EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
SENATE
228
TIME: 
cl - ^ 0 Cin]
b il l s  r  in d e x
Introduced by SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
MANDATING 
THE 
INCLUSION 
OF 
SUBSTANCE 
ABUSE 
PREVENTION 
EDUCATION IN  THE K TO 12 CURRICULUM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Based on the 2017 data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, there 
are 4.7 million current drug user in the Philippines. Dangerous Drug Board reported 
an estimates of 4.8 million Filipinos aged 10-69 years old to have used illegal drugs at 
least once in their lives. Likewise, 20,872 out of 42,036 barangays in the country are 
considered drug-affected in 2017.
Research has shown that people are more likely to develop an addiction if they 
start using illegal substances at a young age. Youths, once involved in substance or 
drug abuse, will likely have academic, relationship and health problems which may 
include lower grades, dropping out in schools, damaged physical, cognitive and 
emotional development.
Adolescence is the period where individuals try to be more experimental and 
starts using illegal substances. As such, education about drugs and other illegal 
substances and its harmful effects should start before the teenage years.
Currently, the K to 12 curriculum introduce Substance Abuse in the 9th Grade 
which ideally are teenagers aged 15 years old. This introduction at this stage of


formative years might be too late. They might have been introduced and started using 
and abusing illegal substance. Any efforts of educating them regarding the perils of 
substance abuse will no longer be of value.
To remedy the problem, the proposed bill mandates the inclusion of substance 
abuse prevention education from 4th Grade to 12th Grade. In this manner, children will 
be equipped with sufficient knowledge and information about the dangers of 
substance abuse, the ability to resist pressure to use drugs, and the negative effects 
to society of addiction to illegal substance. This proposed solution is evidenced by 
numerous research which found that introduction to drug education, and prevention 
of substance abuse and its harmful effects, to young children is one of the major 
solutions that may help combat drug problems in many countries.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RONALD"B
ELA ROSA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
*
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
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(Oil.* ^ 
‘
SENATE
'19 
JUL -4 
A 9
S.
r; 0
No.
rf.c l. 
—
Introduced by SENATOR RONALD "BATO"
U
DELA ROSA
AN ACT
MANDATING 
THE 
INCLUSION
OF 
SUBSTANCE
ABUSE 
PREVENTION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. -T h is Act shall be known as the "Mandatory Substance
2 
Abuse Prevention Education Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Deciaration o f Policy. - I t  is a declared policy of the State to recognize
4 
the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote their physical, moral,
5 
spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.Further, it is the policy of the State to
6 
safeguard the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful
7 
effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being.
8 
Sec. 3. Mandatory Substance Abuse Prevention Education. -  Mandatory
9 
Substance Abuse Prevention Education shall be integrated in the Health Curriculum
10 
of students from Grade 4to Grade 12. The Department of Education (DepEd), in
11 
consultation with the Department of Health, shall formulate the design and details of
12 
the Substance Abuse Prevention Education.
13 
Sec. 4. Teacher's Training. -  The DepEd shall provide training for teachers
14 
focused on providing an orientation to substance abuse prevention that will enable
15 
them to select content and strategies and resources appropriate to meeting student
16 
needs.
17 
Sec. 5. Appropriation. -T h e  amounts needed to for the initial implementation
18 
of this Act shall be sourced from the current year's appropriations of the Department


1 
of Education. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued
2 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
3 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause- If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
4 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby
5 
shall remain in force and effect.
6 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. -Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
7 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this
8 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
9 
Sec. 8. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
10 
complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,