EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 
359
ofu--- - ■ ■ 
■i -’
•19 JULll PI
RECt V .‘ K , ..
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
MAINSTREAMING THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO PHILIPPINE DRUG 
POLICY, 
ESTABLISHING 
AND 
IMPLEMENTING 
COMMUNITY- 
BASED 
PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES FOR DRUG-RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS, 
AND PROHIBITING HARMFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY INTERVENTIONS AND 
PRACTICES, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR, 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
There is an emerging global consensus that a one-sided approach—one that is 
heavy on law enforcement and criminal justice—in addressing the drug problem is a 
failed policy and practice. It is inadequate and insufficient in suppressing the supply and 
demand for illegal drugs. And at worst, it is violent, corruptible, prone to abuse and 
often leads to violation of people's right.
A cursory search on the experiences of other countries—United States, Thailand, 
Mexico, and Colombia—in mounting and waging a war on drugs showed that they failed 
to achieve its goals and objectives of a drug-free community. It fueled poverty, 
undermined 
health, 
marginalized the 
poor, 
displaced 
people, 
and endangered 
democracy and civil society.1
It is a confirmation that a "one-size-fits-all" war on drugs solution has failed and 
it has had many unintended and devastating consequences: it has done more harm 
than drug abuse itself and killed more people than drug overdose mortalities. It created 
the necessity to find new ways to minimize harm and explore effective drugs policies 
that are humane, scientific and evidence-based.
This is why global drug policy is taking a pivot towards adopting public health 
and human rights-based framework as a dominant approach in addressing drug
hUp://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/publications/reporls/endiiig-drugs


problems. Such shift is seen in the drugs policies and practices of countries like 
Vietnam, Malaysia, France, Australia, Hongkong, China, Iran, Portugal, Czech Republic, 
the Netherland, Switzerland, the United States, Thailand, Myanmar, among others.
Although there is a considerable shift in the global drugs policy away from a 
failed war on drugs, the Philippines is lagging in terms of policy and practice.
The country's war on drugs resulted in thousands of drug-related deaths and 
arrests: 4,948 deaths during anti-drugs operations; 22,983 drug-related deaths under 
investigations; and forced surrendering of 1,308, 078 suspected drug users.2
The war on drugs continued and expanded to the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, 
Cavite and the cities of Cebu and General Santos.3 It has become massive, violent, 
corruptible and violative of rights to the extent that it has been considered as a human 
rights crisis.
In November 2018, the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy was released to the 
public as a response. The strategy recognized a balanced approach: a supply reduction 
effort involving strong law enforcement with consistent adherence to and observance of 
human right and adopts a compassionate approach to the victims of drug use by 
encouraging voluntary treatment and rehabilitation under an overarching framework 
which emphasizes respect for the dignity of the human person.4
In the 17th Congress, I have advocated for a balanced approach to address the 
drugs 
problem: 
a 
rules-based 
and 
modern 
drug 
law 
enforcement 
strategy 
complemented with a humane, rehabilitative and sustainable public health intervention 
on drug use.
Concretely, I put forward proposals for a drug law enforcement strategy 
anchored on the following pillars: internal cleansing of law enforcement agencies; 
increasing salaries and benefits of law enforcers; funding for modern crime-fighting and 
solving infrastructure and capability enhancement programs; community policing; and 
focusing drug law enforcement resources to big-time drug lords and syndicates.
2 http://pdea.gov.pli/pdea-map/2-uncategorised/279-realnuinbersph
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2019/country-chapters/pliilippines
4 https://www.ddb.gov.pli/iinages/downloads/Revised_PADS_as_ot_Nov_9_201 X.pdt


