THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
I 
Introduced by Senator LUISA "LOI" P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There is an inherent need to ensure the total human development 
and the protection and promotion of the well-being of the youth, who 
comprise almost two-thirds of the population and are considered the 
hope of the country. In fact the Constitution, in recognition of the vital 
role of the youth in nation-building, mandates the State under Article 11, 
Section 13, "to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual , and social well-being and encourage their involvement in 
public and civic affairs." Furthermore, under Section 14, "the State shall 
protect and promote the right of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them." 
Considering that majority of the youth are of school age, one way 
to carry out these constitutional provisions, is to declare the university 
belt in Manila and all other school, college or university sites or 
campuses, whether public or private, as drug-free zones and child 
protection zones. Drug-free zones refer to the total ban on drugs, 
alcoholic drinks, lewd shows, pornographic or obscene materials and its 
effective implementation in and around school sites within a three (3) 
kilometer radius. Child protection zones, on other hand, refer to the 
undertaking of protective measures for children within a tbree (3) 
kilometer radius such as but not limited to providing for (A) food 
products inspection within the Zone, (B) marshals to aid the children 
against criminal activity and for safety, (C) child assistance centers, and 
(D) crowding out of criminal elements within the zone. 
This bill seeks to declare the schools, colleges and universities as 
drug-free and child protection zones, hence, approval of this bill is 
earnestly requested. 
LUISA %OI" 4 EJERCITO ESTRASA 
Senator 
i i 
i 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S.B. NO. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO DECLARE THE UNIVERSITY BELT AREA IN MANILA AND ALL 
OTHER SCHOOL SITES OR CAMPUSES IN THE COUNTRY WHETHER 
ZONES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE A8 DRUG-FREE AND CHILD PROTECTION 
Be it enucted by the Senate and the House uf Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Statement 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. It shall 
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their 
involvement in public and civic affairs. 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant to these 
provisions of the Constitution, the Zonal Protection Policy as is 
understood in Section 3 hereof be adopted by the Government. 
Section 2. 
Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all persons, 
students, faculty members, parents, school and government personnel 
involved with or related to a public or private school, college or 
university. 
Business or commercial and other public or private 


establishments and other persons within the Drug-Free Zone or Child 
Protection Zone are also subject to the provisions of this Act. 
Section 3. Declaration. - The University Belt Area in Manila, 
and all other school, college or university site or campus whether public 
or private are hereby declared to be drug-free zone8 and child protection 
zones. Drug-free zones refer to the total ban on drugs, alcoholic drinks, 
lewd shows, pornographic or obscene materials and its effective 
implementation in and around school sites within a three (3) kilometer 
radius. 
Child protection &ne refer to the undertaking of protective 
measure for children within a 3- kilometer radius such as but not limited 
Provision for inspection of all food products within the 3 
kilometers radius; 
Provision for marshals to aid the children against criminal 
activity and for safety; 
Provision for child assistance centers and the equipment 
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act; 
Provision for crowding out of criminal elements within the 
child protection zone. 
Section 4. Effects of Declaration. - 
A) 
All schools, establishments and personnel within the zones 
shall be under the governance of the Council established 
under section 5 hereof, which shall be tasked to implement 
the provisions of this Act; 
Search and seizure authority is hereby vested in the Council; 
B) 


A warrant of arrest shall be dispensed with for the arrest of 
persons having criminal records or conviction found within 
the Zones; 
The legal periods for detention of persons involved in 
criminal offense within the zone shall also be dispensed with; 
After due inspection, the closure of all establishments within 
the zone found to be violating the provisions of this Act, is 
also vested in the Council. 
Section 5. Drug -Free Zone Council/Child Protection Zone 
Council. - For the University Belt Area and other school sites or clusters 
of the same, there is hereby established a Drug-Free Zone Council, and 
Child Protection Zone Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) 
which shall implement the provisions of this Act. 
A. 
Composition. - The Council shall be composed of the 
following members: 
The head of the school or one chosen from 
among them if school clusters are involved; 
An Undersecretary of the Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG); 
A representative of the Mayor(s) of the city or 
municipality involved; 
An Undersecretary of the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD); 
President of the Student Council; 
President of Parents Teachers Association (PTA); 
and 
Chairman to be appointed by the President. 


B. 
Term of Office. - The term of office of the members of 
the Council shall be for five (5) years with re- 
appointment. 
C. 
FurtCt.ions. - The Council shall have the following 
functions: 
a) To formulate a program of action to effectively 
implement the provisions of this Act; 
b) To submit a monthly progress report with the 
President and Congress with respect to the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act; 
c) To coordinate with other government agencies 
in implementing the plan and other programs 
of the council; 
d) To provide for a reward and/or incentive 
system 
necessary 
for 
the 
effective 
implementation of this Act; and 
e) Such other functions incidental or necessary 
for the implementation of this Act. 
Section 6, Fundfng/Appropriations. - The primary source of 
funds for the use of the Council shall be from the private sector 
contributions or other local or foreign grants. In addition, the President 
shall allocate the arnouvlt necessary for the needs of the Council from the 
budget of the Office of the President. 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within 
thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Council, in 


coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), shall issue and 
publish the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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. - Any law, presidential decree or 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule 
or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
Section 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
GVL/tmd/gvZSB 979 FEBlbills/