SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. N o.l 3 1 3
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Introduced by Senator Ana Theresia “ Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel
AN ACT MAINSTREAMING THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO PHILIPPINE 
DRUG POLICY, ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY- BASED 
PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES FOR DRUG-RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS, 
AND PROHIBITING HARMFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY INTERVENTIONS AND 
PRACTICES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Seven months since the Opian Double Barrel was issued and implemented, Filipinos have 
yet to see our drug problem anywhere near being solved. Drug trade carries on. Drug use 
persists. Our experience echoes that of different anti-drug campaigns waged all over the 
world. These wars were not able to suppress the demand and supply for drugs. If they 
have changed anything at all—they have caused the overcrowding of our prisons with 
people who do not have the means to live a decent life let alone afford an effective legal 
defense.
War on drugs campaigns have not only failed to achieve its goals, it has also fuelled 
poverty, undermined health, and exacerbated the marginalization of the poor. It has done 
more harm than drug abuse itself, killed more people than overdose mortalities did. This is 
why global policy is now taking a pivot. The public health approach to drug use is now the 
dominant framework of new drug policies adopted by Vietnam, Malaysia, France, 
Australia, Hong Kong, China, Iran, Portugal, Czech Republic, The Netherlands! 
Switzerland, the United States, Thailand, Myanmar, among others.
According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, only about nine per cent (9%) of over a million 
drug users who expressed their willingness to access treatment needed to be committed in 
rehabilitation centers. Ninety one per cent (91%) did not need institutionalized intervention. 
Without any government program to address their needs, they remain in the “Kill List.” The 
government response is currently limited to criminal prosecution and facility-based 
rehabilitation. These are clearly inadequate.
The suspension of Opian Double Barrel is a recognition that the crime and punishment 
approach is simply ineffective. Drug use remains to be a public health issue. That is why 
institutionalizing public health interventions for drug use is necessary for an effective drug 
policy. This will be our alternative to the strictly punitive and very violent campaign that has 
been senselessly claiming the lives of people we could have saved and kept alive. People 
who could use a second chance.
Nobody is beyond redemption.
So, we should explore alternatives beyond Opian Tokhang and compulsory rehabilitation. 
We should shift our policy from punishment to treatment. We should offer hope not death.


The enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.
ANA THERESIA “ RISA” HONTIVEROS- 
BARAQUEL


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. n o.1 3 1 3
ijf llu’»- *’trflar;>
■17 
FF0 “ 6 A10 20
RECtlVLu 81;
Introduced by Senator Ana Theresia “ Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel
AN ACT MAINSTREAMING THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO 
PHILIPPINE DRUG POLICY, ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING 
COMMUNITY- BASED PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES FOR DRUG- 
RELATED ISSUES AND CONCERNS, AND PROHIBITING HARMFUL AND 
DISCRIMINATORY INTERVENTIONS AND PRACTICES, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
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ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
SECTION. 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Public Health Intervention 
for Drug Use Act of 2017.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. It shall also be declared the policy of the State to address drug-related 
issues under the public health framework.
The State shall ensure that a scientific, effective, and evidence-based approach 
shall be the foundation of national drug-related policies and programs for people 
who use drugs (PWUD), including their family and relevant others.
The State shall ensure that its drug policy shall be based on the relative harm of 
psychoactive substances according to scientific studies and updated academic 
researches.
The State affirms that there are various psychosocial factors affecting the use of 
drugs. In this light, the State upholds an integrative approach to drug 
interventions taking into account the context and circumstances of the person 
who use drugs in designing public health and social programs for them.
Toward this end, the State shall endeavor to mainstream the public health 
approach to drug use, such as but not limited to harm reduction in key 
government agencies with roles on drug-related interventions. Provided that, the 
State will ensure that the public health intervention for drug use is effectively 
implemented and sufficiently funded in communities, and that relevant 
stakeholders are included in this endeavor.


