Unit 2: Health Trends, Issues, and Concerns in the National Level

Identify the policy being described in each number. Choose from the box the letter of the correct answer in the table.

National Environmental Awareness and Education Act

1. Provides for the inclusion of environmental education programs in various national institutions
Tobacco Regulation Act
2. Supervises the legal production of cigarettes in the country
Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act
3. Provides assistance for the prevention and control of AIDS
Consumer Act
4. Provides for the regulation of products and services being sold and offered in the country

National Blood Services Act

5. Describes the blood donation program in the country
Anti-Hazing Law
6. Prohibits physical and emotional harm and abuse as initiation to a certain social group
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law
7. Penalizes vehicle drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
8. Provides for the regulation of narcotic and other related substances being sold/imported in the country
Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act
9. Identifies scientifically proven herbs as medicinal plants
Seat Belts Use Act
10. Penalizes vehicle users who will not wear safety belts while on the road
Anti-Child Pornography Act
11. Protects children from any malicious acts online
Cybercrime Prevention Act
12. Provides for criminal offenses committed online
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
13. Provides for maternal and child healthcare, family planning, and responsible parenthood

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

To achieve the objectives, the Act aims to protect people against hazards to health and safety, and deceptive
and unfair sales acts and practices. In this light, the policy mandates for information dissemination and education to
facilitate sound choice and proper exercise of rights by the consumer.
The Consumer Act also covers the quality and safety of different products like food, drugs, cosmetics, and
devices. The policy also 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.

In connection with the 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.
The policy also identifies medicinal plants in the country which are readily available. These medicinal plants shall be
given care by different agencies. In order to coordinate various activities and programs in the traditional and alternative
healthcare delivery system, the Act provisions the establishment of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and
Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of the said healthcare in the country.

Reproductive Health
. “Reproductive health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the
reproductive system, at all stages of life” (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
Reproductive health is crucial for it paves the way for your social and economic development.

To aid the reproductive health needs of the citizens, the government mandated the RA 10354 or most commonly
known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act. Get to know more about the Act by answering
the activity.
 PILLARS OF FOUNDATION
Pillar 1:
FREDOM IN 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 PARENTHOOD
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.

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.
66.7 percent and 79.6 percent did not use any protection at first premarital sex.

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).

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).

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.
 Importing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals (narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances)
 Selling, trading, administering, dispensing, delivering, distributing, and transporting dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort
 Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Manufacturing or delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs
and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Possessing dangerous drugs, equipment, instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia
 Possessing dangerous drugs during parties, social gatherings or meetings
 Cultivating or culturing plants classified as dangerous drugs or sources of such
 Unnecessary prescribing dangerous drugs
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.
 When it comes to advertising and promotions, the Act provisions the printing of warnings on cigarette packs in
either Filipino or English. In addition, health warnings should also be included.
 Lastly, the government should provide programs and projects for those who shall be affected by the passing of the
Act. One example of which are the tobacco growers. The Act provisions the establishment of a cooperative and
assistance program for the said people.

Social Health
Peer influence also concerns you as adolescents. You are in the developmental stage wherein you build lasting
relationships with peers. Here are some issues that you may encounter:
1. Cybercrime
“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
Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child 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).
“Child” refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or over, but is unable to fully take care of himself/herself
from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. For
the purpose of this Act, a child shall also refer to:
(1) a person regardless of age who is presented, depicted or portrayed as a child as defined herein; and
(2) computer-generated, digitally or manually crafted images or graphics of a person who is represented or who
is made to appear to be a child as defined herein.

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. 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
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, Act provisions the establishment of a Blood Services Network which consists 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
Safety in the Environment
1. Pollution
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.

R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances

R.A. 10351 Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products
R.A. 8172 Act on Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)
R.A. 7277 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons
R.A. 9994 Expanded Senior Citizens Act
R.A. 8371 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997