To tilt towards a balanced approach to the drugs problem, to complement law 
enforcement strategy and enable an effective drugs policy- there is a need to 
institutionalize a public health intervention on drug use.
This proposal, for Public Health Intervention for Drug Use, would contribute in 
providing for adequate and sustainable financial and technical support for local 
governments and communities in the implementation of an effective alternative 
program for drug use prevention and interventions; improving access to treatment 
interventions and social services to the communities and families of persons who use 
drugs; promotion of a rights-based anti-drug campaigns; and enhancing cooperation 
and coordination among national-local government agencies.
This is also my response to a mother who once told me in one of my community 
visits, where she said:
Maraming buhay ang nasayang a t hindi napagbigyan ng pagkakataong 
magbago...may kakulangan sa programa ng gubyerno para sa tubusang 
pagbabago ng mga drug users.
This is for the people we could have saved and kept alive. People who could use 
a second chance. Nobody is beyond redemption. We should offer hope, not death.
RISA HONTIVEROS 
1/
RISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No.
So9
• 
^  > I) ■
>  ■ 
ol I'll
’19 
JULll 
PI ■•17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RCCLi‘fl:D ----- T T -
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
MAINSTREAMING THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO PHILIPPINE DRUG 
POLICY, 
ESTABLISHING 
AND 
IMPLEMENTING 
COMMUNITY- 
BASED 
PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES FOR DRUG-RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS, 
AND PROHIBITING HARMFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY INTERVENTIONS AND 
PRACTICES, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR, 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Public Health
2 
Intervention for Drug Use Act of 2019."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
4 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. It shall
5 
also be declared the policy of the State to address drug-related issues under the public
6 
health framework.
7 
The State shall ensure that a scientific, effective, and evidence-based approach shall be
8 
the foundation of national drug-related policies and programs for people who use drugs
9 
(PWUD), including their family and relevant others.
10 
The State shall ensure that its drug policy shall be based on the relative harm of
11 
psychoactive substances according to scientific studies and 
updated academic
12 
researches.
13 
The State affirms that there are various psychosocial factors affecting the use of drugs.
14 
In this light, the State upholds an integrative approach to drug interventions taking into
15 
account the context and circumstances of the person who use drugs in designing public
16 
health and social programs for them.
17 
Toward this end, the State shall endeavor to mainstream the public health approach to
18 
drug use, such as but not limited to harm reduction in key government agencies with
1


1 
roles on drug-related interventions. Provided that, the State will ensure that the public
2 
health intervention for drug use is effectively implemented and sufficiently funded in
3 
communities, and that relevant stakeholders are included in this endeavor.
4 
It shall also be the policy of the State to prohibit discriminatory and harmful drug
5 
related interventions and practices which violate the right to health of people involved
6 
with drugs.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
8 
be defined as follows;
9 
a) "Dangerous drugs" pertains to those drugs listed in the Schedules
10 
annexed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended
11 
by the 1972 Protocol, and in the Schedules annexed to the 1971 Single
12 
Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
13 
b) "Drug dependence" is a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive
14 
phenomena of variable intensity, in which the use of psychoactive drug
15 
takes on a high priority thereby involving, among others, a strong desire
16 
or a sense of compulsion to take the substance and the difficulties in
17 
controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination,
18 
or levels of use.
19 
c) "Diversion programs" refers to measures that provide alternatives to
20 
criminal sanctions or incarceration for people who are involved with drug
21 
use and drug-related offences.
22 
d) "Harm Reduction" refers to policies, programs, and practices that aim
23 
primarily 
to 
reduce 
the 
adverse 
health, 
social, 
and 
economic
24 
consequences of the problematic use of legal and illegal psychoactive
25 
drugs without focusing on drug consumption alone.
26 
e) "Psychoactive substances" are substances that, when taken in or
27 
administered into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. cognition or
28 
affect.
29
30 
ARTICLE I I
31 
Health Intervention for Drug Use
32
33 
Sec. 4. Health Intervention for Drug Use Bureau. -  A Health Intervention for
34 
Drug Use Bureau (Bureau) shall be established under the Department of Health (DOH)
35 
and shall receive annual budgetary appropriations under the department.