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It shall also be the policy of the State to prohibit discriminatory and harmful drug- 
related interventions and practices which violate the right to health of people 
involved with drugs.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. 
shall be defined as follows;
For purposes of this Act, the following terms
A. “Dangerous drugs” pertains to those drugs listed in the Schedules 
annexed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended 
by the 1972 Protocol, and in the Schedules annexed to the 1971 Single 
Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
B. “Drug dependence" is a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive 
phenomena of variable intensity, in which the use of psychoactive drug 
takes on a high priority thereby involving, among others, a strong desire or 
a sense of compulsion to take the substance and the difficulties in 
controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination, or 
levels of use.
C. “Diversion programs” refers to measures that provide alternatives to 
criminal sanctions or incarceration for people who are involved with drug 
use and drug-related offences.
D. “Harm Reduction" refers to policies, programs, and practices that aim 
primarily 
to 
reduce 
the 
adverse 
health, 
social, 
and 
economic 
consequences of the problematic use of legal and illegal psychoactive 
drugs without focusing on drug consumption alone.
E. “Psychoactive substances" are substances that, when taken in or 
administered into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. cognition or 
affect.
ARTICLE II
Health Intervention for Drug Use
SECTION 4. Health Intervention for Drug Use Bureau. -  A Health Intervention for 
Drug Use Bureau (Bureau) shall be established under the Department of Health 
(DOH) and shall receive annual budgetary appropriations under the department.
The Bureau shall plan and implement an integrated and comprehensive public 
health approach to drug-related issues in the Philippines. It shall be the lead 
policy-making and advisory body of the government, which shall be tasked to 
design, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action 
plans of the government in order to ensure the mainstreaming of the public health 
intervention for drug use in key government agencies.
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by President upon 
recommendation of the Secretary of Health. The Director must be a Filipino 
citizen, a resident of the Philippines, and must have proven expertise on public 
health and drug policy.
The Bureau shall be composed of staff as required for the full implementation of 
the National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. The Secretary of Health 
shall also appoint civil society organizations and members of the academe 
working on drug policy and public health as policy consultants of the Bureau.
SECTION 5. National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -  Within six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act, The DOH shall develop and implement an


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integrated and comprehensive National Health Intervention Program for Drug 
Use and other drug-related issues in the Philippines.
The DOH shall likewise design, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the 
programs and action plans of the government in order to ensure the 
mainstreaming of health interventions for drug use in key government agencies 
and the private sector.
The National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program shall absorb the existing 
programs of the DOH on drug abuse prevention and treatment.
SECTION 6. Components of the National Health Intervention for Drug Use 
Program. -  The program shall include, but not be limited to, the following 
components:
(a) National public health priorities for persons who use drugs;
(b) Policy recommendations and policies;
(c) Compliance with international commitments and guidelines;
(d) Research and development agenda on public health and drug policy;
(e) Information management;
(f) Information, education, and awareness programs on public health and drug 
policy;
(g) Comprehensive advocacy and communication plan;
(h) Monitoring and evaluation protocols;
(i) Community mobilization strategies
(j) Public health and drug policy integration in key government agencies
(k) Human resource training
(l) Standards implementation of health intervention programs for drug use
SECTION 7. Health Interventions and Strategies—The selection of health 
interventions and strategies shall be based on strong evidence of effectiveness 
according to scientific, medical research and practice. The following, but not 
limited to, health interventions and strategies shall be integral part of the 
Community-Based Health Intervention for People Who Use Drugs:
a. Education and outreach. -  Development and dissemination of drug 
education campaigns materials to raise the level of public awareness on 
drugs and drug-related issues from a social, health, rights, and evidence- 
based framework. This education campaign shall also include human 
rights principles of non-violence and non-discrimination against people 
who use drugs and their full protection from stigma and hate. This could 
include, but is not limited to, counselling, HIV and hepatitis C prevention 
measures such as safe injecting techniques, overdose prevention, and 
proper condom use.
Outreach pertains to face-to-face contact with people who use drugs in the 
communities they live in, and promotion of harm reduction in their 
communities, distribute condoms and bleach kits, and other support to the 
communities based on identified needs.
b. Referral to health and social services. - Facilitate access to medical and 
social services in a comprehensive, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory 
manner, as determined by the specific needs of each person involved with 
drugs. Social services include support to improve the person’s quality of 
life, such as provision of employment, shelter, and skills training, among 
others.


