Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Eighteenth Congress

House Bill No. pee

Introduced by:

Rep. Fidel Nograles
Second District
Province of Rizal

Explanatory Note

Teenage pregnancy affects 5.99 percent of Filipino girls, the second highest
rate in Southeast Asia based on Save the Children’s Global Childhood Report
(2019). An estimated 538 babies are born to Filipino teenage mothers every
single day, according to Philippine Statistical Authority (2017).

It is disheartening to note that in the Philippines the incidence of teenage
pregnancies is increasing. In 2014, data from the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) revealed that every hour, 24 babies are delivered by teenage
mothers. In fact, based on the Certificate of Live Births submitted by the Local
Civil Registry Offices from 2011 to 2014, about one in every ten women of
child-bearing age was a teenager. According to the 2014 Young Adult Fertility
and Sexuality (YAFS) study, around 14 percent of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19
are either pregnant for the first time or are already mothers more than twice
the rate recorded in 2002, Among six major economies in the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines has the highest rate of teenage
pregnancies, and is the only country where the rate is increasing, per the
United Nations Population Fund.

Early pregnancy has its deleterious effects to young girls and the society as a
whole. Early pregnancy forces girls to take on an adult role while their bodies
are often not ready. Early pregnancy can also trap girls in an escapable cycle
of poverty, stigmatized by society for being teenage mothers or forced into
early marriage. It also creates a greater risk in terms of maternal
complications that affect the mother and the child they bear resulting in low
survival rates.

The prevalence of teenage pregnancy affects all levels; individual/family

(micro), community /sub-national (meso) and national (macro). At the macro
level, this means delayed or incomplete human capital formation. Human

1


capital formation is the process of enhancing the productive power of human
labor by investing in health, nutrition, education and training with the
expectation of future benefits such as income and growth. Being pregnant
means dropping out of school, and shifting from girlhood to motherhood. The
lack of familial and/or community support to assist the teenage mother in
fulfilling the requirements of this new role means uncertainty in going back to
school. This denotes foregone investments and delay in achieving full human
potential, and therefore delay in the formation of human capital. For those
who are already poor, going back to school is no longer an option and
accelerating to employment becomes a more viable alternative. Without the
education and skills, this means low-paying and short-term jobs for the
adolescent parent and therefore low investments for health, nutrition and
later education for the child. As this persists, the adolescent parent and child
are mired in the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty.

An additional child means an “artificial bulge” to the population pyramid
with teenagers who are dependent population themselves producing
additional dependent population. This puts pressures (a “shock”) to the
already meager funds from the macro (national level) to the sub-national and
family levels, At the national level, this means revisiting the funds to
accommodate new expenses (ie. maternal and child health care for
adolescents, skill training, back-to-school programs/alternative learning
system, among others) at the cost of reducing funds from other budget items.
This situation becomes more evident at the subnational level (local
government unit) more so at the family level. The additional expenses that
comes with the newly born child in the household now competes with the
existing household expenses and in extreme cases lead to school drop-outs
among other siblings.

‘A more urgent concern is the direct health risk of pregnancy to the adolescent
mom ic. placental tears, obstruction at the time of delivery, obstetric fistulae
and even death (UNFPA, 2015). As these adolescents mostly have poor
nutrition and general health and poor knowledge about pregnancy, prenatal
care is poorly observed particularly at the first trimester and thus the
likelihood of foetal, perinatal and maternal death and disability are intensified
(Black et al, 2008 in UNFPA, 2015). Health-seeking behavior among
adolescent moms is also low because of the stigma in their situation; all of
which poses a challenge in achieving health-related Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG). In order to provide for the needs of these adolescent moms,
there is a need to allocate additional resources for maternal and child health
customized for adolescents. This requires additional training for health
service providers who were not fully trained to deliver care for adolescents.
There is also a need to establish a network of service providers particularly
involving referrals to hospital as pregnancy among teens is high risk.


