a safe and nurturing environment. 
This Act regulates youth camps to ensure the safety and well-being of the young people 
who attend these camps.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 2562 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
J~N -5 P 4 :no 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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AN ACT REGULATING YOUTH CAMPS 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Youth Camps Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the 
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youth. 
The State encourages the establishment of youth camps which serve as alternative 
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learning systems for young people. 
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SECTION 3. Definitions. - In this Act, the term-
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(a) 
"Youth camp" includes any regularly scheduled program or organized group 
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activity advertised as a camp or operated only during school vacations or on weekends by a 
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person, partnership, corporation, association, or an agency under the local government for 
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recreational or edncational purposes, and accommodating for profit or under philanthropic or 
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charitable auspices tlve (5) or more children, who are under eighteen (18) years of age and who 
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are (i) not bona fide personal guests in the private home of an individual, and (ii) living apart 
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from their relatives, parents, or legal guardian, for a period of two (2) days or more per week or 
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portions of two (2) or more days per week, provided any such relative, parent, or guardian who is 
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an employee of such camp shall not be considered to be in the position of loco parentis to such 
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employee's child for the purposes of this Act. 
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A youth camp, tor purposes of this Act, does not include (i) classroom-based summer 
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instructional programs operated by any person, provided no activities that may pose a health risk 
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or hazard to participating children are conducted at such programs; (ii) schools which operate a 
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summer educational program; (iii) licensed day care centers; or (iv) drop-in programs for 
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children who are at least six (6) years of age administered by a nationally chartered boy's and 
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girls' club; 
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(b) 
"Resident camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or 
maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or 
buildings intended to accommodate five (5) or more children who are under eighteen (18) years 
of age for at least twenty-four (24) consecutive hours and in which the campers attending such 
camps eat and sleep; 
(c) 
"Day camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted, or 
maintained 011 any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or 
buildings intended to accommodate five (5) or more children who are under eighteen (18) years 
of age during daylight hours for at least two (2) days a week with the campers eating and 
sleeping at home, except for one meal per day; 
(d) 
"Person" means any agency of a local government unit, individual, partnership, 
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association, organization, limited liability company, or corporation; 
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(e) 
(t) 
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Health; and 
"Department" means the Department of Health (DOH). 
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SECTION 4. License. - No person shall establish, conduct, or maintain a youth camp 
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without a license issued by the department. Applications for such license shall be made in 
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writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the youth camp on forms provided and in 
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accordance with procedures established by the Secretary and shall be accompanied by payment 
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of a license fee to be prescribed by the Secretary. All such licenses shall be valid for a period of 
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one (1) year tl-om the date of issuance, unless surrendered for cancellation or suspended or 
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revoked by the Secretary for violation of this Act or any regulations adopted under this Act; and 
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shall be renewable upon payment of the appropriate license fee. 
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The Secretary may waive the paymcnt of the license fee if the applicant is a nonprofit, 
nonstock corporation or association. 
SECTION 5. Requirements /ar Licensing a/Camps. - To be eligible for the issuance or 
renewal of a youth camp license pursuant to this Act, the camp shall satisfy the following 
requirements: 
(a) 
The location of the camp shall be such as to provide adequate surface drainage 
and afford facilities for obtaining a good water supply; 
(b) 
Each dwelling unit, building, and structure shall be maintained in good condition, 
suitable for the use to which it is put, and shall present no health or fire hazard as so ccrtitled by 
the department and the local fire marshal, as indicated by a current fire 2marshal certificate dated 
within the past year and available on site when the youth camp is in operation; 
(c) 
There shall be an adequate and competent staff, which includes the camp director 
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or assistant director, one of whom shall be on site at all times the camp is in operation, activities 
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specialists, counselors, and maintenance personnel, all of whom shall be of good character and 
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reputation; 
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(d) 
Prior to assuming responsibility for campers, the staff shall 
be trained, at a 
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minimum, on the camp's policies and procedures pertaining to behavioral management and 
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supervision, emergency health and safety procedures, and recognizing, preventing, and reporting 
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child abuse and neglect; 
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(e) 
All sports and other physical activities, including, but not limited to, archery, 
aquatics, or horseback riding, shall be supervised by a qualified activities specialist who has 
adequate experience and training in such specialist's area of specialty; 
(f) 
The staif of a resident and nonresident camp shall at all times include an adult 
trained in the administration of first aid; 
(g) 
Records of personal data for each camper shall be kept in any reasonable form the 
camp director may choose, and shall include (i) the camper's name, age, and address, (ii) the 
name, address, and telephone number of the parents or guardian, (iii) the dates of admission and 
discharge, and (iv) such other information as the Secretary shall require. 
