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Republic of the Philippines:

House of Representatives

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO..

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to 2016 statistics in the United States of America (NIDA) and Thailand
(Dara), roughly 50 — 90% dependent on the drug of choice, individuals relapse or return to drug
use within the year following treatment. Thus, a suitable drug relapse prevention program is
needed to address the growing number of drug users being submitted into drug rehabilitation
centers.

Poverty causes drug abuse; environmental factors can be attributed to the availability
and use of drugs. Many low-income areas are hot beds of drug dealers, and drug addicts.
Hence one of the best ways to prevent individuals from relapsing or returning to drug use is to
remove them from their current environment in this case low-income drug infused
neighborhoods. The easiest and most beneficial method of extracting them from such
environments is through the process of securing a sustainable livelihood program for the
rehabilitated, and to acquaint them with new environments wherein they are less likely to
relapse or return to further drug use.

Given these the approval of the bill is hereby earnestly sought to properly address the
need for a proper rehabilitated drug user welfare program.

RICE
presentative
2 District Caloocan City


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.,

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF REHABILITATED DRUG
OFFENDERS, THROUGH GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.

Be it enacted by the senate and the house of representative of the Philippines in congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. — “Declaration of Policy”- Rehabilitated Drug offenders are basic part of the
‘society thus the Philippine government shall endeavor to improve their general well-being
and their reintegration into society, thereby preventing repeats of the previous illegal
activities.

The State recognizes the role of the private sector in promoting the welfare and
reintegration of rehabilitated drug offenders.

SECTION 2. ~ “Coverage” — This Act shall cover Rehabilitated 1* time drug offenders,
Voluntary surrenders, Acquitted suspects, and court cleared drug offender.

SECTION 3. - “Employers Incentive’- Recognizing the role of the private sector in
promoting the reintegration of rehabilitated offenders as well as their welfare and to
ensure their gainful employment, incentives shall be given to private entities which have
rehabilitated individuals in their rooster.

Private entities that employ rehabilitated drug offenders, voluntary surrenders, acquitted
suspects, and court cleared drug offenders as regular employee within six (6) months
from the dismissal of said offense, shall be entitled to an additional deduction, from their
gross income, equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the total amount paid as salaries and
wages to rehabilitated drug offenders, voluntary surrenderees, acquitted suspects, and
court cleared drug offenders, for a period of up to eighteen (18) months following their


employment, provided further that the employee has been verified by the Department of
Health for their completion of rehabilitation record and other qualifications as may be
required by the Department of Labor and Employment.

SECTION 4. - “Vocational Rehabilitation” - The State through the Department of Labor
and Employment shall take vocational rehabilitation measures that shall serve to develop
the skills and potential of rehabilitated drug offenders, voluntary surrenders, acquitted
suspects and court cleared drug offenders, to enable them to compete for available
productive and remunerative employment opportunities in the labor market. In addition, it
shall promote cooperation and coordination between the government and non-
government organization and other private entities engaged in vocational rehabilitation
activities.

SECTION 5. - “Role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development” - The
Department of Social Welfare and Development in conjunction with the Department of
Health, shall procure available land, and shall design and implement training programs
and activities for the development of rehabilitated drug users, through the Vocational
rehabilitation program. Providing and evaluating guidance and counselling to enable the
rehabilitated drug user to properly reintegrate into the work force.

SECTION 6. - Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Social Welfare and
Development in coordination with the Department of Labor and the Department of Health shall
within 90 days after the approval of this bill, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations
necessary to properly implement the provisions of this bill.

SECTION 7. -“Funding and Appropriations”. The amount necessary to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Department
of Health. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its full implementation shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 8. ~ “Separability Clause”. If for any reason any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SECTION 9.- “Repealing Clause”. All acts, decrees. general orders and circulars, or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 10. - Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general Circulation. Approved,

Approved