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Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2661

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Present laws in the country have set the minimum legal drinking age at 18 but
due to leniency in monitoring and implementation, have led to unabated and widespread
underage drinking. Compounding the problem is the ease by which alcohol such as
beer and hard drinks can easily be bought in groceries and convenience stores by
teenagers. Also, a great number of young people can get alcohol from home, from
friends or can just discreetly buy for themselves which only goes to show that such
products can easily be obtained from various sources.

Cases of violence, sexual and drug abuse and suicide among Filipino teenagers
have been on the upswing due to underage drinking. Easy access to alcohol and other
similar products by minors has become a growing concern for society as it slowly
corrupts and destroys their future and that of the country.

This bill, therefore, seeks to guarantee that our nation's youth will become
responsible members of Philippine society. It prohibits minors from drinking alcohol,
and penalizes those who take advantage and illegally provide them easy access to
alcohol including those establishments who sell such products to them with wanton
disregard of the negative effects if uncontrolled


In view of the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this proposed
measure is earnestly requested

DIOSDADO AL ARROYO GLORI fa -APAGAL ARROYO.
Second District, Camarines Sur Secdhd District, Pampanga



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2661

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS

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 "Anti-Underage
Drinking Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the
youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. Towards this end, the State shall undertake efforts to
eliminate alcohol abuse and reduce underage drinking by prohibiting minors' access to
alcohol,

SECTION 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act, the term -
(1) "minors" — shall refer to one who is below 18 years old;

(2) "alcohol" — shall refer to ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine including all
dilutions, purifications and mixtures thereof, from whatever source by whatever
process produced and shalll include whisky, brandy, rum, gin, tequila, and vodka
and other similar products or mixtures. It shall also include malt beverages,
mixed or fermented liquors, including tuba, basi, tapuy and lambanog;


(3) "alcoholic beverages" — shall refer to liquor or brew containing alcohol as the
active agent; and

(4) "establishment" — shall refer to a place used for commercial purposes, such
as bars, restaurants, dance clubs, hotels, retail stores, supermarkets, and other
places with common business areas.

SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts are prohibited:
(1) The purchase of alcohol by minors from vendors or other sources.
(2) Purchasing or obtaining alcohol for minors.

(3) Misrepresentation of one’s age by presenting false identification or otherwise
represent themselves as being of legal purchase age

(4) Allowing the consumption or possession of any alcoholic beverages by a
person under 18 years of age on an establishment's premises, no matter who
purchased the alcoholic beverages or where they were purchased.

(8) Selling, giving, or otherwise providing alcohol to minors by an establishment
which is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, or for any employee of that
licensee, to sell or furnish any alcoholic beverages at any time to a person under
18 years of age.

SECTION 5. Penalties. -

(1) Any minor who has violated any of the provisions of this act shall be required
to render community service. Community service may consist of such acts as
being required to appear before school groups to explain the dangers of alcohol
abuse. The objective is to require the offenders to provide services that benefit
society in a more constructive way and introduce the idea of ethical action into
the value system of the perpetrator.

Such minor shall then be committed to the care of his father or mother, or
nearest relative or family friend or the proper rehabilitation facility if so required.

(2) Suspension of driver's license for those who permitted unlawful or fraudulent
use of their license in connection with any of the violations listed above.

(3) Establishments that have violated any of the provisions of this law are subject
to fines of Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the first offense and Fifty
Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for a repeated offense. Suspension or revocation
of the license of repeat offenders shall be recommended to the appropriate local
government unit.


SECTION 6. Creation of the Anti-Underage Drinking Body. — A body tasked with
monitoring the enforcement of this law shall be created. It shall be composed of a chair
and four (4) members, who shall be appointed by the President. The body shall have
the following powers and duties:

(1) To monitor the enforcement and compliance with this law;

(2) To recommend the suspension or revocation of permits for erring
establishments. Such recommendations will be submitted to the mayor's office,
at the licensing office of the local government unit concerned;

(3) To refer cases to the Department of Social Welfare so that adequate
assistance and care may be given to the minor and the minor's parents; and

(4) To make an annual report to Congress on the enforcement of the law.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Thereafter, such sum as may
be necessary for its full implementation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees or issuances,
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders or rules and regulations,
which may be inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,