FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2273

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There is an inherent need to ensure the total human development and
the protection and promotion of the well-being of the youth, who comprise
almost two-thirds of the population, more importantly because they are
considered the hope of the country. In fact the Constitution, in recognition of the
vital role of the youth in nation-building, mandates the State under Article 11,
Section 13, "to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual,
and social well-being and encourage their involvement in public and civic
affairs." Furthermore, under Section 14, “the State shall protect and promote
the right of the people and instill health consciousness among them."

Considering that majority of the youth are of school age, one way to
carry out these constitutional provisions, is to declare the university belt in
Manila and all other school, college or university sites or campuses, whether
public or private, as drug-free zones and child protection zones. Drug-free
zones refer to the total ban on drugs, alcoholic drinks, lewd shows,
pornographic or obscene materials and its effective implementation in and
around school sites within a three (3) kilometer radius. Child protection zones,
‘on the other hand, refer to the undertaking of protective measures for children
within a three (3) kilometer radius such as but not limited to providing for (a)
food products inspection within the zone, (b) marshals to aid the children
against criminal activity and ensure their safety, (c) child assistance centers,
and (d) crowding out of criminal elements within the zone.

This bill seeks to declare the sites for schools, colleges and universities
as drug-free and child protection zones; hence, approval of this bill is earnestly

requested.
RuPUS B. RODRIGUEZ
MAXIMO B RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS Y
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

2273

House Bill No.,

AN ACT
TO DECLARE THE UNIVERSITY BELT AREA IN MANILA AND ALL OTHER
SCHOOL SITES OR CAMPUSES IN THE COUNTRY WHETHER PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE AS DRUG-FREE AND CHILD PROTECTION ZONES,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SEC 1. Statement of Policy - 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.

The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant to these provisions of the
Constitution, the Zonal Protection Policy as is understood in Section 3 hereof
shall be adopted by the Government.

SEC 2. Coverage - This Act shall apply to all persons, students, faculty
members, parents, school and govemment personnel involved with or related
to a public or private school, college or university. Business or commercial and
other public or private establishments and other persons within the Drug-Free
Zone or Child Protection Zone are also subject to the provisions of this Act.

SEC 3. Declaration - The University Belt Area in Manila, and all other
school, college or university sites or campuses whether public or private are
hereby declared to be drug-free zones, and child protection zones. Drug-free
zones refer to the total ban on dangerous, prohibited and regulated drugs,
alcoholic drinks, lewd shows, pomographic or obscene materials and its


ST effective implementation in-and around school sites within’a three (3) kilometer
radius. Child protection zone refers to the undertaking of protective measure for
children within a 3-kilometer radius such as but not limited to:

(2) Provision for inspection of all food products within the 3 kilometers
radius;

(b) Provision for marshals to aid the children against criminal activity and
ensure their safety;

(©) Provision for child assistance centers and the equipment necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act;

(a) Provision for crowding out of criminal elements within the child
protection zone.

SEC 4. Effects of Declaration -

(a) All schools, establishments and personnel within the zones shall be
under the governance of the Council established under section 5 hereof,
which shall be tasked to implement the provisions of this Act;

() Search and seizure authority is hereby vested in the Council;

(c) A warrant of arrest shall be dispensed with for the arrest and eviction of
persons having criminal records or conviction found within the zones;

(d) The legal periods for detention of persons involved in criminal offense
within the zone shall also be dispensed with, unless the person
voluntarily relocates to a place outside the zone;

(@) After due inspection, the closure of all establishments within the zone
found to be violating the provisions of this Act, is also vested in the
Council.

SEC 5. Drug-Free Zone Council/Child Protection Zone Council. -
For the University Belt Area and other school sites or clusters of the same,
there is hereby established a Drug-Free Zone Council, and Child Protection
Zone Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) which shall implement the

provisions of this Act.
A. Composition - The Council shall be composed of the following
members:
1) The head of the school or one chosen from among them

if school clusters are involved;


2) An undersecretary-of the Department” of Interior-and
Local Goverment (DILG);

3) A representative of the Mayor(s) of the city or
municipality involved;

4) An undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD);

5) President of the Student Council;

6) President of Parents Teachers Association (PTA); and

2 Chairman to be appointed by the President.

B. Term of Office - The term of office of the members of the Council shall
be for five (5) years with reappointment.

C. Functions - The Council shall have the following functions:

(a) To formulate a program of action to effectively implement the provisions
of this Act;

(©) To submit a monthly progress report with the President and Congress
with respect to the implementation of the provisions of this Act;

(©) To coordinate with other government agencies in implementing the plan
and other programs of the council

(d) To provide for a reward and/or incentive system necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act; and

(e) To deputize law enforcement and other government agencies for the
implementation of this Act;

(f) Such other functions incidental or necessary for the implementation of
this Act.

SEC 6. Appropriations - The primary source of funds for the use of the
Council shall be from the private sector contributions or from other local or
foreign grants. In addition, the President shall allocate the amount necessary
for the needs of the Council from the budget of the Office of the President.

SEC 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within thirty (30) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Council, in coordination with the Department


of Education (DepEd),-shall-issue~and~ publish the-rules~and-regutations “to
implement the provisions of this Act

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

SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.