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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 1888 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a range of disorders, known as fetal alcohol 
spectrum disorders (FASDs). One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is 
fetal alcohol syndrome (F AS). F AS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental 
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retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be 
born with FAS, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities. F AS is 
characterized by abnormal facial features, ,growth deficiencies, and central nervous system 
, 
(CNS) problems. People with FAS might have problems with learning, memory, attention span, 
communication, vision, hearing, or a combination of these. These problems often lead to 
• difficulties in school and problems getting 'along with others. 
F AS is a permanent condition. It affects every aspect of an individual's life and the lives 
of his or her family. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is an umbrella term describing the 
range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. 
These effects include physical, mental, behavioral, andlor learning disabilities with possible 
iifelong implications. 
.1 )(1,( 
.) '3 "°4 
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',,' 
In February 2005, the US Surgeon General issued an Advisory on Alcohol Use in 
Pregnancy to raise public awareness about this important health concern. To reduce prenatal 
alcohol exposure, prevention efforts should larget not only pregnant women who are currently 
drinking, but also women who could become pregnant, are drinking at high-risk levels, and are 
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having unprotected sex. This bill aims to increase awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and 
lessen its incidence.' 
Lw,- 4~ . 
.4~ ~v~~ 
MIRIAM DEF 
SOR SA-NTIA,O 
JJf( 
• This bill was originally Iiled during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 1888: 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
, 
TO PREVENT FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Shorf Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 
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Warning Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term -
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(A) 
"Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" or FAS is a disorder of permanent birth defects that 
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occurs in the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. The main effect of FAS 
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is permanent central nervous system damage, especially damage in the brain. Developing brain 
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cells and structures are underdeveloped or malformed by prenatal alcohol exposure, often 
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creating. an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities (including poor memory, 
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attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-effect reasoning) as well as secondary 
12. disabilities; 
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(B) 
"Alcoholic beverage" is any drink containing ethanol, commonly known as 
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alcohol, which is a psychoacti~e drug, with a depressant effect; and 
IS 
(C) 
"Depattment" means the Department of Health. 
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SECTION 3. Packaging Requirement. - Any person who offers any alcoholic beverage 
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for sale shall include a clear, conSpiCI1011S,' and easily readable label on the packaging of the 
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beverage and a warning in the business establishment stating: 
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"WARNING: Consumption of alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer shortly before 
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conception or during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol 
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syndrome and alcohol-related neurological disorders." 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
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or fines against an employer f01: viOlations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In 
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no circumstance shall any penalties or fines exceed Ten Thousand Pesos (PIO,OOO.OO) for each 
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day the permit holder remains in violation. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
10' valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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cirder, 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 7. 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 . 
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Approved, 
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