Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

4614

House Bill No,

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON THE
RAMIFICATIONS OF USING ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUGS DURING
PREGNANCY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Xtll, Section 11, of the Constitution states that “the State shall
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which
shall endeavor ta make essential goods, heafth and other social services
available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs
of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.”

Teenage pregnancy is a well-known problem. Unfortunately, another
current problem has become the birth of newboms that test positive for drugs
and suffer neurological, developmental, leaming and other problems after birth.
Also, the use of alccho! during pregnancy has been identified as the cause of
fetal alcohol syndrome in newboms. Many substances including alcohol,
nicotine, and drugs of abuse can have negative effects on the developing fetus
because they are transferred to the fetus across the placenta. For example,
nicotine has been connected with premature birth and low birth weight as has the
use of cocaine. Scientific studies have shown that babies bom to marijuana
users were shorter, weighed fess, and had smaller head sizes than those bom to
mothers who did not use the drug. Smaller babies are more likely to develop
health problems.



Teenagers should know the medical consequences to their children and
the legal consequences to themselves resulting from the use of drugs or alcohol
during pregnancy. By requiring additional instruction on this subject as part of an
akeady required health course in secondary schools which teaches about drugs

and alcohol, teenagers will be made aware of the consequences of their
behavior.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the passage of this proposed bill is
eamestly sought.

DIOSDADO WACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Reguiar Session

House BitNo,__ 4614

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON THE
RAMIFICATIONS OF USING ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND DRUGS DURING
PREGNANCY

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

SECTION 1. instruction Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs. -
Instruction regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs shall be an integral part of
health education course in secondary school curriculum. Such instruction shall
include the medical risks inherent in the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
during pregnancy. Any such course shail be taught by teachers holding a
certificate to teach health,

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,