FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"'f 
'" 
,-') ") 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 655 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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, intel/ectual, 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 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. 
Senator 
, 
"}" 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 655 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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: 
SECTION 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 government 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 zone, and child protection zones. Drug-free 
zones refer to the total ban on dangerous, prohibited and regulated 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 zone refers to the undertaking of protective measure for children 
within a 3-kilometer radius such as but not limited to: 
(a) 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; 


(c) Provision for child assistance centers and the equipment necessary to 
'implement the provisions of this Act; 
(d) 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; 
(b) 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; 
(e) 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 
Government (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 
7) 
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; 
(b) To submit a monthly progress report with the President and Congress 
with respect to the implementation of the provisions of this Act; 
(c) 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 regulations 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,