Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7273

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An alcohol-exposed pregnancy is risky for both unborn babies and their mothers, and
could permanently compromise the central nervous system of a developing baby.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and has
been proven to increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity or even sudden
infant death’.

Improving maternal health and reducing child mortality has been a priority in the
Philippine health system. This commitment is manifested in the country's legislation
such as the “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Law of 2001” and the
“Barangay Level Total Protect of Children Act of 1990", as well as current lobbying
efforts in Congress such as the First 1,000 Days bill. The Department of Health has in
tum translated this commitment to mothers and children with programs such as the
“Safe Motherhood Program’ which provides maternal and newborn health services.

This bill intends to add to the efforts the country has demonstrated in protecting the
welfare of our mothers and children. It proposes to require any alcoholic beverage for
sale to include a clear, conspicuous, and easily readable warning on the packaging or
in the business establishment selling these goods about the risks an alcohol-exposed
pregnancy and FAS poses to unborn children and their mothers. A penalty of Php
10,000.00 shall be imposed on those who violate this Act.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7273

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT

PREVENTING THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN CAUSING
FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME IN MOTHERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Warning Act of 2018”.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the terms herewith shall mean
the following:

a) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome — or FAS is a disorder of permanent birth defects that
occurs in the offspring of women who drank alcohol during pregnancy. The
main effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage. Developing
brain cells and structures are underdeveloped or malformed by prenatal alcohol
exposure, often creating an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities
(including poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-
effect reasoning) as well as secondary disabilities;

b) Alcohol beverage - is any drink containing ethanol, commonly known as
alcohol, which is a psychoactive drug, with depressant effects; and,

c) Department — means the Department of Health.


SECTION 3. Packaging Requirement. — Any person who offers any alcoholic
beverage for sale shall include a clear, conspicuous, and easily readable warning on
the packaging or in the business establishment stating:

“WARNING: Consumption of alcohol, spirits, wine or beer shortly before conception or
during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome and
alcohol-related neurological disorders.”

SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess
penalties or fines against an employer for violations of this Act or regulations adopted
under this Act. In no circumstance will any of the penalties or fines exceed Ten
Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) for each day the permit holder remains in violation.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall

remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 6. 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.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,