1 
The Bureau shall plan and implement an integrated and comprehensive public health
2 
approach to drug-related issues in the Philippines. It shall be the lead policy-making and
3 
advisory body of the government, which shall be tasked to design, implement,
4 
coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government in
5 
order to ensure the mainstreaming of the public health intervention for drug use in key
6 
government agencies.
7 
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by President upon
8 
recommendation of the Secretary of Health. The Director must be a Filipino citizen, a
9 
resident of the Philippines, and must have proven expertise on public health and drug
10 
policy.
11 
The Bureau shall be composed of staff as required for the full implementation of the
12 
National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. The Secretary of Health shall also
13 
appoint civil society organizations and members of the academe working on drug policy
14 
and public health as policy consultants of the Bureau.
15 
Sec. 5. National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -  Within six (6)
16 
months from the effectivity of this Act, The DOH shall develop and implement an
17 
integrated and comprehensive National Health Intervention Program for Drug Use and
18 
other drug-related issues in the Philippines.
19 
The DOH shall likewise design, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the
20 
programs and action plans of the government in order to ensure the mainstreaming of
21 
health interventions for drug use in key government agencies and the private sector.
22 
The National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program shall absorb the existing
23 
programs of the DOH on drug abuse prevention and treatment.
24 
Sec. 6. Components o f the National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -
25 
The program shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:
26 
a) National public health priorities for persons who use drugs;
27 
b) Policy recommendations and policies;
28 
c) Compliance with international commitments and guidelines;
29 
d) Research and development agenda on public health and drug policy;
30 
e) Information management;
31 
f) Information, education, and awareness programs on public health and
32 
drug policy;
33 
g) Comprehensive advocacy and communication plan;
34 
h) Monitoring and evaluation protocols;
35 
i) Community mobilization strategies;
36 
j) Public health and drug policy integration in key government agencies;


1 
k) Human resource training;
2 
I) Standards implementation of health intervention programs for drug use
3 
Sec. 7. Health Interventions and Strategies. — The selection of health
4 
interventions and strategies shall be based on strong evidence of effectiveness
5 
according to scientific, medical research and practice. The following, but not limited to,
6 
health interventions and strategies shall be integral part of the Community-Based
7 
Health Intervention for People Who Use Drugs:
8 
a) Education and outreach. - Development and dissemination of drug
9 
education campaigns materials to raise the level of public awareness on
10 
drugs and drug-related issues from a social, health, rights, and evidence-
11 
based framework. This education campaign shall also include human
12 
rights principles of non-violence and non-discrimination against people
13 
who use drugs and their full protection from stigma and hate. This could
14 
include, but is not limited to, counselling, HIV and hepatitis C prevention
15 
measures such as safe injecting techniques, overdose prevention, and
16 
proper condom use.
17 
Outreach pertains to face-to-face contact with people who use drugs in
18 
the communities they live in, and promotion of harm reduction in their
19 
communities, distribute condoms and bleach kits, and other support to
20 
the communities based on identified needs.
21 
b) Referral to health and social services. - Facilitate access to medical and
22 
social services in a comprehensive, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory
23 
manner, as determined by the specific needs of each person involved with
24 
drugs. Social services include support to improve the person's quality of
25 
life, such as provision of employment, shelter, and skills training, among
26 
others.
27 
c) Peer support and mentorship program. - Establishing community-based
28 
core groups composed of people involved with drug use with the purpose
29 
of providing psychosocial support to people involved with drugs.
30 
d) Integrative Psychotherapy. - Provision of person-centered psychosocial
31 
support and counselling based on assessed needs of people who use
32 
drugs.
33 
Other health interventions and strategies for drug use may be developed
34 
and included in the program by the DOH in consultation with the civil
35 
society and the academe based on latest scientific evidence and research.


