UNIT 2:

HEALTH
TRENDS,
ISSUES, AND
CONCERNS IN
THE NATIONAL
 HEALTH- RELATED LAWS
• CONSUMER ACT • R.A. 7394
• TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES ACT • R.A.8423
• RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH ACT
• R.A. 10354

• PHILIPPINE AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT • R.A. 8504

• COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT • R.A. 9165

• TOBACCO REGULATION ACT • R.A. 9211
• CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT • R.A. 10175
• ANTI-CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ACT
• R.A. 9775
• NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICES ACT
• R.A. 7719
• ANTI-HAZING LAW
• R.A. 8949
• NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
ACT • R.A. 9512
• SEAT BELTS USE ACT • R.A. 8750
• ANTI-DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING LAW
• R.A. 10586
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 OR
THE CONSUMER ACT OF THE
PHILIPPINES HAS THREE OBJECTIVES
(GALVEZ TAN, ET AL., 2009):
1. PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE
CONSUMER
2. PROMOTE HIS/HER GENERAL WELFARE
3. ESTABLISH STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
CONSUMER ACT, REPUBLIC ACT 8423
OR THE TRADITIONAL AND
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ACT OF 1997
(TAMA) PROVIDES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT
OF QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE
SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE
DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL AND
ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE AND ITS
INTEGRATION INTO THE NATIONAL
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
 RA 10354 OR MOST
COMMONLY KNOWN AS
THE RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT.
 THE RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
ACT BUILDS IT
FOUNDATION ON FOUR
PILLARS
PILLAR 1: INFORMED CHOICE
AS STATED IN THE ACT, EFFECTIVE AND QUALITY
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, WHICH ARE
ETHICALLY AND MEDICALLY SAFE, LEGAL,
ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE, SHALL BE GIVEN
PRIMACY TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER
AND CHILD. ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT SHALL
PROMOTE AND PROVIDE UNBIASED INFORMATION
AND ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES. THIS PILLAR ALSO
COVERS THE PROVISION FOR THE INTEGRATION OF
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION
IN SCHOOLS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
PILLAR 2: RESPECT FOR LIFE
THE ACT RECOGNIZES THAT ABORTION IS
ILLEGAL AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
HOWEVER, MOTHERS WILL BE IDENTIFIED
TO HAVE ABORTED AN UNBORN CHILD
WILL BE SERVED WITH POST-ABORTIVE
TREATMENT AND COUNSELING IN A
HUMANE, NONJUDGMENTAL, AND
COMPASSIONATE MANNER
PILLAR 3: BIRTH CONTROL
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE,
INFORMATION, AND SUPPLIES SHALL BE
MADE AVAILABLE MOST ESPECIALLY TO
POOR BENEFICIARIES. HOWEVER, THE ACT
PROVISIONS ALSO THAT THE
GOVERNMENT MUST RESPECT THE
CITIZEN’S INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES AND
CHOICES OF FAMILY PLANNING METHOD.
PILLAR 4: RESPONSIBLE PEARENTHOOD
COUPLES DETERMINE THEIR IDEAL
FAMILY SIZE. IN ADDITION, THE
GOVERNMENT SHALL EQUIP EACH
PARENT WITH NEEDED INFORMATION
IN ALL ASPECTS OF FAMILY LIFE,
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, AND THIS
PILLAR.
 AS ADOLESCENTS, WHAT
BENEFITS DO WE GET FROM
THE RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD AND
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ALSO CONCERNS
PROBLEMS SUCH AS SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED
INFECTIONS. ACCORDING TO DR. NATIVIDAD
(2013), IN THE YOUNG ADULT FERTILITY AND
SEXUALITY STUDY OF 2013 (YAFS-4), A SURVEY
OF FILIPINO COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES, 36.2 PERCENT AND 43.5 PERCENT
RESPECTIVELY ADMITTED TO HAVING ENGAGED
IN PREMARITAL SEX. IN ADDITION 66.7 PERCENT
AND 79.6 PERCENT DID NOT USE ANY
PROTECTION AT FIRST PREMARITAL SEX. THESE
SCENARIOS ARE MOST OFTEN THE CAUSES OF
INFECTIONS.
ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY
SYNDROME OR AIDS IS CAUSED BY
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
WHICH USUALLY DOES NOT HAVE
SYMPTOMS IN ITS EARLY STAGES.
“INITIALLY, PEOPLE WITH HIV WERE
DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AIDS ONLY
WHEN THEY DEVELOPED BLOOD
