Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), author of House Bill 4589, said there is a need to enact a law to stop minors from drinking alcoholic beverages, which are the primary cause of violent crimes involving the youth. Citing the study of the World Health Organization (WHO), Cajayon said two out of ten Filipinos 15 to 18 years of age drink alcohol and are not content with only two bottles.
Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin, Chief of the Health Program Division of the Department of Health (DOH), said many Filipinos are binge drinkers, causing them to commit domestic violence, rape and physical abuse.
Cajayon also cited the report of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services saying that drinking can cause alcohol problems later and has become a major cause of death from injuries among young people.
The bill, to be known as the "Anti-Underage Drinking Act of 2011," imposes three months imprisonment and a fine of not less than P10,000 for violators.
For offenses committed by minors, the provision of Presidential Decree 603, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code, as amended shall be applied.
"Underage alcohol use increases the risk of carrying out, or being a victim of, physical or sexual assault, harm the growing brain especially when teens drink a lot, plays a role in risky sexual behavior which can increase the chance of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and affects how well a young person judges risks and makes sound decisions, among many other problems," Cajayon said.
"The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well being and shall undertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse and reduce underage drinking by prohibiting minors' access to alcohol," Cajayon added.
The bill will also penalize any person for misrepresentation of one's age by presenting false identification or otherwise represent themselves as being of legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Minors will also be prohibited from entering beer houses, videoke bars, night clubs, and/or any establishment that offers similar services, at any time and any day, whether or not they are in the company of their parents, guardians, elders or relatives.
The bill provides further that in addition to the revocation of the license to operate a business connected with the selling of alcoholic or intoxicating liquor or beverage if the violation is committed by a corporation, partnership, association or similar entity, the president, general manager or most senior officers shall be held liable for the offense.
"The harmful and hazardous use of alcohol and violence has indeed become key public health issues requiring urgent attention, hence it is imperative for the State to initiate proactive policies to curb alcohol consumption by children and teens, consistent with the mandate of the Constitution," Cajayon said.
source: http://www.congress.gov.ph
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