1 
Sec. 8. Community-Based Health Intervention for Peopie Who Use Drugs. -  The
2 
DOH, in coordination with LGUs, shall establish a community-based health intervention
3 
program for people who use drugs designed for the assessed needs of each community.
4 
The development of the community-based health intervention program shall include the
5 
following stages:
6 
a) Bringing Key Stakeholders Together. - Convening people involved with
7 
drugs in the community and linking them with local officials, civil society
8 
organizations, and the private sector, to identify preventable drug-related
9 
harm.
10 
b) Creating a Leadership and Organizational Structure. - Establishing a core
11 
group involving the Municipal or City Health Officer, barangay health
12 
workers, social workers, and people who use drugs.
13 
c) Identifying Key Community Partners and Inventory of Local Services. -
14 
Mapping the community resources and organizational partners towards
15 
public health and local drug policy.
16 
d) Community Diagnosis and Needs Mapping. - Conducting a detailed needs
17 
assessment to determine the gaps in health inten/entions and strategies
18 
for people who use drugs.
19 
e) Development of a Locally-Driven Health Intervention or Strategy. —
20 
Developing a comprehensive plan based on the needs and resources of
21 
the community.
22 
f) Training of Human Resources and Implementation of Health Intervention
23 
and Strategies for Drug Use. - Rolling out of the locally-driven plans with
24 
constant provision of technical support and funding assistance.
25 
g) Monitoring and evaluation. - Conduct of studies to ensure that the local
26 
plans are consistent with the National Health Intervention for Drug Use
27 
Program and improving services based on feedback.
28 
h) Data Gathering - Collecting of data and information relevant to drug
29 
policy development on a regular basis and publishing of the same
30 
Each LGU shall implement a Community-Based Health Intervention Program for People
31 
Who Use Drugs, with adequate and qualified personnel, equipment, and supplies to be
32 
able to provide intervention programs to respond to the assessed needs of people who
33 
use drugs, which include, but not limited to, consultation, case management, psycho-
34 
education, counselling, health and social support, relapse management, and other
35 
evidence-based health interventions and strategies. Provided That, the national


1 
government shall provide additional and necessary funding and other necessary
2 
assistance for the effective implementation of this provision.
3 
Sec. 9. Exemption from Liability. -  The manufacture, delivery, or possession for
4 
delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus, and other paraphernalia necessary for
5 
the implementation of health intervention for drug use program by public health
6 
officers, barangay health workers, and other health personnel shall not be considered a
7 
violation of Section 10, 12 and 14 of R.A. No. 9165. Any public health officer, barangay
8 
health worker or other health personnel implementing the aforementioned program
9 
shall be exempted from liability and shall not be charged under R.A. No.9165.
10 
Sec. 10. Promotion, Prevention, and Public Awareness. -  The DOH and the LCDs
11 
shall initiate and sustain a nationwide multimedia-campaign to raise the level of public
12 
awareness on drugs and drug-related issues from a social, health, rights, and evidence-
13 
based framework. This education campaign shall also include human rights principles of
14 
non-violence and non-discrimination against people who use drugs and their full
15 
protection from stigma and hate.
16 
Education and information materials to be developed and disseminated for this purpose
17 
shall be reviewed regularly to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.
18 
Sec. 11. Referral System. — The police officer, prosecutor, or any law enforcer
19 
shall not arrest, incarcerate, list, profile, or put under surveillance a PWUD but shall
20 
refer him or her to a public health officer or properly designated local health officer
21 
within their local government unit to undergo Community Based Health Intervention
22 
Program for People Who Use Drugs.
23 
Sec. 12. Screening and Assessment. — Each PWUD, with his or her consent, may
24 
undergo a screening and assessment procedure to determine the level of drug use and
25 
the necessary evidence-based intervention that he or she can avail o f The health
26 
personnel who did the screening and assessment shall institute a referral system,
27 
linking the PWUD to the service provider of the intervention or strategy he or she may
28 
choose to access.
29 
Sec. 13. Provision o f Diversion Programs. -  Each LGU shall design and implement
30 
diversion programs for PWUDs in their community. These programs shall facilitate their
31 
reintegration to family and community life.
32
33 
ARTICLE I I I
34 
Voluntary Treatm ent and Rehabilitation
35