INFECTIONS, THE CANCER KNOWN AS
KAPOSI’S SARCOMA, OR ANY OF THE 21
OTHER INDICATOR DISEASES” (DONATELLE,
2006).
 IN ADDITION, HIV IS HIGHLY INFECTIOUS
THROUGH UNPROTECTED SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE, BREASTFEEDING (OF AN
INFECTED MOTHER TO INFANT), AND
BLOOD TRANSFUSION/INJECTING DRUGS
(NEEDLES USED FOR INFECTED PATIENTS).
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE SEVERAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HIV AND AIDS,
BUT NO KNOWN CURE YET.
THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504 OR THE PHILIPPINE
AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF
1998 WAS PASSED BY THE CONGRESS ON
JULY 28, 1997. THE ACT PROMULGATES
“POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING MEASURES FOR
THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS
IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTITUTING A
NATIONWIDE HIV/AIDS INFORMATION AND
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, ESTABLISHING A
COMPREHENSIVE HIV/AIDS MONITORING
SYSTEM, STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL AIDS COUNCIL, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES” (PNAC).
THE ACT ALSO PROVIDES FOR
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION IN VARIOUS
INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES, SAFE
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES (TESTING,
SCREENING, AND COUNSELING) IN
HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND
ASSOCIATIONS, MONITORING OF CASES
WITH CONFIDENTIALITY, AND PROGRAMS
FOR ANTI-DISCRIMINATORY ACTS (IN THE
WORKPLACE, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS).
GATEWAY DRUGS MAY BE CONSIDERED AS
WINDOWS TO UNPROTECTED SEX. THESE ARE
DRUGS “THAT PEOPLE USE INITIALLY THAT MAY
EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE ABUSE OF ILLEGAL
DRUGS” (GALVEZ TAN, ET AL., 2009). ALCOHOL
AND TOBACCO ARE GATEWAY DRUGS. WHEN
ALCOHOL IS CONSUMED, THE CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM IS AFFECTED. THUS, A
PERSON IS MORE VULNERABLE TO DOING
DANGEROUS ACTS BECAUSE OF DEPRESSED
DECISION-MAKING SKILLS.
On the other hand, the government
also provides protection from these
gateway drugs through the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs
Act and the Tobacco Regulation
Act.
Republic Act No. 9165 or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002 protects citizens from the
harmful effects of dangerous drugs to
their physical and mental well-being.
According to the policy, here are some
which are considered as unlawful acts and
are subject to penalties and fines.
a. Importing of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
(narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances)
b. Selling, trading, administering, dispensing,
delivering, distributing, and transporting
dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors
and essential chemicals
c. Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort
d. Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
e. Manufacturing or delivery of
equipment, instrument, apparatus, or
other paraphernalia for dangerous
drugs and/or controlled precursors
and essential chemicals
f. Possessing dangerous drugs,
equipment, instrument, apparatus, or
other paraphernalia
g. Possessing dangerous drugs
during parties, social gatherings or
meetings
h. Cultivating or culturing plants
classified as dangerous drugs or
sources of such
i. Unnecessary prescribing
dangerous drugs
ON THE OTHER HAND, REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 9211 OR THE
TOBACCO REGULATION ACT
OF 2003 PROTECTS PEOPLE
FROM THE SALE, USE, AND
ADVERTISEMENTS OF
HAZARDOUS TOBACCO
PRODUCTS.
IN ORDER TO PROMOTE A HEALTHFUL
ENVIRONMENT, THE ACT ABSOLUTELY BANS
SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES, MOST
ESPECIALLY IN CENTERS OF YOUTH
ACTIVITIES, ELEVATORS AND STAIRWELLS,
FIRE-HAZARDOUS PLACES, WITHIN PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL
CLINICS, AIRPORT AND OTHER TERMINALS,
AND FOOD PREPARATION AREAS. IN THIS
LIGHT, A DESIGNATED SMOKING AND
NON-SMOKING AREA SHOULD BE UTILIZED.
THE ACT ALSO RESTRICTS ACCESS TO
SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO
MINORS. TOBACCO MAY NOT BE PUT
IN A VENDING MACHINE, UNLESS IT
VERIFIES AGE, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD
WITHIN 100 METERS OF A SCHOOL.
SHOULD TOBACCO BE SOLD, THERE
SHOULD BE PROPER SIGNAGE THAT
INDICATES TARGET CONSUMERS
SOCIAL HEALTH

