Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

7
HOUSE BILL NO. 474

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Program
within the K to 12 basic education curriculum, focusing on Grades 7 to 12. It aims to address
the urgent need for sustained, structured, and effective education on drug prevention among
Filipino youth. Despite the mandates under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, drug prevention education in schools remains inconsistent and
fragmented. This measure offers a clear framework for embedding drug abuse prevention in
the school system, ensuring that students are not only informed but are also empowered to
make healthier choices.

According to the Dangerous Drugs Board’s latest statistics, methamphetamine
hydrochloride, or shabu, remains the most commonly abused substance, followed by
marijuana'. In 2022, the youngest admission for rehabilitation centers is 13, while the eldest is
72. As to educational attainment, 26.99% have attained high school level, 19.61% have
reached college, and 17.44% are those who have graduated high school. Considering the age
at first drug use, 41.32% belong to ages 15 to 19 years old. These figures show us that many
of those struggling with drug dependency are of school age or just beyond it. In addition, a
journal published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests that the vulnerability of
Filipino youth to risky behaviors, including substance abuse, is rising partly because of
socioeconomic hardship and social pressures.

The failures of purely punitive approaches to the drug problem have become
increasingly clear because despite the aggressive campaign waged in recent years, illegal drugs
continue to infiltrate communities. This bill bridges the gaps in existing laws by
complementing Republic Act No. 9165 with a proactive, educational approach that focuses on
prevention rather than punishment. While RA 9165 establishes penalties for drug offenses and

, Dangerous Drugs Board (008) Annual Report 2016
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mandates awareness programs, it lacks the depth and integration necessary for a sustained
impact within the school curriculum. This proposed measure fills that void by equipping young
learners with the knowledge and life skills to resist drugs before they fall into harm’s way.

The Drug Abuse Prevention Program envisioned in this bill integrates age-appropriate
content into the curriculum, fosters critical thinking, and strengthens decision-making and
coping skills. Teachers will receive continuous training to deliver this education effectively,
while parents and communities are encouraged to participate in reinforcing these lessons at
home and in society.

This measure reaffirms the nation’s duty to protect its children, not just through laws
and enforcement, but by educating them early, guiding them to choose a better path, and
safeguarding their future from the devastation of drug abuse.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIME ZC EDI
Réprésentdtive
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

75

73

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Drug Abuse Prevention Program
in Basic Education Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to give
priority to education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and
promote total human liberation and development. The use of illegal drugs has been one of the
most pressing concems in the country as minors and the youth are continuously being utilized
in the conduct of illegal drug activities due to their tender age and vulnerability.

Hence, it is the policy of the State to protect minors and the youth from drug abuse and
exploitation by providing them quality education at the early stages of their development in
order to empower them to make their own informed choices by equipping them with critical
and relevant information on drug abuse.

Pursuant to said policy, this Act aims to attain the following objectives:

a) Educate minors and the youth on the types of harmful and illegal drugs
and their pernicious effects to one’s health through the program’s incorporation in
subjects from Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of the
Department of Education (“DepEd”); and

b) 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 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 and conflict resolution,
risk 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 DepEd. — 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) Grade 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.

Leamers, 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;


e) Information on helping students manage anger and resolve conflicts to
prevent them from using drugs;

f) Enhancement of self-esteem; and

g) Basic concepts and ideas on how to follow laws and the consequences of
disobeying laws.

‘The Drug Abuse Prevention Program, in the subjects “Physical Education and Health”
and “Personal Development” for Grades 11 and 12, respectively, shall focus on the study of
the surroundings and circumstances which may easily affect learners such as, but not limited
to, the following:

a) Environment of the learner and the affairs that he or she faces everyday
which may prompt him or her to use and abuse illegal drugs;

b) Guidance on how to respond to circumstances which may involve high
risks and low gain choices and observation on different types of attitudes, behaviors,
and emotional reactions on drug abuse;

©) Learning and developing anger management, conflict resolution, risk
assessment, decision-making, interpersonal, and communication skills; and

4) Further cultivation of human values, importance of community, and
seeking aid from guidance counselors, adults, and authorities when dealing with
problems related to drug abuse.

SEC. 5. Capacity Building and Training for Teachers on Drug Abuse Prevention. ~ The
DepEd, in consultation with DDE, the DOH, and relevant NGOs, shall establish and provide
capacity building and training courses for teachers on drug abuse prevention to assist them in
the employment of appropriate learning strategies and resources. The courses shall be
constantly evaluated by the DepEd, in consultation with the DDE and the DOH, to ensure their
sustainability.

The DepEd shall require that all teachers continuously receive the capacity building and
training courses necessary on drug abuse prevention. Attendance to these courses shall be
considered as compliance with the corresponding completed hours of the required trainings of
the Civil Service Commission (“CSC”) for purposes of promotion as may be applicable.

To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Local Schoo! Boards shall
require their local public schools to make available to teachers the capacity building and training
courses on drug abuse prevention provided by the DepEd. To the extent possible, these courses
shall be conducted at a DepEd-approved location which is most conveniently situated near the
local public school.

SEC. 6. Capacity Building and Training for Partners. ~The Local Government Academy
(“LGA”) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with
the DepEd, the DDB, and the DOH, shall likewise develop a basic course on drug abuse
prevention for the Local Schoo! Board that shall serve as a partner in the implementation of the
program for the leamers, The content of the course shall include basic principles on the types


of illegal drugs, their harmful effects, and how the partners can teach and guide minors and the
youth on matters related to drug abuse. The basic course shall be constantly evaluated by the
DepEd, in consultation with the LGA, the DDB, and the DOH, to ensure its sustainability.

SEC. 7. Assessment and Evaluation of the Drug Abuse Prevention Program and Other
Reportorial Requirements. — The DepEd shall conduct assessment and evaluation to properly
ascertain the sustainability, significance, and impact of the program on its learners. It shall
submit to both Houses of Congress and the DDB, not later than May 31 of every year, a report
on all activities related to the program that were conducted during the school year and any
proposed amendments to the guidelines and rules and regulations on drug abuse prevention.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of the DepEd and the DILG.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation with the
DDB, shall jointly promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to implement the
provisions of this Act and issue the same within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.

The IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days afer its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. ~ If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, ordinances, administrative order, rules
and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,