1 
Sec. 14. Voluntary Treatment and Rehabilitation. -  Any PWUD who needed
2 
rehabilitation, as assessed by a public health officer or the properly designated local
3 
health officer, after meaningful consultation with him or her, shall be referred to
4 
appropriate hospitals or institutions for further care. The public health officer or the
5 
properly designated local health officer will also ensure proper reintegration strategies
6 
for the PWUD in compliance with standards set by the DOH.
7 
Sec. 15. Exemption from Criminal Liability. -  A PWUD under a voluntary
8 
treatment and rehabilitation program, who is finally discharged from confinement or
9 
who is under a diversion program, shall not be charged with any criminal offense for
10 
drug use.
11 
Likewise, a PWUD, who is not rehabilitated after commitment to a treatment or
12 
rehabilitation center, or who withdraws from the program, shall not be charged with any
13 
criminal offense for drug use.
14 
Sec. 16. Confidentiality o f Records. -  Judicial and medical records of a PWUD
15 
under the voluntary treatment and rehabilitation program or under Community-Based
16 
Health Intervention Program for People Who Use Drugs shall be confidential and shall
17 
not be used against him or her for any purpose.
18 
Any person who disclosed the judicial or medical records of a PWUD, without his or her
19 
written consent, shall be administratively liable.
20 
Sec. 17. Compulsory Confinement -  Compulsory confinement of a PWUD who
21 
refuses to undergo a voluntary treatment and rehabilitation program shall be prohibited.
22 
Sec. 18. Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers. -  The existing treatment and
23 
rehabilitation centers for PWUDs operated and maintained by the NBI and the PNP shall
24 
be operated, maintained, and managed by the DOH in coordination with other
25 
concerned agencies and local government units.
26
27 
ARTICLE IV
28 
Protection o f the Rights o f People Who Use Drugs
29
30 
Sec. 19. Use or Possession for Persona! Use. -  A person, who is found to be
31 
positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, or who is found to
32 
possess any dangerous drug for personal or medical use, shall not be apprehended,
33 
arrested, incarcerated, detained, listed, profiled, or subjected to surveillance and shall
34 
be referred to a public health officer or properly designated local health officer within
35 
the local government unit to be assessed under a Community-Based Health Intervention
36 
Program for People Who Use Drugs. After determination, the person who used or


1 
possessed drugs for personal or medical use shall be referred to the service provider of
2 
the appropriate intervention or strategy.
3 
Any person apprehended for drug use or possession shall, regardless of prior or
4 
succeeding violations thereof, shall undergo the aforementioned community-based
5 
health intervention program.
6 
Sec. 
20. 
Possession 
o f Equipment, 
Instrument, 
Apparatus 
and Other
I  
Paraphernaiia for Dangerous Drugs by Medicai Professionals. -  Medical practitioners or
8 
health professionals who are required to carry equipment, instrument, apparatus, and
9 
other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs in the practice of their profession, shall not be
10 
prosecuted under any provision of R A 9165.
II 
The possession of such equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia shall
12 
not constitute prima facie evidence that the possessor has smoked, consumed,
13 
administered to himself or herself, injected, ingested or used a dangerous drug.
14 
Sec. 21. Dangerous Drugs for Medical Use. -  The delivery, possession, transfer,
15 
transportation, or use of cannabis and other dangerous drugs intended for medical use
16 
or to treat or alleviate a patient's medical condition or symptoms associated with his or
17 
her debilitating disease, or its acquisition, administration, cultivation, or manufacturing
18 
for medical experiments, research, or for creation of new types of medicines shall be
19 
allowed upon application to and approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
20 
The patient, caregiver, physician, or medical researcher who delivers, transports, uses,
21 
acquires, administers, cultivates, or manufactures dangerous drugs for medical
22 
purposes shall be exempt from criminal liability.
23
24 
ARTICLE V
25 
Prohibited Acts
26
27 
Sec. 22. Mandatory Drug Testing. -  Mandatory drug testing in schools,
28 
workplaces, and other public or private places are hereby prohibited. No drug testing
29 
shall be conducted as requirement for admission or enrolment in schools and other
30 
alternative learning institutions, as well as made a condition for employment or for
31 
renewal of business permit, license, or franchise, except when the enterprise involved is
32 
a common carrier and public safety requires otherwise.
33 
Sec. 23. Involuntary Treatment and Compulsory Detention. — Any person shall
34 
not be subjected to involuntary treatment and compulsory detention. For persons
35 
determined by a competent court to be without legal competence to signify consent,
36 
the guardian or person exercising authority over the person shall be referred to a public
8


