TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
First Regular Session 
j
25 JULIO P6 27
SENATE 
S.B. No. 44B
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT INCORPORATING A DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM 
IN SUBJECTS PROM GRADES 7 TO 12 UNDER ThVk TO 12 B^
EDUADT^i°N CURRICULUM> mandating capacity building on drug
ABUSE PREVENTION FOR TEACHERS, TEACHING DRUG ABUSE 
PREVENTION TO PARTNERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
’
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The day we stop buying is the day they stop selling. I always say this
because preventive education is the only way to combat illegal drugs and drug 
abuse at the earliest opportunity. 
u ui ug
The use of illegal drugs has been one of the most pressing concerns in the
HS min0yS a^d t!le yOUth are continuously being utilized in the conduct 
of illegal drug activities due to their tender age and vulnerability.
1 Hence, it is the policy of the State to protect minors and the youth from 
bUfStaand .expl1oltatlon hy providing them quality education at the early 
infnJS Hf l eir drel°Pment m order to empower them to make their own 
dru^bLe CeS y eqUippmg them with criticai ond relevant information on
ill ^bcn our children is knowledgeable at an early age about the danger and 
111 effects of drug abuse, they will no longer be curious to try during their teenage 
years. This bill aims to establish a responsive and inclusive program to equip the 
young generation of Filipinos with critical information and skills on drug abuse 
prevention - aspmng to safeguard and protect their lives and their future. The 
passage of this bill is thus earnestly sought.
VICENTErCrBOTTO III


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
First Regular Session 
}
2^3 JULIO P6:27
SENATE
S.B. No. 446
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Drug Abuse
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Prevention Program in Basic Education Act”.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. -The use of illegal drugs
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has been one of the most pressing concerns in the country as minors and the
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youth are continuously being utilized in the conduct of illegal drug activities
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due to their tender age and vulnerability.
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Hence, it is the policy of the State to protect minors and the youth from
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drug abuse and exploitation by providing them quality education at the early
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stages of their development in order to empower them to make their own
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informed choices by equipping them with critical and relevant information on
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drug abuse.
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Pursuant to said policy, this Act aims to attain the following objectives:
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a) To educate minors and the youth on the types of harmful and illegal
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drugs and their pernicious effects to one’s health through the program’s
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incorporation in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 basic
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education curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd); and
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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


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assessment and decision making, interpersonal and communication 
issues, and positive alternatives to drug use, among others.
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 Dep Ed.- All public and private basic education 
institutions shall be required to incorporate a Drug Abuse Prevention Program 
in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 which are included under the K to 12 basic 
education curriculum of the DepEd:
a) Grades 7 to 10- Health;
b) Grades 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;


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e) Information on helping students manage anger and resolve conflicts
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to prevent them from using drugs;
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f) Enhancement of self-esteem; and
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g) Basic concepts and ideas on how to follow laws and the
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consequences of disobeying laws.
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The Drug Abuse Prevention Program, in the subjects “Physical
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Education and Health” and “Personal Development” for Grades 11 and 12,
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respectively, shall focus on the study of the surroundings and circumstances
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which may easily affect learners such as, but not limited to, the following;
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a) Environment of the learner and the affairs that he or she faces
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everyday which may prompt him or her to use and abuse illegal drugs;
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b) Guidance on how to respond to circumstances which may involve
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high risks and low gain choices and observation on different types of
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attitudes, behaviors, and emotional reactions on drug abuse;
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c) Learning and developing anger management, conflict resolution, risk
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assessment, decision-making, interpersonal, and communication
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skills; and
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d) Further cultivation of human values, importance of community, and
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seeking aid from guidance counselors, adults, and authorities when
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dealing with problems related to drug abuse.
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Sec. 5. Capacity Building and Training for Teachers oh Drug
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Abuse Prevention. - The DepEd, in consultation with DDE, the DOH, and
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relevant NGOs, shall establish and provide capacity building and training
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courses for teachers on drug abuse prevention to assist them in the
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employment of appropriate learning strategies and resources. The courses
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shall be constantly evaluated by the DepEd, in consultation with the DDE
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and the DOH, to ensure their sustainability.
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The DepEd shall require that all teachers continuously receive the
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capacity building and training courses necessary on drug abuse prevention.
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Attendance to these courses shall be considered as compliance with the
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corresponding completed hours of the required trainings of the Civil Service
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Commission (“CSC”) for purposes of promotion as may be applicable.
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To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Local
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School Boards shall require their local public schools to make available to
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teachers the capacity building and training courses on drug abuse prevention
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provided by the DepEd. To the extent possible, these courses shall be
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conducted at a DepEd-approved location which is most conveniently situated
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near the local public school.


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Sec. 6. Capacity Building and Training for Partners. - The Local
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Government Academy (“LGA”) of the Department of the Interior and Local
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Government (DILG), in coordination with the DepEd, the DDB, and the DOH,
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shall likewise develop a basic course on drug abuse prevention for the Local
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School Board that shall serve as a partner in the implementation of the
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program for the learners. The content of the course shall include basic
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principles on the types of illegal drugs, their harmful effects, and how the
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partners can teach and guide minors and the youth on matters related to drug
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abuse. The basic course shall be constantly evaluated by the DepEd, in
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consultation with the LGA, the DDB, and the DOH, to ensure its
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sustainability.
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Sec. 7. Assessment and Evaluation of the Drug Abuse Prevention
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Program and Other Reportorial Requirements. - The DepEd shall conduct
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assessment and evaluation to properly ascertain the sustainability,
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significance, and impact of the program on its learners. It shall submit to both
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Houses of Congress and the DDB, not later than May 31 of eveiy year, a report
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on all activities related to the program that were conducted during the school
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year and any proposed amendments to the guidelines and rules and
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regulations on drug abuse prevention.
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Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the
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current appropriations of the DepEd and the DILG. Thereafter, the amount
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necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
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the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in
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consultation with the DDB, shall jointly promulgate the implementing rules
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and regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of this Act and issue the
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same within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.
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The IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days
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after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this
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Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected
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thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees,
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executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts
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thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby
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modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR,
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this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
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Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,