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(h) 
The Secretary may prescribe additional requirements for licensing in appropriate 
-rules 01' regulations. 
Any youth camp licensed under this Act shall operate only as the type of camp authorized 
by such license. Such camps shall not advertise any service they are not equipped or licensed to 
offer. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at camp headquarters and failure to so 
post the license shall result in the presumption that the camp is being operated in violation of this 
Act. 
SECTION 6. Revocation or Suspension of License. - (a) The Secretary may take any of 
the actions authorized under subsection (b) if the youth camp licensee: 
(i) 
is convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, the record of 
conviction being conclusive evidence thereof; 
(ii) 
is legally adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent, the record of such 
adjudication being conclusive evidence thereof; 
(iii) 
uses any dangerous drug; or any narcotic or any controlled drug, to an 
extent or in a manner that such use impairs the licensee's ability to 
properly care for children; 
(iv) 
(v) 
(vi) 
fails to comply with laws and regulations for licensing youth camps; 
furnishes or makes any misleading or any false statement or report to the 
depmiment; 
refuses to submit to the department any reports or refuses to make 
available to the department any records required by it in investigating the 
facility for licensing purposes; 
(vii) 
fails or refuses to submit to an investigation or inspection by the 
department or to admit authorized representatives of the department at any 
reasonable time for the purpose of investigation, inspection, or licensing; 
(viii) 
fails to provide, maintain, equip. and keep in safe and sanitary condition 
premises established for or used by the cmnpers pursuant to minimum 
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(b) 
(ix) 
standards prescribed by the department or by ordinances or regulations 
applicable to the location of such facility; or 
willfully or deliberately violates any of the provisions of this Act. 
The Secretary may take any of the following actions, singly or in combination, in 
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any case in which the Secretary finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with this 
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Act and regulations adopted pursuant to this Act: 
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(c) 
(i) 
Revoke a license; 
(ii) 
Suspend a license; 
(iii) 
Impose a fine of not less than one thousand pesos (Pl,OOO) per violation 
for each day of occulTence; 
(iv) 
Place a licensee on probationary status and require such licensee to report 
regularly to the department on the matters that are the basis of the 
probation; or 
(v) 
Restrict the acquisition of other facilities for a period of time set by the 
Secretary. 
The Secretary shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the Secretary's intention to 
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suspend or revoke the license or to impose a licensure action. The licensee may, if aggrieved by 
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such intended action, make application for a hearing, in writing, over the licensee's signature to 
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the Secretary. The licensee shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the 
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licensee claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the Secretary not later than 
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thirty (30) days after the licensee's receipt of notification of the intended action. 
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(d) 
The Secretary shall hold a hearing not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of 
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such application and shall, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, 
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giving the time and place of the hearing, to the licensee. The hearing may be conducted by the 
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Secretary or by a hearing officer appointed by the Secretary, in writing. The Secretary or hearing 
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officer may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses. The licensee shall be entitled 
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to be represented by counsel and a transcript of the hearing shall be made. If the hearing is 
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conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall state the hearing officer's findings and 
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make a recommendation to the Secretary on the issue of revocation or suspension or the intended 
licensure action. 
(e) 
The Secretary, based upon the findings and recommendation of the hearing 
officer, or after a hearing conducted by the Secretary, shall render the Secretary's decision, in 
writing, suspending, revoking, or continuing the license or regarding the intended licensure 
action. A copy of the decision shall be sent by certified mail to the licensee. The decision 
revoking or suspending the license or a decision imposing a licensure action shall become 
effective thirty (30) days after it is mailed by registered or certified mail to the licensee. A 
licensee aggrieved by the decision of the Secretary may appeal to the Office of the President 
within thirty (30) days from receipt of the decision. 