1 
health officer or properly designated local health officer for assessment of appropriate
2 
health intervention or strategy needed.
3 
Sec. 24. Traumatic Physical and Psychological Intervention. -  Any intervention
4 
which inflicts physical or psychological trauma to people involved with drugs is
5 
prohibited, including, but not limited to, deprivation of food and water, dosing of cold
6 
water, blindfolding, confinement in enclosed spaces, verbal abuse, flogging, whipping,
7 
electroshock, forced evangelization or participation in religious practices and similar
8 
violent and harmful interventions.
9 
Sec. 25. Non-Disclosure o f Effects o f Medications and Treatment. -  Physicians
10 
and medical practitioners are prohibited from not disclosing relevant information
11 
regarding medication and treatment to people involved with drugs which will assist the
12 
patient and his family to make informed choices as regards medication and treatment
13 
plans.
14 
Sec. 26. Denial o f Health Services by Virtue o f Health Status. — It is prohibited
15 
to deny any health service to a person involved with drugs by virtue of his health
16 
status, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status.
17 
Sec. 27. Denial o f Health Services by Virtue o f Drug Use Status. -  It is prohibited
18 
to deny any required health service to a person by virtue of his past or present
19 
involvement with drug use.
20 
Sec. 28. Prohibition Against Discrimination and Stigma. — The unfair or unjust
21 
treatment of any person on the basis of his or her actual or perceived involvement with
22 
drug use that leads to the nullification or impairment of his or her rights and freedoms
23 
shall be prohibited. The use of discriminatory language, hate speech, and terms or
24 
labels promoting stigma against PWUDs shall likewise be prohibited.
25 
Sec. 29. Prohibition o f Arrest o f a Good Samaritan. -  Any person who assists a
26 
person involved with drugs who needs urgent medical attention shall not be arrested or
27 
prosecuted.
28 
Sec. 30. Penalties. -  Any public officer who is guilty of committing any or the
29 
prohibited acts will be administratively liable for suspension for six (6) months without
30 
pay for the first time, suspension for 12 months without pay for the second time, and
31 
removal from office and perpetual disqualification for the third time.
32 
Any public officer, mandated in this Act to gather and publish data, who failed to do, so
33 
shall be administratively liable for suspension for six (6) months without pay.
34 
Any physician, medical practitioner, or health personnel who is guilty of committing any
35 
of the prohibited acts will be administratively liable for suspension of license to practice