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c. Peer support and mentorship program. - Establishing community-based 
core groups composed of people involved with drug use with the purpose 
of providing psychosocial support to people involved with drugs.
d. Integrative Psychotherapy. - Provision of person-centered psychosocial 
support and counselling based on assessed needs of people who use 
drugs.
Other health interventions and strategies for drug use may be developed 
and included in the program by the DOH in consultation with the civil 
society and the academe based on latest scientific evidence and research.
SECTION 8. Community-Based Health Intervention for People Who Use Drugs. -  
The DOH, in coordination with LGUs, shall establish a community-based health 
intervention program for people who use drugs designed for the assessed needs 
of each community. The development of the community-based health 
intervention program shall include the following stages:
a. Bringing Key Stakeholders Together. -  Convening people involved with 
drugs in the community and linking them with local officials, civil society 
organizations, and the private sector, to identify preventable drug- 
related harm.
b. Creating a Leadership and Organizational Structure. - Establishing a 
core group involving the Municipal or City Health Officer, barangay 
health workers, social workers, and people who use drugs.
c. Identifying Key Community Partners and Inventory of Local Services. - 
Mapping the community resources and organizational partners towards 
public health and local drug policy.
d. Community Diagnosis and Needs Mapping. -  Conducting a detailed 
needs assessment to determine the gaps in health interventions and 
strategies for people who use drugs.
e.
f.
Development of a Locally-Driven Health Intervention or Strategy. — 
Developing a comprehensive plan based on the needs and resources 
of the community.
Training of Human Resources and Implementation of Health 
Intervention and Strategies for Drug Use. -  Rolling out of the locally- 
driven plans with constant provision of technical support and funding 
assistance.
g. Monitoring and evaluation. - Conduct of studies to ensure that the local 
plans are consistent with the National Health Intervention for Drug Use 
Program and improving services based on feedback.
h. Data Gathering - Collecting of data and information relevant to drug 
policy development on a regular basis and publishing of the same
t
Each LGU shall implement a Community-Based Health Intervention Program for 
People Who Use Drugs, with adequate and qualified personnel, equipment, and 
supplies to be able to provide intervention programs to respond to the assessed 
needs of people who use drugs, which include, but not limited to, consultation, 
case management, psycho-education, counselling, health and social support, 
relapse management, and other evidence-based health interventions and 
strategies. Provided That, the national government shall provide additional and


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necessary 
funding 
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assistance 
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implementation of this provision.
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SECTION 9. Exemption from Liability. -  The manufacture, delivery, or 
possession for delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus, and other 
paraphernalia necessary for the implementation of health intervention for drug 
use program by public health officers, barangay health workers, and other health 
personnel shall not be considered a violation of Section 10, 12 and 14 of R.A. No. 
9165. Any public health officer, barangay health worker or other health personnel 
implementing the aforementioned program shall be exempted from liability and 
shall not be charged under R.A. No.9165.
SECTION 10. Promotion, Prevention, and Public Awareness. -  The DOH and the 
LGUs shall initiate and sustain a nationwide multimedia-campaign to raise the 
level of public awareness on drugs and drug-related issues from a social, health, 
rights, and evidence-based framework. This education campaign shall also 
include human rights principles of non-violence and non-discrimination against 
people who use drugs and their full protection from stigma and hate.
Education and information materials to be developed and disseminated for this 
purpose shall be reviewed regularly to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.
SECTION 11. Referral System. — The police officer, prosecutor, or any law 
enforcer shall not arrest, incarcerate, list, profile, or put under surveillance a 
PWUD but shall refer him or her to a public health officer or properly designated 
local health officer within their local government unit to undergo Community- 
Based Health Intervention Program for People Who Use Drugs.
SECTION 12. Screening and Assessment. — Each PWUD, with his or her 
consent, may undergo a screening and assessment procedure to determine the 
level of drug use and the necessary evidence-based intervention that he or she 
can avail of. The health personnel who did the screening and assessment shall 
institute a referral system, linking the PWUD to the service provider of the 
intervention or strategy he or she may choose to access.
SECTION 13. Provision of Diversion Programs. -  Each LGU shall design and 
implement diversion programs for PWUDs in their community. These programs 
shall facilitate their reintegration to family and community life.
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ARTICLE III
Voluntary Treatment and Rehabilitation
SECTION 14. Voluntary Treatment and Rehabilitation. -  Any PWUD who needed 
rehabilitation, as assessed by a public health officer or the properly designated 
local health officer, after meaningful consultation with him or her, shall be referred 
to appropriate hospitals or institutions for further care. The public health officer or 
the properly designated local health officer will also ensure proper reintegration 
strategies for the PWUD in compliance with standards set by the DOH.
SECTION 15. Exemption from Criminal Liability. -  A PWUD under a voluntary 
treatment and rehabilitation program, who is finally discharged from confinement 
or who is under a diversion program, shall not be charged with any criminal 
offense for drug use.
Likewise, a PWUD, who is not rehabilitated after commitment to a treatment or 
rehabilitation center, or who withdraws from the program, shall not be charged 
with any criminal offense for drug use.


