HEALTH ISSUES IN PHILIPPINES

1. Unit 2: Health Trends,
Issues, and Concerns

2. As an adolescent,
you experience
numerous health
issues that pertain to
your well-being.
What are some
examples of these
concerns?

3. NEW MAIL
1. What is the letter
sender’s dilemma?
2. What consumer right
is the letter sender
practicing?

4. CONSUMER HEALTH
 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

5.  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.

6. ALTERNATIVES

7. Reproductive Health
 Another pressing health issue that concerns
you as an adolescent is 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).

8.  With the sudden physical and emotional
changes in your body, more and more
questions are starting to surface. Reproductive
health is crucial for it paves the way for your
social and economic development.

9.  Furthermore, it has also a great influence in
the health of the next generation. The health
of newborn children will be dependent on the
health of the parents, particularly the mother.

10. Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act
 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.

11. PILLARS OF FOUNDATION
 The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act builds it foundation on four pillars.
1. Identify these pillars by unscrambling the
letters.
2. Read the provisions beside each pillar.

16.  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.

17.  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or
AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) which usually does not have
symptoms in its early stages.

18.  “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).

19.  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.
 In this light, the government also puts its efforts to
eradicate these sex-related diseases especially AIDS.

20. The Philippine AIDS Prevention and
Control Act
 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).

21.  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).

22. Substance Use and Abuse
 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.

23. The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs
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.

24. Unlawful acts that 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

25.  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

26. The Tobacco Regulation Act
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.

27.  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.

28.  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.

29.  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.

30. 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.

31. 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:

32. 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.

33. 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.

34.  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).

35. In addition, it is also important to note
how the Act defines a “child”.

36. The Term CHILD
 “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.

37.  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.

38. 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.

39. The Anti-Hazing Law
 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42.  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

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. The National Environmental
Awareness and Education Act
This Act promotes environmental
awareness through environmental
education. Various educational agencies,
DSWD, DOST, and DENR shall integrate
environmental education in their
curricula.

46. In addition, environmental
education shall also be part of the
National Service Training Program
(NSTP).

47.  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.

48. 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.

49. The Seat Belts Use Act
 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.

50.  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.

51. WE ARE DONE!