2. I. CONSUMERS 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
3. I. The Act aims to protect people against
hazards to health and safety, and
deceptive and unfair sales acts and
practices to achieve the objectives. In
this light, the policy mandates
information dissemination and education
to facilitate sound choice and proper
exercise of rights by the consumer.
4. I. 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
the 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 in appraising and
improving a person's well-being. Health services,
which are also covered under the Consumer Act, are
also availed by consumers. One form of health service
is complementary and alternative medicine.
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 by
developing 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. Different agencies shall give these medicinal
plant care. 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
country's said healthcare (Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
6. Here are the different forms of complementary and
alternative medicine approved by TAMA:
10. .
II. 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). With the
sudden physical and emotional changes in your
body, more and more questions are starting to
surface
11. Reproductive health is crucial for it paves the way for your social and
economic development. 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
(Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
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.
The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act 2012 builds
it foundation on four pillars. These are:
1. Responsible Parenthood
2. Respect for Life
3. Birth Spacing/Control
4. Informed Choice
12. 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 (Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
13. The main reasons why adolescents engage on premarital sex
would be the following:
1.Curiosity
Teenagers often engaging in premarital sex due to curiosity.
They want to experience something for fun and love at the
same time without thinking of the possible outcome. Most
teenagers are curious about everything specially in the
adolescence stage.
2.Lack of Parental Supervision
Teenagers who are less supervised by their parents due to
both parents are working full time may always take
advantage of premarital sex. They would have more time to
explore and practice premarital sex.
14. 3. Peer Pressure
In our country, most teenagers are paying more attention to their
peers. Whatever their friends have and experienced, they are
pressured to do the same thing or even more. If their friends can do it
so they can also. This is the common reason why teenagers engage in
premarital sex.
4.Puppy Love
Most of the teenagers tend to imagine and mature real fast. During
adolescence, teenagers would think that they have already matured
and found their true love, since it is the transition from childhood to
adulthood. The one that they would want to be with until they grow
old. However, the problem normally arises from this stage as most of
the teenagers do not practice safe sex and tend to get pregnant on an
early age.
15. 5.Ignorance or Lack of knowledge
Many schools offer guidance on students about safe sex and premarital sex, not
all are aware or can be able to go to school which is common to provincial areas
of our country and less fortunate children who cannot afford to go to school and
with less parental guidance. They tend to follow what they see or hear from the
adults without proper knowledge and the risk for doing 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). 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 (Luawalhati F. Callo et al., 2015). In this light, the government also puts
its efforts to eradicate these sex-relateddiseases, most especially AIDS
16. III. 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. There are several types of alcohol. These are
fermented beverages, distilled beverages, beer.wine. and liquor.
Where, the types of tobacco are cigarettes, cigars, dissolvables,
electronic cigarettes (Vape Pen, e-Hookah, Hookah Pen), traditional
smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and moist snuff), and
waterpipes (hookah, shisha, narghile, argileh)
17. 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.
18. 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 .
19. 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.
20. 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 (Lualhati F. Callo et
al., 2015).
21. 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, on a rotating basis o separately and
simultaneously, the following health warnings:
"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Cigarettes are Addictive";
"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Tobacco Can Harm your Children"; or
"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Smoking Kills.“
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 (Luwalhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
22. IV. 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
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 (Lualhati F.
Callo et al., 2015).
23. 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”.
24. “Childs” 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 ismade to appear to be a child as defined herein.
25. 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 (Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
26. 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 AntiHazing 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 (Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015).
27. 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:
28. 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
29. V. 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.
30. 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)
(Lualhati F. Callo et al., 2015)
31. 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 (Lualhati F.
Callo et al., 2015).