1 
for six (6) months for the first time, suspension of license to practice for nine (12)
2 
months for the second time, and revocation of license for the third time.
3 
The penalties provided for in this act are without prejudice to any other civil or criminal
4 
liabilities that may be imposed by law.
5
6 
ARTICLE VI
7 
Role o f Governm ent and Non-Government Agencies
8
9 
Sec. 31. Role o f Key Government Agencies in Implementing the National Health
10 
Intervention for Drug Use Program. -
11 
a. The DOH shall ensure that health interventions and strategies for drug
12 
use are provided by all health service providers and incorporated in the
13 
health services provided in government institutions.
14 
b. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall
15 
facilitate the development and provision of a capacity-building program
16 
for LGUs on health interventions for drug use and oversee the
17 
development of Community-Based Health Intervention Programs for
18 
People Who Use Drugs in each LGU.
19 
c. The Department of Education (DepED) shall recognize the public health
20 
approach to drug use as framework of health and drugs awareness
21 
classes, which shall be integrated into primary and secondary education
22 
curricula. The 
DepEd 
shall 
ensure that the 
teachers, guidance
23 
counsellors, and staff are properly trained to provide health and drugs
24 
awareness classes.
25 
d. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall
26 
incorporate health interventions for PWUD in 
their social 
service
27 
packages.
28 
e. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information
29 
on the public health approach to drug use in accordance with the
30 
National Health Intervention for Drug Use 
Program.
31 
f. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) shall develop
32 
benefit packages for treatment of drug dependency.
33 
g. The Department of Justice shall train prosecutors for the proper
34 
implementation of diversion programs.
35 
h. The Philippine National Police shall train its police force for the proper
36 
implementation of diversion programs.
10


1 
i. 
The Dangerous Drugs Board shall ensure that the national drug policy
2 
incorporates the public health approach to drug use.
3 
j. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency shall train its agents for the
4 
proper implementation of diversion programs.
5 
Sec. 32. Role o f Local Government Units In Implementing the National Health
6 
Intervention for Drug Use Program. -  The LGUs shall be responsible for the formulation,
7 
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the local health intervention for drug use
8 
programs in their respective jurisdiction, consistent with the 
National 
Health
9 
Intervention for Drug Use Program.
10 
Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in identifying
11 
drug-related issues and in identifying and implementing health intervention programs.
12 
Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance in support of municipal and
13 
city plans.
14 
Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of health
15 
intervention programs.
16 
The local chief executive shall appoint the Municipal, City Health Officer or any proper
17 
local health officer responsible for the formulation and implementation of the local
18 
health intervention for drug use program. It shall be the responsibility of the national
19 
government 
to 
extend 
technical 
and 
financial 
assistance 
to 
LGUs 
for 
the
20 
accomplishment of their health intervention for drug use programs.
21 
Sec. 33. 
Role o f the Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations In
22 
Implementing the National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -  Civil society
23 
organizations (CSOs) shall play a key role in the implementation of the National Health
24 
Intervention for Drug Use Program. The DOH and the LGUs shall consult and coordinate
25 
with CSOs in formulating and implementing health intervention for drug use programs.
26 
CSOs may also provide capacity-building trainings and technical assistance to the
27 
implementation of such programs.
28 
The private sector is encouraged to support health intervention for drug use programs
29 
of 
LGUs.
30
31 
ARTICLE V II
32 
Final Provisions
33
34 
Sec. 34. Congressional Oversight Committee. -  A Joint Congressional Oversight
35 
Committee 
(COC) 
is 
hereby 
constituted 
which 
is 
mandated 
to 
review 
the
36 
implementation of this Act. The COC shall be composed of five (5) members from the
11


1 
Senate and five (5) members from the House of Representatives to be appointed by the
2 
Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The
3 
COC shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Health
4 
and Demography and the House of Representatives Committee on Health.
5 
The Secretariat of the COC shall be drawn from the existing secretariat personnel of the
6 
standing committees composing the Congressional Oversight Committee and its funding
7 
requirements shall be charged under the appropriations of both the House of
8 
Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines.
9 
Sec. 35. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of
10 
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the DOH. Thereafter, such sums
11 
as maybe necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
12 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
13 
Sec. 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH shall promulgate the
14 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for this Act within ninety (90) days from its
15 
constitution. Failure to promulgate the IRR shall not affect the implementation of the
16 
self-executory provisions of this Act.
17 
Sec. 37. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act is held
18 
invalid, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full force
19 
and effect.
20 
Sec. 38. Repeating Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and
21 
their Implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
22 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
23 
Sec. 39. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
12