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SECTION 16. Confidentiality of Records. -  Judicial and medical records of a
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PWUD under the voluntary treatment and rehabilitation program or under
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Community-Based Health Intervention Program for People Who Use Drugs shall
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be confidential and shall not be used against him or her for any purpose.
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Any person who disclosed the judicial or medical records of a PWUD, without his
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or her written consent, shall be administratively liable.
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SECTION 17. Compulsory Confinement. -  Compulsory confinement of a PWUD
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who refuses to undergo a voluntary treatment and rehabilitation program shall be
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prohibited.
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SECTION 18. Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers. -  The existing treatment
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and rehabilitation centers for PWUDs operated and maintained by the NBI and
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the PNP shall be operated, maintained, and managed by the DOH in
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coordination with other concerned agencies and local government units.
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ARTICLE IV
Protection of the Rights of People Who Use Drugs
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SECTION 19. Use or Possession for Personal Use. -  A person, who is found to 
be positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, or who is 
found to possess any dangerous drug for personal or medical use, shall not be 
apprehended, arrested, incarcerated, detained, listed, profiled, or subjected to 
surveillance and shall be referred to a public health officer or properly designated 
local health officer within the local government unit to be assessed under a 
Community-Based Health Intervention Program for People Who Use Drugs. After 
determination, the person who used or possessed drugs for personal or medical 
use shall be referred to the service provider of the appropriate intervention or 
strategy.
Any person apprehended for drug use or possession shall, regardless of prior or 
succeeding violations thereof, shall undergo the aforementioned community- 
based health intervention program.
SECTION 20. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other 
Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs by Medical Professionals. -  Medical 
practitioners or health professionals who are reguired to carry eguipment, 
instrument, apparatus, and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs in the 
practice of their profession, shall not be prosecuted under any provision of R A 
9165.
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The 
possession of such 
equipment, 
instrument, 
apparatus 
and other 
paraphernalia shall not constitute prima facie evidence that the possessor has 
smoked, consumed, administered to himself or herself, injected, ingested or used 
a dangerous drug.
SECTION 21. Dangerous Drugs for Medical Use. -  The delivery, possession, 
transfer, transportation, or use of cannabis and other dangerous drugs intended 
for medical use or to treat or alleviate a patient’s medical condition or symptoms 
associated with his or her debilitating disease, or its acquisition, administration, 
cultivation, or manufacturing for medical experiments, research, or for creation of 
new types of medicines shall be allowed upon application to and approval of the 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The patient, caregiver, physician, or 
medical researcher who delivers, transports, uses, acquires, administers, 
cultivates, or manufactures dangerous drugs for medical purposes shall be 
exempt from criminal liability.


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ARTICLE V 
Prohibited Acts
SECTION 22. Mandatory Drug Testing. -  Mandatory drug testing in schools, 
workplaces, and other public or private places are hereby prohibited. No drug 
testing shall be conducted as requirement for admission or enrolment in schools 
and other alternative learning institutions, as well as made a condition for 
employment or for renewal of business permit, license, or franchise, except when 
the enterprise involved is a common carrier and public safety requires otherwise.
SECTION 23. Involuntary Treatment and Compulsory Detention. —Any person 
shall not be subjected to involuntary treatment and compulsory detention. For 
persons determined by a competent court to be without legal competence to 
signify consent, the guardian or person exercising authority over the person shall 
be referred to a public health officer or properly designated local health officer for 
assessment of appropriate health intervention or strategy needed.
SECTION 24. Traumatic Physical and Psychological Intervention. -  Any 
intervention which inflicts physical or psychological trauma to people involved 
with drugs is prohibited, including, but not limited to, deprivation of food and 
water, dosing of cold water, blindfolding, confinement in enclosed spaces, verbal 
abuse, flogging, whipping, electroshock, forced evangelization or participation in 
religious practices and similar violent and harmful interventions.
SECTION 25. Non-Disclosure of Effects of Medications and Treatment. ~ 
Physicians and medical practitioners are prohibited from not disclosing relevant 
information regarding medication and treatment to people involved with drugs 
which will assist the patient and his family to make informed choices as regards 
medication and treatment plans.
SECTION 26. Denial of Health Services by Virtue of Health Status. — It is 
prohibited to deny any health service to a person involved with drugs by virtue of 
his health status, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C status.
SECTION 27. Denial of Health Services by Virtue of Drug Use Status. -  It is 
prohibited to deny any required health service to a person by virtue of his past or 
present involvement with drug use.
SECTION 28. Prohibition Against Discrimination and Stigma. —The unfair or 
unjust treatment of any person on the basis of his or her actual or perceived 
involvement with drug use that leads to the nullification or impairment of his or 
her rights and freedoms shall be prohibited. The use of discriminatory language, 
hate speech, and terms or labels promoting stigma against PWUDs shall likewise 
be prohibited.
SECTION 29. Prohibition of Arrest of a Good Samaritan. -  Any person who 
assists a person involved with drugs who needs urgent medical attention shall 
not be arrested or prosecuted.
SECTION 30. Penalties. -  Any public officer who is guilty of committing any or 
the prohibited acts will be administratively liable for suspension for six (6) months 
without pay for the first time, suspension for 12 months without pay for the 
second time, and removal from office and perpetual disqualification for the third 
time.
Any public officer, mandated in this Act to gather and publish data, who failed to 
do, so shall be administratively liable for suspension for six (6) months without 
pay.