Article II Section 13 of our 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that:
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
wellbeing, It shall include in the youth patriotism and nationalism and
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

In light of the said provision, it is the mandate of the state to protect our
young and promote their well-being. Given the magnitude of damaging
effects of teenage pregnancy, not to mention violation of rights of children
(among those below 18 years old), there is a need for a policy to prevent
teenage pregnancy among those who are not yet in the situation, and for
those who have undergone such experience. In this context, approval of the
bill is earnestly sought. After all, this will benefit not only the individuals and
their families, but also the community, the local government units and the
country as a whole. It is time to save our youth from the damaging effects of
teenage pregnancy and to institutionalize social protection for teenage parents.

RQp. Fidel Nograles
24 District of Rizal Province


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress

Introduced by:

Fidel Nograles
Second District
Province of Rizal

5516

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL POLICY IN PREVENTING
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES, INSTITUTIONALIZING SOCIAL
PROTECTION FOR TEENAGE PARENTS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the “Prevention of
Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2019.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It shall be the policy of the State to:

(a) Recognize, promote, and strengthen the role of adolescents and
young people in the overall human and socio-economic development
of the country not only in the future but also in the present;

(b) Recognize and promote the responsibility of the State to create and
sustain an enabling environment for adolescents to enable them to
achieve their development aspirations and potentials as well as
mobilize them to positively contribute to the development of the
nation;

(©) Pursue sustainable and genuine human development that values the
dignity of the total human person and affords full protection to
human rights, especially of adolescent women and men and their
families;


(a)

)

(C3)

(8)

(h)

Promote and protect the human rights of all individuals including
the adolescents particularly in their exercise of their rights to sexual
and reproductive health, equality and equity before the law, the right
to development, the right to education, freedom of expression, the
right to participate in decision-making, and the right to choose and
make responsible decisions for themselves;

Provide full and comprehensive information to adolescents that can
help them prevent early and unintended pregnancies and their life-
long consequences;

Ensure corresponding interventions that could respond to the
socioeconomic, health and emotional needs of adolescents and youth,
especially young women, with due regard for their own creative
capabilities, for social, family and community support, employment
opportunities, participation in the political process, and access to
education, health, counselling and high-quality reproductive health
services;

Encourage adolescent mothers and fathers to continue and finish
their education in order to equip them for a better life, to increase
their human potential, to help prevent early marriages, high-risk
child-bearing and repeated pregnancy and to reduce associated
mortality and morbidity through comprehensive social protection
interventions;

Recognize and promote the rights, duties and responsibilities of
parents, teachers, and other persons legally responsible for the
growth of adolescents to provide, in a manner consistent with the
evolving capacities of the adolescent, appropriate direction and
guidance in sexual and reproductive matters;

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:

(a)
(b)

Adolescents ~ refers to the population aged 10 to 19 years.

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Care - refers to the
access to a full range of methods, techniques and services that
contribute to the reproductive health and well-being or young people
by preventing and solving reproductive health - related problems.


()

(a)

{e)

(h)

@

Adolescent Sexuality - refers to the reproductive system, gender
identity, values or beliefs, emotions, relationships and sexual
behavior of young people as social beings.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education - refers to the process of acquiring
complete, accurate, relevant and age-appropriate information and
skills on all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions
and processes and human sexuality and forming attitudes and beliefs
about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationship, affection,
intimacy and gender roles. It has the purpose of developing the skills
young people for them to make informed decisions such as the
capacity to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and sexuality,
and critically evaluate and discuss the moral, religious, social and
cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues such as contraception
and abortion, and decide to prevent risky behaviors that can
undermine the realization of their aspirations and potentials.

Information and Service Delivery Network for Adolescent Health and
Development (ISDN) - refers to the network of facilities, institutions,
and providers within the province, district, municipality /city-wide
health and social system offering information, training, and core
packages of health and social care services in an integrated and
coordinated manner.

Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) - refers to the local body to
be created based on RA 10742 (SK Reform Law) which is composed
of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations in the
provincial, city, and municipal level with the primary function of
assisting in the planning and execution of projects and programs of
the Sangguniang Kabataan, and the Pederasyons in all levels.

Normal Schools or College Teachers - refers to learning. institutions
training or educating teachers.

Partial and Permanent Emancipation - refers to a written consent by any
or both parents allowing a minor child to access modern family
planning method, amending for this purpose, Executive Order No.
209, or the “Family Code of the Philippines,” as amended by
Republic Act No. 6809.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) - is a cooperative arrangement
between one or more public and private sectors, typically of a long-
term nature, for various development programs or projects.


