, 
0 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~~19 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section II states: 
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other 
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority 
for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. 
Teenage pregnancy is a well-known problem. Unfortunately, another current problem 
has become the birth of newborns that test positive for drugs and suffer neurological, 
developmental, learning and other problems after birth. Also, the use of alcohol during 
pregnancy has been identified as the cause of fetal alcohol syndrome in newborns. Many 
substances including alcohol, nicotine, and drugs of abuse can have negative effects on the 
developing fetus because they are transferred to the fetus aeross the placenta. For example, 
nicotine has bcen connccted with premature birth and low birth weight as has the usc of cocaine. 
Scientific studies have shown that babies born to marijuana users were shorter, weighed less, and 
had smaller head sizes than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. Smaller babies are 
more likely to develop health problems. 
Teenagers should know the medical consequences to their children and the legal 
consequences to themselves resulting from the use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy. By 
requiring additional instruction on this subject as part of an already required health course in 
secondary ~chools which teaches about drugs and alcohol, teenagers will be made aware of the 
consequences of their behavior.' 
• This bill was originally filed in the 14th Congress. 


1 
2 
3 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
1@ 
AUG -2 F-'1 :3' 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~219 
S. No. ___ --'--
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT REQUIRING INSTRUCTIONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
CONCERNING THE RAMIFICATIONS OF USING ALCOHOL, 
TOBACCO AND DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Instruction Regarding Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs. - Instruction 
5 
regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs shall be an integral part of health education course in 
6 
secondary school curriculum. Such instruction shaU include the medical risks inherent in the use 
7 
of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs during pregnancy. Any such course shall be taught by 
8 
teachers holding a certificate to teach health. 
9 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - AU laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
10 
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
II 
modified accordingly. 
12 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
13 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
1