1. CYBERCRIME WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF

TECHNOLOGY, THERE ARE VARIOUS
PLATFORMS WHERE YOU MAY EXPRESS
YOURSELF. THIS DIVERSITY MAY DO BOTH
GOOD AND HARM TO YOU. “CYBER REFERS
TO A COMPUTER OR A COMPUTER
NETWORK, THE ELECTRONIC MEDIUM IN
WHICH ONLINE COMMUNICATION TAKES
PLACE”. THUS, CYBERCRIME IS SIMPLY ANY
CRIME COMMITTED IN CYBERSPACE.
TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS FROM THIS
CONCERN, THE GOVERNMENT
MANDATED REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10175
OR THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT
OF 2012. THE LAW MANDATES THE
PROHIBITION OF CYBERSEX, CHILD
PORNOGRAPHY, UNSOLICITED
COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS,
AND COMPUTER-RELATED IDENTITY
THEFT.
2. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN RELATION TO
CYBERCRIME, CHILD PORNOGRAPHY HAS
BECOME A PRESSING CONCERN OF THIS
GENERATION.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9775 OR THE ANTICHILD
PORNOGRAPHY ACT OF 2009 DEFINES THE
CRIME OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
AS DEFINED, “CHILD PORNOGRAPHY”
REFERS TO ANY REPRESENTATION, WHETHER
VISUAL, AUDIO, OR WRITTEN
COMBINATION THEREOF, BY ELECTRONIC,
MECHANICAL, DIGITAL, OPTICAL, MAGNETIC
OR ANY OTHER MEANS, OF CHILD
ENGAGED OR INVOLVED IN REAL OR
SIMULATED EXPLICIT SEXUAL ACTIVITIES”
(OFFICIAL GAZETTE, 2009). IN ADDITION, IT
IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE HOW THE
ACT DEFINES A “CHILD”.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY MAY ALSO BE SYNDICATED
IF THERE ARE THREE (3) OR MORE PERSONS
CONFEDERATING WITH ONE ANOTHER. IN THIS
LIGHT, IT IS NOT ONLY THE VICTIM WHO CAN FILE A
COMPLAINT, BUT THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS,
RELATIVE WITHIN THE THIRD DEGREE, OFFICER OR
SOCIAL WORKER OF A LICENSED CHILD-CARING
INSTITUTION OR DSWD, BARANGAY CHAIRMAN,
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AT LEAST THREE
CONCERNED RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS IN THE SAME
PLACE WHERE THE PORNOGRAPHY OCCURS, AND A
PERSON WHO IS KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE LAW
MAY DO SO.
ONCE THE VICTIM IS IDENTIFIED, HE/SHE IS
SUBJECT TO CARE, CUSTODY AND
TREATMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT. IN
ADDITION, AN INTER-AGENCY PROGRAM
SHALL ALSO BE ESTABLISHED TO PREVENT
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
3. HAZING
FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES, GANGS, AND
SOCIAL GROUPS ARE STARTING TO BECOME
MORE AND MORE IDENTIFIED AND PUBLICIZED.
BECAUSE OF THEIR “ALLEGED” PRESTIGE AND
PRIME, MORE TEENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE
A PART OF THEM. FOR SOME OF THESE
GROUPS, HAZING MAY BE AN OPTION TO TEST
AN “APPLICANT’S” WILLINGNESS AND
COMMITMENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, HAZING
IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND PROVEN TO HAVE
KILLED MANY LIVES
THE GOVERNMENT PROTECTS THE YOUTH
THROUGH THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8949 OR
THE ANTI-HAZING LAW. THE ACT PENALIZES
THOSE WHO WILL GO TOO FAR DURING
INITIATION RITES WHEREIN THE
“APPLICANT” IS SUBJECTED TO SEVERE
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PAIN AND
SUFFERING
4. BLOOD DONATION BEING PROACTIVE CITIZENS
OF THE COUNTRY, YOU MUST WILLINGLY HELP
OTHERS IN WAYS THAT WILL NOT HARM YOU.
ONE OF THE EMERGING FORMS OF VOLUNTARY
SERVICE IS BLOOD DONATION. REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7719 OR THE NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICES ACT OF
1994 AIMS TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE
VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION BY THE CITIZENRY,
PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE
AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD AND
BLOOD PRODUCTS.
IN ORDER TO ATTAIN THESE AIMS, THE ACT PROVISIONS THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF A BLOOD SERVICES NETWORK WHICH
CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING:

A. NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BLOOD SERVICES AND ITS

VARIOUS COMMITTEES
IT SERVES AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE NETWORK
AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPROVAL OF VARIOUS
POLICIES ON BLOOD SERVICES.
B. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICES
UNDER ITS BLOOD CENTERS, IT WORKS ON THE
RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND CARE OF VOLUNTARY
BLOOD DONORS, COLLECTION OF BLOOD FROM
QUALIFIED DONORS, TESTING OF UNITS OF BLOOD FOR
INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND THE LIKE.
C. AUTHORIZED BLOOD COLLECTION
UNITS AND FACILITIES
D. PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOSPITAL
BLOOD BANKS AND BLOOD
STATIONS
E. NON-HOSPITAL HEALTH FACILITIES
F. NATIONAL REFERENCE
LABORATORIES FOR IMMUNOLOGY
AND IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY
VI. SAFETY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION AND ROAD SAFETY ARE TWO
OF THE MOST USUAL ISSUES THAT
CONCERN YOU AS A MEMBER OF YOUR
COMMUNITY. HERE ARE SOME POLICIES
MOST APPROPRIATE TO ADDRESS THESE
CONCERNS.
1. POLLUTION
WITH THE EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN
POPULATION, MORE RESOURCES ARE BEING
DEMANDED AND SUPPLIED TO THE PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, PEOPLE DO NOT MANAGE THESE
RESOURCES PROPERLY. THUS, POLLUTION
ARISES. THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT
MANDATED THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9512 OR
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ACT OF 2008.
THIS ACT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. VARIOUS
EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES, DSWD, DOST, AND DENR SHALL
INTEGRATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THEIR
CURRICULA. IT SHALL ENCOMPASS THE CONCEPTS AND
PRINCIPLES, LAWS, INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL BEST
PRACTICES, THREATS OF DEGRADATION AND ITS
IMPACTS TO HUMAN WELL-BEING, RESPONSIBILITIES
OF HUMANS IN CONSERVATION, PROTECTION AND
REHABILITATION OF RESOURCES, AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENT. IN
ADDITION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SHALL
ALSO BE PART OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING
PROGRAM (NSTP).
2. ROAD SAFETY
ROAD ACCIDENTS ARE ONE OF THE
MOST FREQUENT CAUSES OF DEATH
AMONG FILIPINOS. TO RESPOND TO
THIS ALARMING SITUATION, CITIZENS
ARE PROTECTED BY LAW THROUGH
THESE REPUBLIC ACTS.
REPUBLIC ACT NO 8750 OR THE SEAT BELTS USE
ACT OF 1999 AIMS TO SECURE AND
SAFEGUARD PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS OF
MOTOR VEHICLES FROM INJURIES AND OTHER
EFFECTS OF VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS. THE
POLICY INCLUDES THE MANDATORY WEARING
OF SEATBELTS BY THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT
PASSENGERS OF ANY RUNNING MOTOR
VEHICLE. THE ACT ALSO PROHIBITS CHILDREN
FROM SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT OF ANY
MOTOR VEHICLE.
 IN ADDITION, REPUBLIC ACT NO.
10586 OR THE ANTI-DRUNK AND
DRUGGED DRIVING LAW ALSO
PENALIZES THOSE WHO WILL BE
CAUGHT DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS,
AND OTHER SIMILAR SUBSTANCES.
REQUIREMENT: (To be passed) copy and
do slides 45-51 by pair. Boy and girl
preferably.
A. HEALTH HEADLINES
1. Look for a news clip about a health
concern or issue (in the past 2-3
months)
2. Read and analyze it.
3. Identify which policy is concerned
with the issue.
4. Write a short commentary on the
news item.
B. I AM AWARE
HAVING DISCUSSED THE IMPACT OF THE
NATIONAL ISSUES, TRENDS, CONCERNS, AND
THE LAWS THAT APPLY TO THEM, WHAT IS
THEIR IMPACT TO YOU AS AN ADOLESCENT?

1. Select 3-4 acts or laws that best apply to

you as a teenager.

2. Write a personal essay about them.

C. STUDENT LAWYERS

1. READ AND ANALYZE THE SITUATIONS.

2. WHAT HEALTH POLICY/POLICIES IS/ARE CONCERNED
IN EACH SITUATION? 3. IN WHAT WAY MAY THE
POLICY/POLICIES AFFECT THE CHARACTER?

1. A factory worker voluntarily underwent HIV testing.The

result shows that the worker is positive with the
infection.He/she reported about it to the administration.
He/she is now hearing discriminatory remarks from the co-
workers.Apparently, the administrator spread the news of his
condition to the workers

Health policy:
_________________________________________________
how does the law affect the character?
_________________________________________________
2. A couple is getting married in
a few months. They are required
to attend seminars on family
planning

Health policy:
____________________________
How does the law affect the character?
___________________________
What advice would you give the couple?
___________________________
3.Upon scouting the area, neighbor a
identifies a certain plant as a source of
an addictive substance. The area is
owned by a rich businessman in the city.
Health policy:
___________________________________
how does it affect both characters?
___________________________________
If you are neighbor A, from whom will you ask help about
your concern?
___________________________________
4. An old person consults a doctor and is
advised to undergo alternative health care.
The old person is apprehensive and doubtful
of the health care option
Health policy: ____________________________
how does it affect the character?
___________________________
Why do people think lowly about alternative and
complementary healthcare modalities?
____________________________
D. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS.

1. How can you avoid using

GATEWAY drugs?(10 points)

2. As adolescents, what benefits do

we get from the responsible
parenthood and reproductive health
act.(10 points)