() Reproductive Health ~ refers to state of complete physical mental and
social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions
and processes.

(k)_ Risky Behaviors - refers to ill-advised practices and actions that are
potentially detrimental to a person's health or general well-being.

(1) Social Protection - consists of policies and programs designed to
reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labor
markets, diminishing people's exposure to risks, and enhancing their
capacity to manage economic and social risks, such as unemployment,
exclusion, sickness, disability and old age.

Section 4. Development of National Program of Action and Investment Plan for the
Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy. The National Youth Commission (NYC),
Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the
Commission on Population (POPCOM) in collaboration with other relevant
national agencies and the civil society organization shall develop an evidence-
based medium-term National Program of Action for the Prevention of Teenage
Pregnancies. The program of action shall serve as the national framework for
inter-agency and inter-sectoral collaboration at all levels to address the
various health, cultural, socio-economic and institutional determinants of
teenage pregnancy.

Based on the Program of Action, a National Program on the Prevention of
Teenage Pregnancy (NPPTP) which shall form a priority program of the
Philippine Population Management Program being spearheaded and
coordinated by POPCOM shall be developed and funded at all levels. The
NPPTP shall be based on the inter-agency program of action involving all
relevant government agencies and shall be considered as a program that is
eligible for multiyear funding and inter-agency obligational authority to
ensure the allocation for the key strategies in all concerned government
agencies.

Section 5. Organization and Mobilization of Regional and Local Information and
Service Delivery Network for Adolescent Health and Development (ISDN for AHD).
All provinces and chartered cities shall organize and operationalize an ISDN
for AHD consisting of different government and non-government
organizations, institutions, and facilities catering information and services to

7


adolescents within their locality. The ISDN may be organized by the district
in each province or by the municipality/city. An effective collaborative and
referral system among the members of the ISDN shall be established and
implemented within a catchment area.

The ISDN shall perform the following tasks and functions:

(a) Map and analyze the various factors contributing to pregnancies
among adolescents at the regional and local levels;

(b) Identify, harmonize, coordinate, and implement inter-agency
interventions to address the various issues related to teenage
pregnancies in the region and at the local level;

(©) Capacitate ISDN agency-members in collaboration with relevant
regional government agencies to ensure quality information and
services to adolescents;

(a) Provide, in collaboration with concerned LGUs, needed information
and services for adolescent development;

(e) Generate or share resources in the implementation of the joint
strategic plan of the ISDN; and

() Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of coordinative and referral
systems and other interagency interventions jointly implemented by
the ISDN.

The local ISDN shall be coordinated by the Provincial/City Population
Office or, in its absence, the Provincial/City Health Office in collaboration
with the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) Federation or Local Youth Development
Council (LYDC) in the concerned localities with technical assistance from
POPCOM and other relevant national government agencies.

Section 6. Age and Development-Appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
All agencies under the education sector in collaboration with other relevant
agencies shall develop and promote educational standards, modules, and
materials to promote comprehensive responsible sexuality education in
schools, communities, and other youth institutions. The comprehensive
sexuality education shall start from Grade 5 and shall include age-appropriate
topics such as, but not limited to, human sexuality, adolescent reproductive
health, health and nutrition, gender-sensitivity, gender equality and equity,
and life-skills the purpose of which is to enable adolescents to be responsible
in nurturing their sexuality, prevent of sexual abuse, and avoid unintended

pregnancy.


Section 7. Training of Teachers, Guidance Counselors, and School Supervisors on
CSE. The DepEd, Technological Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall ensure that all
teachers, guidance counselors, instructors, and other school officials entrusted
with the duty to educate adolescents on CSE shall be properly trained on
adolescent health and development to effectively educate or guide
adolescents in dealing with their sexuality-related concerns. The training shall
be in collaboration with DOH, POPCOM, and NYC for technical assistance.
Funding for the training shall be allotted in the concerned government
agencies’ annual allocation to be approved by Congress.

The CHED shall ensure that CSE standards integrated in the
curriculum and across specializations in the professional preparation and
training for would-be teachers in normal schools or teacher education
institutions in the country.

