UNIT 2:

HEALTH TRENDS,
ISSUES, AND
CONCERNS IN THE
NATIONAL LEVEL
 HEALTH- RELATED LAWS
• CONSUMER ACT •R.A. 7394
• TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES ACT
•R.A.8423
• RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND
•R.A. 10354
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT
• PHILIPPINE AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL •R.A. 8504
ACT •R.A. 9165
• COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT •R.A. 9211
• TOBACCO REGULATION ACT
•R.A. 10175
• CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT
•R.A. 9775
• ANTI-CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ACT
• NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICES ACT •R.A. 7719
• ANTI-HAZING LAW •R.A. 8949
• NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS AND •R.A. 9512
EDUCATION ACT
•R.A. 8750
• SEAT BELTS USE ACT
•R.A. 10586
• ANTI-DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING LAW
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)