Over the years, infectious diseases, crimes, and
other health problems continue to dominate in many
developing countries. Also, adaption of different
lifestyles and loopholes in the implementation of
existing policies could be one of the contributing
factors. But if young people like you will take a lead in
understanding the significance of the existing health-
related laws in safeguarding people's health and will
put into action all the learnings that you will acquire,
this problem will gradually die. To make it happen,
better take a step forward and start now by taking time
to read this:
A. Consumer Health
Republic Act No. 7394 or as the Consumer Act of the
Philippines has three objectives
(Galvez Tan, et al., 2009)
a. Protect the interest of the consumer
b. Promote his/her general welfare
c. Establish standards of conduct for business and
industry
Republic Act No. 7394 or Consumer Act
- aims to protect the people against hazards to
health and safety, and deceptive and unfair
sales acts and
- the policy mandates for information
dissemination and education to facilitate
sound choice and proper exercise of rights by
the consumer
- covers the quality and safety of different
products like food, drugs, cosmetics, and
devices
- promotes the protection of citizens against
hazardous substances that may be in sale.
Hence, proper labeling and fair packaging shall
be required for all the products being sold
Aside from health information and products,
health services also play an important role under the
Consumer Act, are also availed by consumers. One
form of health service is complementary and
alternative medicine.
Consumer Act 8424 or the Traditional and Alternative
Medicine Act of 1997 (TAMA)
- provides for the improvement of quality and
delivery of health care services in the country
through the development of traditional and
alternative healthcare and its integration into
the national healthcare system
B. Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health
- defined as a state of physical, mental, and
social well-being in all matters relating to the
reproductive system, at all stages of life. With
the sudden physical and emotional changes in
your body, more and more questions are
starting to surface
- crucial for it paves the way for your social and
economic development
- also a great influence in the health of the next
generation. The health of newborn children
will be dependent of the health of the parents,
particularly the mother.
Republic Act 10354 or Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act
- the government mandated this act to aid the
reproductive health needs of the citizens
Reproductive health also concerns problems such as
sexually transmitted infections.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS
- caused by Human Immune Deficiency 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 sarcoma, or any of the 21 other
indicators diseases"
Human Immune Deficiency Virus or HIV
- highly infectious through unprotected sexual
intercourse, breastfeeding (of an infected
mother to infant), and blood transfusion/
injecting drugs (needles used for infected
patients).
There are several treatment options for HIV and AIDS,
but no known cure yet, currently.
.
Republic Act No. 8504 or the Philippine AIDS
Prevention and Control Act of 1998
- passed by the Congress on July 28, 1997
- promulgates "policies and prescribing
measures for the prevention and control of
HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a
nationwide HIV/AIDS information and
education program, establishing
comprehensive HIV/AIDS monitoring system
strengthening the Philippine National AIDS
Council, and for other purposes”
- 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)
a. Cybercrime
 refers to a crime using computer network, the
electronic medium on which online
communication takes place like bullying,
cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited
commercial communication, and computer-
related identify theft.
Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention
a
Act of 2012 is mandated to protect the citizens.
b. 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 exploit sexual
activities.
In relation to cybercrime, Republic Act No. 9775, or the
Anti-Child Pornography Ac of 2009, this has become a
pressing concern of this generation.

CHILD
C. Substance Use and Abuse
 refers to below eighteen (18) years and over,
Alcohol and tobacco
who is unable for self- protection due to:
- are gateway drugs
physical or mental disability/condition.
- when consumed, the central nervous system is
 could also be a person: Regardless of age who
affected
is presented, depicted or portrayed as a child
- a person is more vulnerable to doing
as defined herein; Computer-generated
dangerous acts because of depressed decision-
digitally or manually crafted images or
making skills.
graphics of a person who is represented or
who is made to appear to be a child as defined
Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act herein.
2003
Child Pornography may also be syndicated if there are
- restricts access sales to minors; must not be three (3) or more persons confederating with one
sold within 100 meters of a school; and another.
protects people from the sale, use and
o The abused;
advertisements.
o parents/guardians;
- bans smoking in the public places. The use of a
o relative of the victim within the third degree;
designated smoking area is mandated. On the
o officer or social worker/DSWD;
advertisement and promotion, health
o barangay chairman;
warnings should be included.
o law enforcement officer or at least three (3)
concerned responsible citizens in the same
place where the pornography occurs;
D. Social Health o a person who is knowledgeable of the law may
do so as the complainant. When identified, the
victim is subject to care, custody and
Peer influence also concerns you as
treatment from the DSWD.
adolescents. You are in the developing stage wherein
you build lasting relationship with peers. Here are
some issues that you may encounter:
c. Hazing
Fraternities and sororities, gangs, and social
groups are starting to become 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 maybe;
 an option to test an "applicant's" willingness
and commitment.
 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
 penalizes those who will go too far during
initiation rites wherein the "applicant" is
subjected to severe physical and emotional
pain and suffering
d. Blood Donation
Being proactive citizens of the country, you
must willingly help others 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
 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, 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
e. 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 of policies most
appropriate to address these concerns:
1. Pollution
With the exponential, more resources are being
demanded and supplied to the people However,
people do not damage these resources properly. Thus,
pollution arises.
Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental
Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
- promotes environmental awareness through
environmental education.
 DSWD, DOST, and DENR (educational
agencies, 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 human in
conservation, protection and rehabilitation of
resources, and sustainable deployment
through the environment.
 In addition, environmental education shall also
be part of the National Service Training
Program (NSTP).
2. Road Safety
Road accidents
- 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 1999
- aims secure and safeguard passengers and
drivers of motor vehicle from injuries and
other effects of vehicular accidents.
 - includes the mandatory of wearing seat belts
by the driver and front seat passenger of
running motor vehicle.
- prohibits children from sitting in the front seat
of any motor vehicle.
Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and
Drugged Driving Law
- penalizes those who will be caught driving
under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and
other similar substance.
-
e. Safety in the Environment
- Republic Act No. 9512 or the National
Environmental Awareness and Education Act
of 2008
- Republic Act No. 8750 or the Seat Belts Use
Act 1999
- Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and
Drugged Driving Law
- AIDS Prevention and Control Act

The government also puts its effort to destroy sex-

related diseases. Most especially AIDS. This is one of
the major health problems that Filipinos are facing in
this generation.

AIDS Prevention and Control Act

- promulgates policies and prescribes measures
to control this problem.
- Patients who are suffering from this sickness
deserve confidentiality and programs for anti-
discriminatory acts in the workplace, hospitals,
and other public institution.

ALL THE LAWS MENTION ABOVE:

a. Consumer Health
- Republic Act No. 7394 or as the Consumer Act
of the Philippines
- Consumer Act 8424 or the Traditional and
Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 (TAMA)

b. Reproductive Health
- Republic Act 10354 or Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
- Republic Act No. 8504 or the Philippine AIDS
Prevention and Control Act of 1998

c. Substance Use and Abuse

- Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco
Regulation Act 2003

d. Social Health
- Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime
Prevention Act of 2012
- Republic Act No. 9775, or the Anti-Child
Pornography Ac of 2009
- Republic Act No.8949 or the Anti-Hazing Law
- Republic Act No. 7719 or the National Blood
Services Act of 1994