Section 8. CSE for Out-of School Adolescents and those with Special Concerns. The
DSWD, DOH, POPCOM, and the local government units (LGUs) shall
collaborate to intensify and institutionalize interactive learning
methodologies for CSE among out-of-school adolescents in the communities
and workplaces. Provided, that the needs of indigenous, working, persons-
with-disabilities, and adolescents in social institutions are considered in the
design and promotion of sexuality education among adolescents.

Section 9. Promoting the CSE using the Social Media and other Digital or Online
Communication Platforms. All concerned government agencies shall optimize
the social media and other online platforms to reach adolescent netizens with
accurate information and messages on adolescent sexual and reproductive
health (ASRH) concerns. A web portal for the NPPAP shall be developed and
promoted by POPCOM to harmonize and link various government websites
and online services for ASRH including the networked operationalization of
ISDN for AHD.

Section 10. Mandatory Establishment of Functional Local Teen Centers for
Adolescent Health and Development. A school- or community-based Teen
Center for AHD shall be established and operationalized in all municipalities
and cities in the country. Such Teen Centers shall serve as facilities where
adolescents and youth can access appropriate information and services on
ASRH and other concerns relevant to their holistic development. The Teen

9


Centers shall be the convergence facilities or hubs for the services of the ISDN
for AHD members as provided in Section 5 of this Act.

The Center shall also serve as peer helping, counseling, and treatment
center especially for adolescents in crisis or victims of abuse and violence.

The Center shall be mainly managed and operated by the LGUs
through SK members, youth volunteers and workers and other organized AY
groups recognized by the LGU with the assistance of various adult service
providers and youth-serving professionals including the civil society
organizations (CSOs). The establishment and operationalization of the Teen
Centers shall be funded using the 10% SK fund and other relevant local
budget sources.

The POPCOM in collaboration with DepEd, CHED, DOH, DILG, and
CSOs shall formulate the guidelines and standards in setting-up of Teen
Centers in schools and communities. National government agencies shall
provide assistance to LGUs and schools in setting-up the Teen Centers.

Section 11. Participation of the Private Sector in the Promotion of CSE. The
government may enter into public-private partnership agreement in
mobilizing private communication networks and companies in promoting
CSE through text or short message service (SMS) or media messages. An
incentive mechanism for telecommunication companies shall be developed
and implemented by concerned agencies to recognize private participation in
promoting CSEs and AY health-seeking behavior, positive attitude towards
sex, sexual relations and sexuality, etc.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)
shall review their existing guidelines to ensure that no movie and television
programs portray, depict, promote, and encourage sexual activities among
adolescents as a normative behavior in the society. An incentive scheme for
adolescent-friendly television programs shall likewise be developed and
implemented to encourage movie and television networks to produce
materials and programs that promote responsible sexuality among
adolescents.

Other private companies may be engaged to partner with the
government agencies in designing and implementing innovative programs to
prevent adolescent pregnancy.

10


Section 12, Regulating Access of Minors to Pornographic Materials and Obscene
Shows. Existing laws penalizing pornography and obscenity in the country
shall be strengthened by the following regulatory provisions:

(a) All business establishments providing computer and internet services
shall strictly restrict or prohibit minors from accessing pornographic
websites by setting-up filters or parental control programs to block or
filter-out pornographic internet contents in all their computer units
and by posting a signage prohibiting minors from access
pornographic materials. Non-compliance to this provision shall
cause the cancellation of the business permit of the said
establishment.

(b) Selling and distribution of pornographic printed materials and videos
in any format to minors shall be prohibited and penalized under
existing laws and this Act.

(©) Persons within the age of majority who shall encourage or exert
influence to minors to access pornographic products and contents
shall be penalized under this Act.

(d) Any business establishment that causes the participation and access
of minors in obscene shows shall be penalized and shall be ground
for the cancellation of the business permit of such establishment.

The SK at the barangay and municipal/city level shall organize and
mobilize group of youth volunteers in collaboration with barangay officials
and peace officers to monitor compliance of computer shops and business
establishments selling and distributing videos and printed materials in
restricting minors from accessing pornographic products.