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Any physician, medical practitioner, or health personnel who is guilty of 
committing any of the prohibited acts will be administratively liable for suspension 
of license to practice for six (6) months for the first time, suspension of license to 
practice for nine (12) months for the second time, and revocation of license for 
the third time.
The penalties provided for in this act are without prejudice to any other civil or 
criminal liabilities that may be imposed by law.
ARTICLE VI
Role of Government and Non-Government Agencies
SECTION 31. Role of Key Government Agencies in Implementing the National 
Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -
(a) The DOH shall ensure that health interventions and strategies for drug use are 
provided by all health service providers and incorporated in the health services 
provided in government institutions.
(b) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall facilitate 
the development and provision of a capacity-building program for LGUs on health 
interventions for drug use and oversee the development of Community-Based 
Health Intervention Programs for People Who Use Drugs in each LGU.
(c) The Department of Education (DepED) shall recognize the public health 
approach to drug use as framework of health and drugs awareness classes, 
which shall be integrated into primary and secondary education curricula. The 
DepEd shall ensure that the teachers, guidance counsellors, and staff are 
properly trained to provide health and drugs awareness classes.
(d) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall 
incorporate health interventions for PWUD in their social service packages.
(e) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on the 
public health approach to drug use in accordance with the National Health 
Intervention for Drug Use Program.
(f) The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) shall develop benefit 
packages for treatment of drug dependency.
(g) The Department of Justice shall train prosecutors for the proper 
implementation of diversion programs.
(h) The Philippine National Police shall train its police force for the proper 
implementation of diversion programs.
(i) The Dangerous Drugs Board shall ensure that the national drug policy 
incorporates the public health approach to drug use.
(j) The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency shall train its agents for the proper 
implementation of diversion programs.
SECTION 32. Role of Local Government Units in Implementing the National 
Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. - The LGUs shall be responsible for 
the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the local health 
intervention for drug use programs in their respective jurisdiction, consistent with 
the National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program.
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Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in 
identifying drug-related issues and in identifying and implementing health 
intervention programs. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance 
in support of municipal and city plans.
Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of 
health intervention programs.
The local chief executive shall appoint the Municipal, City Health Officer or any 
proper local health officer responsible for the formulation and implementation of 
the local health intervention for drug use program. It shall be the responsibility of 
the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for 
the accomplishment of their health intervention for drug use programs.
SECTION 33. Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations in 
Implementing the National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. -  Civil 
society organizations (CSOs) shall play a key role in the implementation of the 
National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program. The DOH and the LGUs shall 
consult and coordinate with CSOs in formulating and implementing health 
intervention for drug use programs. CSOs may also provide capacity-building 
trainings and technical assistance to the implementation of such programs.
The private sector is encouraged to support health intervention for drug use 
programs of LGUs.
ARTICLE VII 
Final Provisions
SECTION 34. Congressional Oversight Committee. -  A Joint Congressional 
Oversight Committee (COC) is hereby constituted which is mandated to review 
the implementation of this Act. The COC shall be composed of five (5) members 
from the Senate and five (5) members from the House of Representatives to be 
appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, respectively. The COC shall be jointly chaired by the 
Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the 
House of Representatives Committee on Health.
The Secretariat of the COC shall be drawn from the existing secretariat 
personnel of the standing committees composing the Congressional Oversight 
Committee and 
its funding requirements shall be charged 
under the 
appropriations of both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 
Philippines.
SECTION 35. Appropriations. -  The amount needed for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the DOH. Thereafter, 
such sums as maybe necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The DOH shall promulgate 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for this Act within ninety (90) days 
from its constitution. Failure to promulgate the IRR shall not affect the 
implementation of the self-executory provisions of this Act.
SECTION 37. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or section of this Act is held 
invalid, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect.


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SECTION 38. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders and their Implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 39. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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