(f) 
The provisions of subsections (c) to ( e) shall not apply to the denial of an initial 
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application for a license under section 4, provided the Secretary notifies the applicant of any such 
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denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant's 
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address shown on the license application. 
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SECTION 7. Penalties. -- Any person who establishes, conducts, or maintains a youth 
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camp without a license as required by this Act for a first offense shall be subject to a fine of not 
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more than five thousand pesos (P5,000), and for a second or subsequent offense shall be subject 
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to a fine of not more than ten thousand pesos (PI0,OOO), and each day during which a youth 
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camp is conducted or maintained without a license, after notification to such person by the 
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Secretary, shall constitute a separate offense. The Secretary may apply to the courts for an . 
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injunction to restrain the operation or maintenance of a youth camp by any person other than a 
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licensed operator. The application for such injunction or the issuance of the same shall be in 
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addition to and shall not relieve any such person from the imposition of the fines under this 
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section. In connection with any such application for an injunction, it shall not be necessary to 
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prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist. 
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SECTION 8. inspection a/Facilities. - The Department of Health shall inspect Or cause 
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to be inspected the facilities to be operated by an applicant for an original license before the 
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license shall be granted, and shall annually thereafter inspect or cause to be inspected the 
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facilities of all licensees. No annual inspection shall be required under this section in the case of 
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facilities of a licensee located in any dormitory, classroom, or other building or any athletic 
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facility owned and maintained by any college or university, provided a timely safety inspection 
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of such building or facility, satisfactory to the department, is conducted by or on behalf of such 
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college or university. 
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SECTION 9. Regulations on Sqre Operation, Physical Examinations, and Glucose 
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Monitoring/or Diabetes. - (a) The Secretary shall adopt regulations relating to the safe operation 
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of youth camps, including, but not limited to, personnel qualifications for director and staff; ratio 
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of staff to campers; sanitation and public health; personal health, first aid, and medical services; 
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food handling, mass feeding, and cleanliness; water supply and waste disposal; water safety, 
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including use of lakes and rivers, swimming and boating equipment and practices, vehicle 
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condition and operation; building and site design; equipment; and condition and density of use, 
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as the Secretary may deem necessary or desirable. Such regulations shall be construed to be 
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minimum standards subject to the imposition and enforcement of higher standards by the local 
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government in the municipality, city, or province where the youth camp is located, or by other 
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laws, rules, or regulations. 
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(b) 
The Secretary shall adopt regulations on physical examinations or health status 
certifications by a physician or a registered nurse that may be required by youth camps for their 
campers prior to the date of arrival at the youth camps. Such regulations shall permit a physical 
examination that is required for school purposes to also be used to satisfy any such required 
youth camp examination or certification, subject to such conditions regarding the timeliness of 
such examination as the Secretary deems appropriate. 
(c) 
The Secretary shall adopt regulations (hat specify conditions under which youth 
camp directors and staff may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed 
diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in 
the regulations adopted by the Secretary, to a child enrolled in the youth camp. The regulations 
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shall require authorization pursuant to: (i) the written order of a physician, dentist, or qualified 
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medical practitioner; and (2) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. 
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SECTION 10. Complaints Against Youth Camps. - Any person having reasonable cause 
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to believe that a youth camp is operating without a current and valid license, or in violation of 
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this Act or any regulations under it, or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the 
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health, welfare, and safety of a child receiving youth camp services, may report such information 
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to the Department of Health. The department shall investigate any report or complaint received 
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pursuant to this section. In connection with any investigation of a youth camp, the Secretary or 
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said Secretary's authorized agent may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony, and 
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order the production of books, records, and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify 
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or to produce any book, record, or document when so ordered, a judge of the Regional Trial 
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Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section. The 
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name of the person making the report or complaint shall not be disclosed unless (I) such person 
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consents to such disclosure; (2) a judicial or administrative proceeding results therefrom; or (3) a 
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license action pursuant to section 6 results from such report or complaint. 
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SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Ijab121814 
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