Section 13. Access to Reproductive Health Services. Sexually active adolescents,
or those who have already engaged in sexual activities, who have been
granted partial and permanent emancipation shall be allowed to access
modern family planning methods without the consent of their parent or
guardian. Provided; that access to such modern family planning method shall
not be given without the written prescription from a duly licensed and
trained health service provider in public and private facilities including in the
Teen Centers. Provided, further; that all health service providers in health

11


facilities including school clinics shall be trained on providing adolescent-
friendly and responsive information and services. Provided, finally; that all
health facilities shall be enhanced to become an adolescent-friendly facility by
ensuring confidentiality, exclusive schedule for adolescents, availability of
services for adolescents, and non-judgmental health service providers.

Section 14. Social Protection for Teenage Mothers or Parents. A comprehensive
social protection service shall be provided to teenage mothers or adolescents
who are currently pregnant and their partners to prevent repeat pregnancies
and to ensure the wellbeing of adolescents while assuming the responsibilities
of being young parents. Such services shall include the following:

(a) Maternal health services including antenatal check-ups and facility-
based delivery;

(b) Post-partum family planning counseling and services for either or
both teenage parents;

(c) Home-based education for teenage mothers;

(d) Personal PhilHealth coverage, making mandatory enrollment and
membership of indigent and indigenous teenage mothers;

(ec) Training and support to livelihood programs for the household of the
teenage parents especially for the indigents; and

(Continuing CSE for teenage parents.

The LGUs through the Local Social Welfare and Development (LSWD)
and/or the Population Office shall implement a continuing CSE program for
teenage mothers and fathers with technical assistance from POPCOM and
DOH.

Section 15. CSE for Parents and Guardians with Adolescent Children. A CSE
program for parents and guardians with the main objective of capacitating
them to effectively guide, counsel and provide consent to their adolescent
children in concerns related to their sexual health shall be developed and
implemented by POPCOM in collaboration with relevant national
government agencies, LGUs, and CSOs. The POPCOM shall endeavor to
reach to parent organizations in schools and communities to promote such

program.
Section 16. Designating February of Every Year as the Month for Raising Public

Awareness on Preventing Teenage Pregnancy and Conduct of Nationwide
Communication Campaign. To raise public consciousness on the issues on

12


teenage pregnancy and generate support from various stakeholders, the
entire month of February shall be designated as Month for Public Awareness on
Preventing Teenage Pregnancy which shall be observed nationwide. Schools
and other stakeholders shall hold activities with the objective of raising
awareness and generate critical actions to address the issues of increasing

teenage pregnancy.

Further, the POPCOM in collaboration with relevant agencies
including the CSOs and private sector shall develop, launch, and sustain a
nationwide campaign for the prevention of teenage pregnancy.

Section 16, Integration of Local Program for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy
in GAD and SK Programs. Strategies and programs which aim to prevent
incidence of teenage pregnancies shall be integrated in the Gender Awareness
and Development (DAP) programs, projects and activities of local
government units and shall be part of the 5% minimum cost of
implementation. Likewise, these strategies and program shall be incorporated
in the SK programs at the local and community level using the 10% SK funds.
The NYC shall issue guidelines to ensure the implementation of this provision.

The SK shall likewise implement programs and activities that aim to
develop the potentials and skills of adolescents to make them more
productive members of the society. SK shall encourage youth participation in
these activities as means of diverting the focus and potentials of adolescents
into more meaningful and productive endeavors.

Section 17. Preventing Adolescents’ Involvement in other Risky Behaviors that are
Facilitative of Engagement in Sexual Activities. All barangays shall implement
legal measures to prevent adolescents from engaging in risky behaviors
particularly drinking alcoholic beverages, illegal drug use, hanging-out in
very late at night doing risky behaviors and other behaviors that can lead
them to sexual activities or engaging in sexual assault or violence. The
barangays shall also strictly prohibit the access of minors to videoke bars, beer
houses/pubs, clubs, and other similar facilities that can encourage
adolescents to engage in sexual activities or sex-related violence and crimes.

Section 17. Duties and Functions. In accordance to their existing mandates, the
following national and local government agencies shalll perform the following
duties and functions in relation to the implementation of this Act:


(a) The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall:

(m) Ensure the development and promotion of CSE standards and its
corresponding learning modules for teachers and students;

(ii) Ensure the comprehensive training of all teachers on CSE;

(iii) Support the development of school-based Teen Centers; and

(iv) Conduct other extra-curricular activities for ASRH.

