Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a more developed school-based education for drug abuse prevention 
in the basic education system. The proposed Drug Abuse Prevention Program under the “Health” 
subject is a responsive and inclusive program which aims to equip the young generation of 
Filipinos with critical information and skills on drug abuse prevention—aspiring to safeguard and 
protect their lives and their future.  
This measure proposes the integration of the following instructions in subjects from Grades 7 to 
12 under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of all public and private schools: (1) adverse 
effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on the person, the family, the school, and 
the community; (2) preventive measures against drug abuse; (3) health, socio-cultural, 
psychological, legal and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem; (4) steps to 
take when intervention on behalf of a drug dependent is needed, as well as the services available 
for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents; and (5) misconceptions about the use 
of dangerous drugs such as, but not limited to, the importance and safety of dangerous drugs for 
medical and therapeutic use as well as the differentiation between medical patients and drug 
dependents in order to avoid confusion and accidental stigmatization in the consciousness of the 
students. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 19, 2023
11:16 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
INCORPORATING A DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM  
IN SUBJECTS FROM GRADES 7 TO 12 UNDER THE K TO 12 BASIC EDUCATION 
CURRICULUM, MANDATING CAPACITY BUILDING ON DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION 
FOR TEACHERS, TEACHING DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION TO PARTNERS, 
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. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Drug Abuse Prevention Program in 
Basic Education Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. – The use of illegal drugs has been one of the 
most pressing concerns in the country as minors and the youth are continuously being utilized in 
the conduct of illegal drug activities due to their tender age and vulnerability. 
Hence, it is the policy of the State to protect minors and the youth from drug abuse and 
exploitation by providing them quality education at the early stages of their development in order 
to empower them to make their own informed choices by equipping them with critical and relevant 
information on drug abuse. 
Pursuant to said policy, this Act aims to attain the following objectives: 
a) To educate minors and the youth on the types of harmful and illegal drugs and their
pernicious effects to one's health through the program's incorporation in subjects from
Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of the Department of
Education ("DepEd"); and
b) To provide minors and the youth personal and social skills on drug abuse prevention by
discussing important matters such as the enhancement of self-esteem at the early stages
of personal development, anger management and conflict resolution, risk assessment and
decision making, interpersonal and communication issues, and positive alternatives to
drug use, among others.
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Sec. 3. Incorporating a Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Subjects from Grades 7 to 
12 under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum of the DepEd. – All public and private 
basic education institutions shall be required to incorporate a Drug Abuse Prevention Program in 
subjects from Grades 7 to12 which are included under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of 
the DepEd: 
 
a) Grades 7 to 10 - Health; 
b) Grade 11 - Physical Education and Health; and 
c) Grade 12 - Personal Development. 
 
The DepEd shall collaborate with the Department of Health (“DOH”), the Dangerous Drugs Board 
("DDB"), and relevant non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”) involved in drug demand 
reduction, to strengthen the implementation of the program in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 
under the K to 12 basic education curriculum and formulate policies, guidelines, or rules and 
regulations for this purpose.  
 
Learners, school personnel, parents, drug counselors, and health workers shall likewise be 
consulted on the prevalence of drugs in the community and the personal and social context of 
the use of particular drugs prior to the formulation of policies, guidelines, or rules and regulations 
on the implementation of the program. The content of the program shall be in consonance with 
the standards set by the aforementioned government entities.  
 
Sec. 4. Contents of the Drug Abuse Prevention Program. – The Drug Abuse Prevention 
Program, in the subject "Health" for the secondary level, particularly for Grades 7 to 10, shall 
discuss the general principles on drug abuse and mental and emotional health such as, but not 
limited to, the following: 
 
a) Types of harmful and illegal drugs and their pernicious effects on one's body such as 
having a weak immune system, heart condition, nausea, and abdominal pain, among 
others; 
b) Ways that drugs can get into the body; 
c) · Possible effects of the use of drugs on the health of others; 
d) Development of decision-making skills that will help learners to improve their quality of 
life and properly deal with negative situations such as, but not limited to, peer pressure 
which may lead to drug abuse; 
e) Information on helping students manage anger and resolve conflicts to prevent them from 
using drugs; 
f) Enhancement of self-esteem; and 
g) Basic concepts and ideas on how to follow laws and the consequences of disobeying laws. 
 
The Drug Abuse Prevention Program, in the subjects 'Physical Education and Health" and 
"Personal Development" for Grades 11 and 12, respectively, shall focus on the study of the 
surroundings and circumstances which may easily affect learners such as, but not limited to, the 
following: 
 
a) Environment of the learner and the affairs that he or she faces everyday which may 
prompt him or her to use and abuse illegal drugs; 


b) Guidance on how to respond to circumstances which may involve high risks and low gain 
choices and observation on different types of attitudes, behaviors, and emotional reactions 
on drug abuse; 
c) Learning and developing anger management, conflict resolution, risk assessment, 
decision-making,· interpersonal, and communication skills; and 
d) Further cultivation of human values, importance of community, and seeking aid from 
guidance counselors, adults, and authorities when dealing with problems related to drug 
abuse. 
 
Sec. 5. Capacity Building and Training for Teachers on Drug Abuse Prevention. – The 
DepEd, in consultation with DDB, the DOH, and relevant NGOs, shall establish and provide 
capacity building and training courses for teachers on drug abuse prevention to assist them in 
the employment of appropriate learning strategies and resources. The courses shall be constantly 
evaluated by the DepEd, in consultation with the DDB and the DOH, to ensure their sustainability.  
 
The DepEd shall require that all teachers continuously receive the capacity building and training 
courses necessary on drug abuse prevention. Attendance to these courses shall be considered as 
compliance with the corresponding completed hours of the required trainings of the Civil Service 
Commission (“CSC”) for purposes of promotion as may be applicable.  
 
To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Local School Boards shall require 
their local public schools to make available to teachers the capacity building and training courses 
on drug abuse prevention provided by the DepEd. To the extent possible, these courses shall be 
conducted at a DepEd-approved location which is most conveniently situated near the local public 
school.  
 
Sec. 6. Capacity Building and Training for Partners. – The Local Government Academy 
("LGA") of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the 
DepEd, the DDB, and the DOH, shall likewise develop a basic course on drug abuse prevention 
for the Local School Board that shall serve as a partner in the implementation of the program for 
the learners. The content of the course shall include basic principles on the types of illegal drugs, 
their harmful effects, and how the partners can teach and guide minors and the youth on matters 
related to drug abuse. The basic course shall be constantly evaluated by the DepEd, in 
consultation with the LGA, the DDB, and the DOH, to ensure its sustainability. 
 
Sec. 7. Assessment and Evaluation of the Drug Abuse Prevention Program and Other 
Reportorial Requirements. – The DepEd shall conduct assessment and evaluation to properly 
ascertain the sustainability, significance, and impact of the program on its learners. It shall submit 
to both Houses of Congress and the DDB, not later than May 31 of every year, a report on all 
activities related to the program that were conducted during the school year and any proposed 
amendments to the guidelines and rules and regulations on drug abuse prevention. 
 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of the DepEd and the DILG. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 


Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation with the DDB, shall 
jointly promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of 
this Act and issue the same within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. 
 
The IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a 
newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. – If any part, section or provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.  
 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. – Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act shall take effect 
fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,