(b) The Department of Health:

(i) Ensure the availability and provision of ASRH services for
adolescents in all public health facilities;

(ii) Ensure the training of health service providers in providing
adolescent-friendly and responsive health services using the
enhanced Adolescent Job Aid; and

(ii) Support and provide technical assistance in the establishment of
ISDN at the local level.

(©) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD):

(ii) Take the lead in providing social protection for teenage parents;

(iii) Ensure the integration of social protection services in teen centers;
and

(iv) Promote CSE for adolescents with special needs and in difficult
circumstances.

(d) The National Youth Commission (NYC):

(i) Ensure the integration of ASRH and CSE promotion in the SK
programs and projects; and

(ii) Capacitate the SK in the implementation of this Act at the local
level;

(©) The Commission on Population (POPCOM):

(i) Develop and coordinate with relevant agencies the National
Program for the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy as part of the
national population management program;

(ji) Implement a program for the training of parents and guardians in
effectively guiding adolescents on ASRH issues;

14


ii)

(wv)

Set-up national database for adolescent pregnancy that shall be
used for plan and program development and M&E of indicators
at all levels; and

Take the lead in the nationwide and community-based campaign
for the prevention of teenage pregnancy including the
development and maintenance of web portal for relevant online
information and services.

() The Commission on Welfare of Children (CWC) shall develop and
implement CSE strategies for adolescents aged 10-14.

(g) The MTRCB to review its guidelines to discourage television networks
and movie producers to portray sexual activities involving adolescents
as a normative behavior.

(h) The LGUs:

@)

(i)
(ii)

(iv)
(v)

(vi)

Ensure the development of local strategies for the prevention of
teenage pregnancy in their localities;

Ensure the promotion of CSE in schools and communities;
Mobilize the SK for key strategies in the prevention of teenage
pregnancy in the locality;

Facilitate the organization and mobilization of ISDN for AHD;
Ensure the availability and provision of appropriate health and
social services for adolescents;

Set-up database on teenage pregnancy for programming and
planning;

(vii) Implement a program for the training of parents and guardians in

effectively guiding adolescents on ASRH issues; and

(viii) Allocate funds necessary for the strategies in preventing teenage

pregnancy.

The Civil Society Organization (CSOs) shall serve as partners of the
national and local government units in the implementation of the
provisions of this Act.


Section 18. Punishable Acts. The following acts are prohibited and punishable:

(a) Owners, managers, and staff of computer shops or establishments
gers, P' op
providing access to internet services who shall allow minors to access
pornographic materials from their facility.

(b) Any person who shall sell and distribute pornographic materials to
minors.

(©) Any person of legal age who shall seduce a minor which shall be
accorded with higher penalty than those provided by the Revised
Penal Code of the Philippines.

(d) Owners, managers, and staff of motels who shall allow wash-up rates
or short-time or abbreviated stay in motels involving minors with clear
or at least indicative intention to conduct sexual activities.

(e) Any person who shall be in violation of the provisions of this Act.

Section 19. Annual Allocations. All concerned government agencies including
the LGUs shall include in their annual budget the necessary funds for
strategies and activities within their mandates that are contributory to the
implementation of this Act.

Section 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within 120 days upon the
effectivity of this Act, an inter-agency Technical Working Group (TWG)
consisting of NYC, DSWD, DOH, CWC, DepEd, TESDA, CHED, DILG,
POPCOM as Secretariat, and 4 representatives from CSOs shall be organized
to formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

Section 21. Reporting Requirements. Before the end of April each year, the
POPCOM shall submit to the President of the Philippines and Congress an
annual consolidated report, which shall provide a definitive and
comprehensive assessment of the implementation of its programs and those
of other government agencies in relation to the implementation of this Act
and recommend priorities for executive and legislative actions. The report
shall be printed and distributed to all national agencies, the LGUs, NGOs and
private sector organizations involved in said programs.

16


Section 22. Separability Clause. If any part, section, or provisions of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

Section 23. Repealing Clause. All other statutes, executive orders, and
administrative issuances or rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

Section 24. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,